Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Yeah, Kevin does some amazing work. My biggest issue was being able to mount the rear trailing arms in a way that looked clean with the shape and dimensions my frame was. I just didnt want to have to mount them to a bracket that sticks off the side of the chassis. I am either going to widen and straighten out the chassis slightly behind the cab or use some DOM and heims for the trailing arms. Was also wondering if I would have any negative issues if I were to change the length/angles of the rear trailing arms. Anyone have any feedback on that?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Just subscribed. Not much I can say that hasn't already been said, except that I'm just screwin' around over on my build thread! A lot of trucks are gonna roll in this one's tire treads!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Signed up for the ride. Very nice work,
Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=576185&page=5

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Thanks guys. Hoping to get back on this soon. The frustrations with the rear half of the truck have been keeping me out of the garage. Might throw this stuff on a stock frame before its all done with. Ready for it to be a roller.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

What are you having frustrations with man? Is it the dog bone brackets?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

It was man. My thought process was just not on the right track. I got out there tonight and redid the rear half of the chassis, again.....

With the way it it right now I can mount the dog bone brackets directly to the side of the frame without any funky bracket, therefore giving me the look I wanted. I wound up putting it back to stock frame dimensions like it was to start with. Seems like sometimes I overthink things and do myself more harm than good. Hope to have it all together tomorrow. Then a couple crossmembers and it'll be ready to paint.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I hear ya on the thought process not being on the right track. You're not the only one. I'm getting good at doing things two or three times till I get it where it should be. It's only nuts and bolts and welding wire. Lets see some pics.

I'm not too far behind ya. I just picked up a C4 rear end.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Sorry man, no progress today, been sick as a dog... hopefully soon man. Hows your build coming along? I looked for your build thread with all the progress pictures, maybe I missed it somewhere?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Sick as a dog..........? Suck it up buttercup......! Even if I was in a full body cast, I'd be out in the shop working on the truck. Don't make them like they used to....! LOL!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Forgot a few comments to your questions. Build is coming along great. Cab repair is coming along good. Started filling some of the million holes in the frame in prep for the Vette IFS and IRS. I took lots of pics. I posted them all in my build thread.......Keep looking.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Oh ya! I sent you a pic of the cross member. What more progress pictures do I have to send ya? LoL!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hey Josh. Things good? Quick question. How much higher is the C notch you made in the rear of your frame?

Cheers!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

How much higher than what? Than factory? Give me a call tonight, I need to get you the info from the front crossmember we talked about the other day. Take care buddy.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Ya, higher than factory.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Awesome build Josh! Good to hear from you yesterday. If you need any more brackets cut, get with me. A good friend of mine owns a fab shop. I have access to a water jet and a plasma table.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Sounds great man, it was really good to hear from you as well. Its been a long time.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Man, not sure how I let this thing get three pages back. I finally broke down and bought a compressor for the garage, should help with the sand blasting, sanding, etc. I had to fab a couple brackets to mount the lower dog bone brackets about 2" under the rear of my chassis. With my dog bones mounted at the correct angles if they were mounted directly through the side of the frame then my ride height was way lower than I wanted. Ill try to get them finished up and post some pics of that this weekend. After that Ill get to mounting my 5.3/4l60 so I can get my mounts and crossmembers made than its time to paint the chassis. :devil:

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

just got off the phone with the fine gentleman at flat out engineering. Front coil overs and upper and lower mounts are ordered and will be here next week.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

That will be cool....really enjoying the build Stockish.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Right on Josh! What springs did you end up ordering? That's cool that they sold you the upper and lower shock mounts. Keep in touch my southern buddy.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

coilovers from flat out arrived on Friday. Spend some time in the garage today with my little man for fathers day. Got the rear batwing brackets made and mocked up.need to build a couple cross members and it will finally be a roller! :metal:

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Few pics of the progress this weekend.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

You're rockin' & rollin' now!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Looks good....Jim

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Thanks fellas. Ordered a blast cabinet so I can get all my suspension cleaned up and installed. Looking forward to more progress this coming week.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Nice Josh! What model or part number did you go with for the coil overs?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I went with the Aldan Eagle ones from Flat Out. They are the non polished with black springs.Part #7000 I think. Didn't want the high polished to stand out so much.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

looks great....

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Dang dude, this is pretty cool! I'm going to be doing a 2x4 tube chassis for my '57 next spring or so, but I have a Jaguar IRS & IFS going in. Actually, the Jag IFS is already in the stock frame...MUCH easier than the 'vette stuff!

I did a 5.3/4L60E in my '69 Suburban last year, and the one BIG take-away is that the 4L60E is a pile of trash. I mean, it's about the best auto trans you can get, but it's still an auto trans. My suggestion is to sell it off and get a stick. With your 3.07 rear gear, a T-56 won't do you any favors with the high 1st gear, so go with a NV3500. Low 1st gear, good overdrive, and the same 83mm shaft spacing as the T-56, which give it inherent strength by design, regardless of what 'rating' it has for torque. As long as you don't do 4000rpm clutch dumps or clutch less shifts, it will last forever behind a 5.3.

Anyways...if there are any big Mid-Atlantic shows coming up this fall or next spring, it would be cool to meet up and bench race or at least drink some beers.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

your project sounds awesome. I look forward to seeing more of it. I think I will stick with the 4l60e. If I can make them last behind 700 horsepower turbo LS motor I think it'll be fine in a stock 5.3

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

So its finally a roller!! :metal: I am going to take it to work and put it on the alignment machine and make sure it is alignable before I go any further with the chassis. Im sure it will be fine but I figured better safe than sorry. Man it looks 4x4 without the running boards, etc... :lol: Final ride height will be the same as the second picture.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Looks awesome!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Congrats! That's a big step in the build process.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Read your intire build.. Like your chassis a lott.
That will be a good looking chassis when the paint is on..:metal:

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Thanks for the compliments guys. I really appreciat it.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Josh, nice job...Jim

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Killer progress on the chassis! :metal:

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

congrats, looking good.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Right on my southern trucker! Looks awesome! Afraid to show off your rear end? I know you were trying to come up with a way to mount the dog bone brackets to the frame without them looking odd. What did you come up with?

Cheers dude!

I know what your gonna say, I will before you do. Been busy putting hay in the barn, parents moving into a new house, kids done school for the summer..........etc. I've been tinker'in but these door gaps and outer cowls are giving me a fit.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Sid, I actually just used the factory dog bone bracket(slightly modded) and welded it to the side of the chassis. I was tired of messing with it. LOL. Look forward to getting backon it soon.