Frame Support

[Irish's_79_Step]

I've been looking through this forum with many different key words and have not found anything for what i'm looking for. I have a 79 swb stepside and i am planning on putting some serious power through it at a later date. somewhere in the range of 800 hp. but i have the frame off now. and would like to not have to take the cab off again. so my question is that if anyone is running what they consider high power or a drag truck with original frame did they put in supports or what would be the best idea. i want a good looking fast truck when i'm done and with what i'm planning on putting into it i dont want to wreck it. so any info would be helpful. thanks in advance.

[Matt Man]

you could box the frame but i dont think it's worth it just put good suspension parts on it. maybe 4 link the rear end too?

[Irish's_79_Step]

i'm just worried about torquing the frame after dumping a lot of money into it. i dont quite understand a four link rear i'll look into that. i was also thinking of traction bars. and doing a 2.5/4 in drop (front and rear respectively)

[Drzronnie]

With 800hp you will need a 4 link if you wanna move. I had a 88 long box that I built a 383 for and on paper it made about 400hp but I have nothing to back that up. With the leafs it would just spin and spin. When we boxed the frame and put a 4 link in it would still spin but not nearly as much and would take off pretty straight. I would personally back half the truck. Good luck.

[Irish's_79_Step]

back half? sorry i'm extremely new to this all. just now figuring stuff out.

[OJOE]

Originally Posted by Irish's_79_Step

back half? sorry i'm extremely new to this all. just now figuring stuff out.

then please explain your 800 hp engine

[Irish's_79_Step]

cant seem to find them right now but about 3 months back i found a web site that seemed very credible. they siad they had a supercharged 383 pushing around 750 and joe just so you know you come off very arrogant and demeaning

[Irish's_79_Step]

http://www.amerspeed.com/cgi-bin/sho...EngineTypeID=5

It was 650. not 750 like a thought.

[Drzronnie]

A back half is a new rear frame section and suspension like you would typically see on a tubbed drag car or even a frame that has been boxed, c-notched, and having a 4 link like you would see on a bagged truck.

[Drzronnie]

I forgot to add, I had built a 383 a few years back with a summit rotating assy. and a nice tpi setup. It was in a 88 Chevy long box and ran quite well, i pulled about 15 mpg with 3.55 gears and a 700r. Well to get to the point a local speed shop had hired a mobile dyno and we ran the truck. It made 379hp at the wheels, doesn't sound like a lot but trust me it was. If you go up to 600 or so you will just have a unreliable truck that you cant drive much which js fine if thats what you want but wheres the fun in that?

[oldschool18]

here is a side look at a triangler 4link.........and 650 hp is a lot.......I wasnt going to drag it on a close course I wouldnt go that big......but thats me

[Drzronnie]

Originally Posted by oldschool18

here is a side look at a triangler 4link.........and 650 hp is a lot.......I wasnt going to drag it on a close course I wouldnt go that big......but thats meAttachment 552671

Hmmmmmmmmm............You got me thinking now about building a 4 link off of my front spring hangers. Looks good.

[spinem]

you will be looking at a FULL boxed frame.

I suggest you look into 3-link and 4 link systems... some allow the truck to squat /w/ g forces, some pick the back of the truck up for more traction and more true lines. Before you even begin thinking about touching a welder, you need to sit down and go over your finances, how fast can i make this happen? what happens if i loose an a arm and go into a wall? will the loan company take my house? what are the rules of my local track? what type of steel is the most strongest, how much and where can i find a ford 9? and most of all, is this a serious project?, or a soon to be Craigslist swoop...ALSO... TRANSMISSIONS!!! $$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!

stock frame /w/ 800 ponies will twist and tear like a twistie... or be a hunk of lead /w/ the amount of re-enforcements that will be needed.

dont get mad at joe. he has a point. you cant run before you walk.

[Irish's_79_Step]

well i wanted to keep the truck as stock as possible. so i think i'll just build up my 400 sbc and we'll take it from there if need be later. but as to the last post. if this isnt a serious build my friend will literally kill me. I already destroyed a camaro, by not being to serious about it. so this one is being done right. also i'd like to apologize to joe, i'm used to being on edge so i take things wrong sometimes.

[Drzronnie]

You can make a 400 run its a$$ off so you already have a great start.