1956 Chevy 3100 Corvette Suspension

[murd969]

Here's what I started with.

[Larry Lindley]

thats a good truck to start with,appears in very good shape not many are like this one,and welcome from TX.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a decent start.
Kim

[Dan in Pasadena]

So other than the title of your thread, what's the plan?

[murd969]

The truck needed more work than it looked like. I have replaced the doors, hood, bed, core support and all kinds of other things.

[murd969]

I will try and get some pics up of what has been done so far.

[murd969]

...

[murd969]

I ended up having a custom frame built. I used a corvette c4 front and rear suspension with a custom 4-link in the rear.

[murd969]

I also had all motor mounts mocked up with my motor and Ididit steering column.

[murd969]

For the motor I have a 400 SBC. This was completely gone through. All machine work..bored .60 with roller rockers. I plan on running a 700r4 transmission with it as well.

[murd969]

The stance on the truck looks perfect. This picture is with no weight on it but with it all together it should sit just right.

[murd969]

Here are some random pics of the suspension. Once everything is test fitted it will all be broken down and the suspension will be polished and the frame will be powder coated.

[murd969]

Right now the cab is at the body shop. A lot of metal work is being done. Cab corners are being redone. Dash, cowl, dome light and firewall are being smoothed. Here is the current pic of the can before it went to the body shop.

[murd969]

I have had to replace a ton of stuff: Doors, inner/outer cab corner, hood, inner fenders, core support, complete bed and a new frame. I also have the one piece window kit for the doors plus a ton of other parts that I will eventually need.

[Kim57]

This is shaping up to be a real nice build. Keep the pics coming.
Kim

[shadow1967]

Originally Posted by murd969

The stance on the truck looks perfect. This picture is with no weight on it but with it all together it should sit just right.

Most 4 link for corvettes are @12-14". Yours appear tobe 35-40", looking at the pic. How come so long? Just looking for info, thinking of put one in my 38 sedan.

[murd969]

My 4-link bars are 30 inches. We did it longer to help get a better ride and to limit the pinion angle when there's suspension travel. Also if I ever wanted to put air bags on it I wouldn't have to change up too much.

[duwem]

What size frame rails did you use to make the frame (width, height, thickness)

Thanks

[murd969]

The truck was originally swapped on a full size frame. They did a horrible job so I picked up an original frame. That frame turned out to be slightly bent in the rear. Plus the original frames had all of the holes in it. I finally had enough and had a new one built. We used 2" x 4" square steel tubing and it's 3/16" thick.

[shadow1967]

Thanks for the info!

[_Ogre]

good looking truck to start with.
nice work on your frame

[murd969]

Here are some more random pics from the body shop. The cab has been there for a while. I'm having all kinds of work done.

[murd969]

And some more

[murd969]

Some newer pictures from the body shop. Smoothed firewall and fitting the driver door with the new step.

[Kabwe]

Really nice looking project.