1955 (2nd gen) first timer..

[samples45]

Okay guys i got the c4 k member in. first off it sits a little higher than i wanted..i can get it down lower but the k member to the ground clearance is about 4 to 5 inches off the ground, is that bad? I also gotta figure out about doin a c notch in the rear because its about 3 to 4 inches higher than the front. any advice please?

[samples45]

When i put my bed on to mock up the rearend and see how low it sits i noticed this gap.. Is this normal?? It doesnt look right to me..

[BIGglaSS]

Originally Posted by samples45

Okay guys i got the c4 k member in. first off it sits a little higher than i wanted..i can get it down lower but the k member to the ground clearance is about 4 to 5 inches off the ground, is that bad? I also gotta figure out about doin a c notch in the rear because its about 3 to 4 inches higher than the front. any advice please?

Looking good!
According to GM specs, stock C4 kmember ground clearance is 5". I like them low. The transplants I have seen with rear C4, sit too high, unless you notch them.

[samples45]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Looking good!
According to GM specs, stock C4 kmember ground clearance is 5". I like them low. The transplants I have seen with rear C4, sit too high, unless you notch them.

Thanks man! I guess I'm just gonna leave it where it's at.. From my rockers to the ground is about 5 inches and k-member is closer to 4 really. Wish I would of mounted it up higher in the frame rails but no Turning back now! I'm gonna be running adjustable coil overs so I got some play there. On the rearend I'm gonna have to notch it I don't like the rake being that high! Hope I can't keep from bottoming out all the dang time!

[BIGglaSS]

I have read here that 5" rocker clearance is a good height. I'd leave the front there. Definitely notch the back so you don't have the stink bug stance. I saw a 56 yesterday that was mile high in the back and about 4" in front. Looked awful. Take a look at Newmans frame. They give it a slight notch in the front and back.
http://www.newmancarcreations.com/trucks/

Not sure about your bed gap. Can't really tell from that pic. There is not much gap on mine.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
I like them low also and more of a level stance just a little lower in the front.
Kim

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks good.
I like them low also and more of a level stance just a little lower in the front.
Kim

Thanks Kim! Do you think the k member is to low to the ground? You can see in the picture that I have two 3X3 square tubing and the k member is pretty much on it maybe a half an inch higher then the tubbing? If I raise it up the truck is just to high for me. Any advice? Think I'll be okay there?

[samples45]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

I have read here that 5" rocker clearance is a good height. I'd leave the front there. Definitely notch the back so you don't have the stink bug stance. I saw a 56 yesterday that was mile high in the back and about 4" in front. Looked awful. Take a look at Newmans frame. They give it a slight notch in the front and back.
http://www.newmancarcreations.com/trucks/

Not sure about your bed gap. Can't really tell from that pic. There is not much gap on mine.

As I told Kim, i have a 5 inch rocker clearance now but my k member is pretty low that's a 3x3 squat tubing under the k member.. What do you think?

[ptc]

I dont see any shocks on your arms? If that is the lowest point with no shocks then it will raise when you add shocks and springs. And you are right the height will be adjustable with coil overs. You should do that with them in place.

The other thing is your engine weight is going to counteract that measurement also....

[samples45]

Originally Posted by ptc

I dont see any shocks on your arms? If that is the lowest point with no shocks then it will raise when you add shocks and springs. And you are right the height will be adjustable with coil overs. You should do that with them in place.

The other thing is your engine weight is going to counteract that measurement also....

Your right I haven't mounted the coilovers yet.. Before I weld on the upper brakets and determine how tall my shocks should be I wanted to mock it up to see.. I'm not sure how to go about setting this all up I guess.. I've never done it before and probably over thinking it lol

[corvettruck]

Here's what I did for motor mounts, , cut the old mounts out, had to fab the drivers side to move it forward to clear the steering shaft on the rack. I also notched the top of the frame for the stock upper a arms to clear the top of the frame, then boxed it all in, sorry I have not measured k member clearance, lower a arms are parallel to the ground

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by samples45

Thanks Kim! Do you think the k member is to low to the ground? You can see in the picture that I have two 3X3 square tubing and the k member is pretty much on it maybe a half an inch higher then the tubbing? If I raise it up the truck is just to high for me. Any advice? Think I'll be okay there?

