Back-half, Corvette C4 in 69

[PBFAB.COM]

Here's some pics of a back-half, C4 install we're doing in a 69 C10. It will lay frame and have a pair of Air Ride Technologies Shockwaves canti-levered. I also have a nice before pic.

[Shane]

sa-weet

[Rokcrln]

Now we are talking So a few questions for ya. Does the frame need to be lopped off due to the width or just because of the third member being raised up? How much higher is the flor at this point if it were in place? You do know the more pics you put up the sooner I may have to drive over and check your place out! Any chance you will be doing a kit for this? It would go real nice with your front Dropmember..

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Now we are talking So a few questions for ya. Does the frame need to be lopped off due to the width or just because of the third member being raised up? How much higher is the flor at this point if it were in place? You do know the more pics you put up the sooner I may have to drive over and check your place out! Any chance you will be doing a kit for this? It would go real nice with your front Dropmember..

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I lopped off the frame because of the width, and because of the third member being raised. It seems easier (to me) to build a new back-half than modify the stock chassis to accomodate the extreme drop. The top of the new frame-rails sit four inches higher than the original floor height. I hadn't thought of offering it in a kit form... do you want one?

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I lopped off the frame because of the width, and because of the third member being raised. It seems easier (to me) to build a new back-half than modify the stock chassis to accomodate the extreme drop. The top of the new frame-rails sit four inches higher than the original floor height. I hadn't thought of offering it in a kit form... do you want one?

That all makes gopd sence! As far as a kit for me, all my kits come like yours do (In 20' lengths from the steel co). I just knew it would be asked so I thought I would get it out their. But in reality if you were to offer a Jig built back half I think it would take off.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[onehot69stepside]

I like the design of the reinforcement where it ties into the frame. I also like your miter cut gussetting. Lookin sweet!

[67Fleet]

That's pretty sweet looking. Very impressive welds too.

[JayG]

Beautiful work! In the far future I'd like to do that to my '67 for some Open Road Racing. The welding and brackets are very classy.

[PBFAB.COM]

Got a little more done on it today.

[PBFAB.COM]

A couple more pics.

[Rokcrln]

Very impressive!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[67Fleet]

That's gonna ride like a dream. Keep the progress pics coming.

[Frizzle Fry]

Getting your $$$ back out of that CNC plasma cutter huh?!?! So very nice! Wondering what the rear bed cross-sill will rest on, but I'm sure it's all planned out. Keep the pics rollin'.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Getting your $$$ back out of that CNC plasma cutter huh?!?! So very nice! Wondering what the rear bed cross-sill will rest on, but I'm sure it's all planned out. Keep the pics rollin'.

You will find out soon enough about how we mount the bed... and you better believe it about the CNC plasma! I don't think anything could get done without it! I used to do the hand plasma and grind thing when I first started out, but I was never satisfied with the end result... never could get it "perfect" or close enough to where it didn't keep me from sleeping at night! I am one of those who holds myself to an extremely high standard.

Here's a couple more pics of the back-half minus bed and body. We still have to finish up the shockwave and canti-lever mounts (It would have been done by now if I had remembered to re-stock on plate!) It shows how low it can go!

[1972C10]

That C4 Stuff Doenst Seem Near As Heavy Duty As The Old C3's

[Rokcrln]

That is looking great! What is the front suspention set up?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

That is looking great! What is the front suspention set up?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

The front end is a Dropmember.

[QKENUF4U]

not into the whole "bag" thing but you do some REALLY NICE WELDS and love the signature ya left at the back of the frame

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

not into the whole "bag" thing but you do some REALLY NICE WELDS and love the signature ya left at the back of the frame

You can always run coil overs or the stock mono leaf!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

not into the whole "bag" thing but you do some REALLY NICE WELDS and love the signature ya left at the back of the frame

"Bags" aren't for everybody! We are doing a full C4 set-up on a 71 Blazer that will not be bagged. It will have coil-overs up front, and either mono-leaf or coil-ovrs in the rear. Hopefully we will get to the chassis on it in the next month or two (most likely 2!).

[Rokcrln]

A few more questions for you if you don't mind. With the vett set up out back what size tire/rim combo will fit between the bed lip and forward control links while still laying frame? Also if you can please explain to us theadvantage of this set up over a solid axel. Handling, bed floor clearance at same givin heights, tire size!

Thanks for your time. Also you have two packages headed your way

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

A few more questions for you if you don't mind. With the vett set up out back what size tire/rim combo will fit between the bed lip and forward control links while still laying frame? Also if you can please explain to us theadvantage of this set up over a solid axel. Handling, bed floor clearance at same givin heights, tire size!

Thanks for your time. Also you have two packages headed your way

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I have not measured the max width tire/wheel combo we can fit back there yet. The new bed-sides and bed pieces will be here next week. I do know that I am running a 295 40R 20 on the blue 55 with a 20x10 and 7" backspacing. At full dump the tire is 1/16" (and that's a generous spec!) away from the stock upper link mounting bolt (the tires toe-in hard at full dump). We will be building our own links on this truck to make clearances a little more acceptable! Advantages to an IRS are all performance. It's true that a strait-axle can handle exceptionally well if set-up properly, but the function of an independently suspended rear is obvious. Advantages are gained in cornering, each wheel is allowed to react independently. As for bed floor clearance, the top of the framerail (2x4) sets 4" above the stock bed floor, and the frame lays on the groud with a 29" tall tire (to achieve this, new tie-rod links are made that relocate to the bottom side of the spindle, or rear hub, whatever you want to call it. If you want to keep stock tie-rod linkage, notch the frame a little, or move the whole thing up an inch). One main advantage to those of us who are afraid of heights and like to minimize the space between our frame-rails and the pavement is that the rear wheels camber in during bump (compression). This allows more clearance at the fender lip, minimizing bed hacking, and maximizing tire width! Besides, how cool is it when all four wheels are cambered in at full dump!!!!

[valleycustom]

I love your work!

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

...to achieve this, new tie-rod links are made that relocate to the bottom side of the spindle, or rear hub, whatever you want to call it.

I thought of this thread when I saw this:

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

A few more questions for you if you don't mind. With the vett set up out back what size tire/rim combo will fit between the bed lip and forward control links while still laying frame? Also if you can please explain to us theadvantage of this set up over a solid axel. Handling, bed floor clearance at same givin heights, tire size!

Thanks for your time. Also you have two packages headed your way

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, but one huge advantage of using an IRS like this C4 is the fact that the driveshaft stays stationary as the suspension goes through its travel. One huge obstacle when putting any vehicle on the ground (when they are equipped with a straight axle) is having to clearance everything for the driveshaft.
And Kevin, the step in the framerails are LESS with the C4 than a straight axle (by at least 4"), minimizing the amount the floor will have to be raised. You were right the whole time !