55.2-59 Flatout Engineering Reference Thread

[daveshilling]

There are a bunch of good tips and details in here around installing Flatout Engineering Front and Rear Kits in Task Force Trucks and I think it would be really helpful to lump some information in one place.

I'll kick things off, and anyone else who has completed builds or is in progress, please contribute! That way a search only need reveal this thread.

Some things I've learned so far:

IFS:

The 84-87 Corvette suspension is 1" narrower thank later years BUT it allows you to run 15 inch wheels with factory brakes. Trust me when I tell you that 15 inch wheels are the magic size. Cheaper, easier to find used, way more options. If you don't want huge wheels, get the 84-87 Corvette front.

The 84-87 IFS has a feature where you can flip the lower coilover mount around to lower the front more if desired. The 88-96 cannot do this.

The fluid lines on the Steering rack are going to end up interfering with your new shallow F body / CTSV oil pan. You can resolve this by "clocking" the rack housing. Check out this thread to see how: http://www.trifivechevys.com/showthr...nversion-frame . Afterwards you will have some space for the front of the pan above the rack and you wont squish the fluid lines. Flatout also sells racks pre-clocked for you at $600 a pop.

If you want to run big wheels, get the 88-96 IFS, it comes with larger brakes, and they can easily be upgraded to C5 brakes as well.


Builds with IFS Installs:



Custom Frame - AZ Hank http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653539

Wutnxt: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=527123

Fabguy (4" hole saw for the front notch is so simple): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=588408&page=3

QBRacing: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=730111


IRS:

Nowhere is it mentioned that the Flatout rear kits are designed for shortbeds only. If you have a longbed, you will have to sort out your own measurements since the instructions are based off of distances from the end of the frame. Additionally, the boxing plates supplied by Flatout will not fit the taller frame, so you might as well buy some sheet metal, or plan to rebuild the rear frame section.

The IRS kit is designed to be a no-cut kit, so your truck will have a serious rake to it since the suspension cannot be tucked up very far into the frame. Some guys like this, many have reworked the rear frame to allow the rear end to drop down and get a more subtle angle. If you do not want a 2.5 degree rake towards the front, plan on modifying the rear frame. You have about an inch of space underneath the bed to play with before you would need to raise the bed.

Builds with IRS Installs:


Custom Frame - AZ Hank http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653539

Frame modified in rear- Wutnxt: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=527123

Fabguys modified rear solution (Didn't use the Flatout kit but its relevant): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=588408&page=2

QBRacing: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=730111



Okay, somebody go next and add their wisdom and relevant links!

[Kevin_C]

Perfect timing for this thread. I believe I ran into the taller frame on the long bed arches (First time I heard of it)as my cross support brackets appear to be 3/4" too short. I'm waiting to hear back from Don but I may either add some spacers or cut some plate stock and weld on the side plates. Not a big deal but it was unexpected.

As for the ride height and rake Don told me that the kit adds about one inch of rake front to back. If your running staggered wheels or much taller rear tires than the rake may be greater. My current plan is to run 18's front and back so I don't think it will be that drastic of a rake for me

[Kevin_C]

Oh one more thing on the longbed I had to move the stock crossmember back a bit which doesn't seem to be the case for the short beds.

[55_truck]

Kevin, What is your frame width measurement? can you take a pic of overall width? Also what cross member did you move and by how much? Thanks

[Kevin_C]

So I spoke with Don and it seems like I may have a 3200 frame or 3/4 ton? Its the section that has the arch leading up to the Center line that is a little taller than a short box. Either way its not a huge deal. the Flat out brackets are 4.5" tapering down to 3.5" On my frame it appears that I need 3/4" taller so i'll fab up some spacers. the factory cross member that I drilled out was just removing the 4 rivets and moving it back about an inch.

Once I straighten that out I will mock up some shock bars and determine ride height before drilling my upper shock mounts