I think you will be all right where it's at. you may try and find out what the height is on a stock vette of that year.
Motor mounts look real nice.
Kim

[samples45]

Originally Posted by corvettruck

Here's what I did for motor mounts, , cut the old mounts out, had to fab the drivers side to move it forward to clear the steering shaft on the rack. I also notched the top of the frame for the stock upper a arms to clear the top of the frame, then boxed it all in, sorry I have not measured k member clearance, lower a arms are parallel to the ground

Did you weld the motor mounts to the k member?? thats what it looks like but can only see where its bolted to the motor and not how its on the k member.

on the k member there was a flat piece on both sides where it bolted under the stock vette frame, I shaved those off so i could slid the member straight up in the frame rails. i weleded the member to 2x3 tubing and welded the tubing to the frame. i made 4 thick plates that i welded to the frame, the tubing, and the member. if you look at my picture you can kinda see how i did it.. ill get some better ones up. but i didnt have to notch the upper frame for the arms becuase my member sits high enough becuase of that i had to notch the lower part of the frame for rack and sway bar and i used 2x2 tubing with some gussets and boxed the frame in the front and from the member to the front cab mounts. I also have some tubing inside the frame that is welded like harvey did is.. its really soid and probably over did it but its not goin anywhere lol. my bottom arms are level but my upper arms are not.. not sure if i need to make any adjuments anywhere for that? or is that okay??

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Kim57

I think you will be all right where it's at. you may try and find out what the height is on a stock vette of that year.
Motor mounts look real nice.
Kim

after work i went out in the shop and noticed right off i made a 23 year old rookie mistake.. lol the reason my k member was sitting so low the truck was so much higer in the back is becuase i had jack stands under the rear... lol i lowered them down and now my k member is 5 inches off the ground and my rockers are 5 inches off the ground.. i am gonna have to figure something out on the rear as far as the c notch goes.. i felt like a complete dummy when i figured this out.. oh well im just a kid!! lol

[Advanced Design]

Well, we all learn more from mistakes. I am 53 and still learning all the time!

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Well, we all learn more from mistakes. I am 53 and still learning all the time!

I hear ya! I had some jack stands under the frame but it was inside the bed so they were out of sight.. Forgot I put them there.. And that was making the rake so terrible.. My k member was 3 inches off the ground with my rockers at 5. Loward the rear down and that made my rockers at 3 inches so I javked the front up now my k member is at 5 and my rockers are maybe a little under 5 inches. I know when I put coilovers on and the motor in its gonna change some but I was doin this mock up in hopes that when I put the motor in I can keep the stance I have now! Not sure though.. I'm gonna have adjustable coil overs so hopefully I can adjust them to get this stance.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by samples45

my bottom arms are level but my upper arms are not.. not sure if i need to make any adjuments anywhere for that? or is that okay??

Not sure on the corvette stuff, but most front-ends the lower arms are level and the uppers fall wherever. Maybe someone else will chime in, that has more knowledge than me...Jim

[Advanced Design]

I agree with Jim. The lower control arm should be level with the earth at ride height and weight. The angle of the upper arm is a result of the control arm bushing mounting point, which in this case I believe is stock Corvette.

[corvettruck]

I agree with the 2 above, level front to back , shoot for level side to side fully loaded. I did weld the mounts to the K member, here are a couple of better shots

[hp1957]

Cameron, My K member 4in at ride height. Check out my post #60. If you're close to 4in on your K member at ride height, sitting good.

Harvey
1957 Chevy Stepside
1958 GMC Fleetside C4 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=535686&page=6

[samples45]

Thanks guys! Havent posted anything in while, I have two shops at my place and i was working in the smaller shop. I have been busy moving everything to the much much bigger shop! I will start back on the truck when i get everything moved!

[samples45]

Got everything moved over to the bigger shop and got some work done. finished the c4 front end



Now i gotta mock up the motor mounts to weld in.. gotta make sure my steering and everthing will be okay.. i also havent finished the rearend..i had to change the tailshaft housing on my 700r4 so i could have a mount for it.. this is when my head starts hurting!

[hp1957]

Cameron, I'm running RideTech ShockWaves: Front 14.2in part RQ # 24040101, Rear 14.2in part RQ # 24040801 cost 700.00 a pair, total with auto level sensors around 3,500.00. Shop around for the best prices.

Harvey
1957 Chevy Stepside
1958 GMC Fleetside C4 build thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=535686&page=5

[murd969]

hp1957 I'm running the C4 suspension with the HQ series shockwaves with the accuair e level kit. I can't wait to get it on. How do you like the bags?

[samples45]

Originally Posted by hp1957

Cameron, I'm running RideTech ShockWaves: Front 14.2in part RQ # 24040101, Rear 14.2in part RQ # 24040801 cost 700.00 a pair, total with auto level sensors around 3,500.00. Shop around for the best prices.

Harvey
1957 Chevy Stepside
1958 GMC Fleetside C4 build thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=535686&page=5

Thats a little steep for me harvey! lol