1958 SWB C4 Fleetside - NZ Build

[Rickysnickers]

Nice!!

[57FleetsideC4]

Very nice work!! Steve

[QBRacing]

Here is a YOUTUBE VIDEO which shows the deck and further explains the above bits

It also shows the
fuel breather and roll over valve,
Number plate lights, reverse lamp, number plate
Hood support braces
Under tray battery brackets

[QBRacing]

Speedway motors billet aluminium fuel trap door review.

So I bought one of these to finish of the bed of my fleetside because I think it looks awesome.....

I now think thats all it has going for it. Once fitted the actual usable opening is about 3.5" * 4" max and even my skinny mits have problems getting into the hole. Also, be prepared to mess with the spring catch which doesnt work half the time and be prepared to modify the bracket it fits to

Finish 10/10
Fit 4/10
Overall, 6/10

I made this quick VIDEO to explain more.

[QBRacing]

I knew the rear toe and camber was bad but thought I could dial it out.... how wrong was I

With the C4 Corvette rear end when installed and at the ride height I wanted I had about 5 degrees rear camber once installed. I used the C4 rear camber adjustment but could only get it down to 3 degrees.

In NZ our modified vehicle rules state you can run 0.5 degrees more than factory or a max of 1.5 degrees. Oops. Guess I will need some adjustable rear arms to dial that out.

Also I noticed that the rear tie rod arm has bottomed out on the chassis and bent it to hell. Lucky it didn't break I guess. Anyways I have ordered the Flatout toe kit to fix this and recommend if you want to stay low that this is a must as the only other way to fix both issues is to raise the rear about 50mm and run some serious rake

VIDEO HERE which may explain it better.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by QBRacing

In NZ our modified vehicle rules state you can run 0.5 degrees more than factory or a max of 1.5 degrees.

Seems kind of silly. What's the point of the rule/law?

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Seems kind of silly. What's the point of the rule/law?

might be like the USA, some states have the same law because of the onikyan cars that are popping up. the tire shop i visit has a pile of ruined low profile tires from the 15 degree camber imports.

[QBRacing]

Well the rear end is now fully reassembled again and ready to be dropped on the rear wheels.

THIS VIDEO shows my newly made adjustable rear control arms and my newly bought Flatout Engineering rear adjustable toe kit.

The video doesn't show it installed but the final picture does.

Looks so good

[springm]

Originally Posted by QBRacing

Today's update comes courtesy of covid boredom

I splashed out and bought some Altman door catches which I air freighted in and even with all the lockdown rubbishbonly took 10 days to arrive. The courier even put them straight in the garage (contactless) which was great.

When I got home and was able to inspect the package I was immediately worried as the bix had suffered damage so to work I went.... and as expected the main support panels were both damaged. 1 easy fix, 1 not so much

Just wondering how you got on with compliance on the Altman latches? My compliance officer is looking for certification, which Altman don't have!

[QBRacing]

@springm
When I took it for the cert check, other than door alignment issues, he never said anything about them but they were on my pre build which was approved by LVVTA ... so pass.

In regards to updates , whilst slow i have progress. I now have a 50sq meter (540sq ft) shed in the back yard with a 3m stud and a fully working clearfloor 2 post hoist .... yay...

I have also installed the LS6 valley plate so I could run the PCV system as required by the LVVTA cert process. I got lucky on that front as I happened to have the late LS1 block without the plug that interferes with the PCV block under the valley plate so there was no alloy shaving to get it to fit. With a small bend to the output pipe it nicely cleared the steam vent system I have too

now to fix the chassis flex and the steering column then I can get a recheck and hopefully on the road.

[QBRacing]

Oh and like always I made a Video which explains it easier.

Enjoy

Q

[Rickysnickers]

Nice shop.

[dsraven]

always good to have a shop for YOUR stuff.
curious about the weight of the steam line set up. vibration may cause fracturing of the fitting at the head if the system is left hanging on that. it looks cool, just may be heavy.

[Patina56]

I’ve been subscribed to your YouTube for a while and enjoy your videos. New shop looks great!

[QBRacing]

@ DSRaven
The steam lines dont normally sit up like that, I moved them to fit the LS6 valley cover.
I have since lowered them back down so they run flat along the valley cover now.

[QBRacing]

So I just uploaded this Youtube Video showing the mods I did to the front A-Arm wing plates of the flatout front subframe. Don said that the later models already have something like this but I just went really overboard to make sure.

I basically tied the A-arm mounts to the box section to the chassis rail and think that should stop the flex I was getting that the certifier didnt like.

I have booked my next cert check and cant get in until the end of July now so that gives me about 6 weeks to fix the steering column. Plenty of time.

Here are some pics of the plates I had welded in.

[6DoF]

BEEEEEFF, i liiike

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by QBRacing

So I just uploaded this Youtube Video showing the mods I did to the front A-Arm wing plates of the flatout front subframe. Don said that the later models already have something like this but I just went really overboard to make sure.

I basically tied the A-arm mounts to the box section to the chassis rail and think that should stop the flex I was getting that the certifier didnt like.

I have booked my next cert check and cant get in until the end of July now so that gives me about 6 weeks to fix the steering column. Plenty of time.

Here are some pics of the plates I had welded in.

Well this will be setting my project back now )= How can I NOT add these after hearing about the flex??

[6DoF]

finally had a chance to watch the vid ... i was really hoping for the certifiers flex vids.

[QBRacing]

It has been on youtube for a while but was private while I discussed with Don.

As I said the later model systems come with it because the front plates are higher but given the shallow height of the earlier models (pre 88 i think it was) They werent deemed necessary till now.

Last I heard I think he was going to put the plates on all from now on but if not... i would do it

Here is the Flex Video from 1 min 40 on.


Please do NOT blame Don at flatout. For me he has been great to deal with, he supplied the kit and the suspension components and got them to a freight forwarder in LA for me to get all the way to NZ, nothing was broken, bent, missing and he has always been there when I called him (chassis length issue on earlier video). that said, I hope he fixes the issue moving forwards.

Please note : my fix required welding over the chassis number so make sure thats noted / photographed before hand. In my case I already had a NZ VIN attached so the stamped number is no longer required, TAKE PHOTOS ANYWAY....

Cheers
Q

[G&R's57GMC]

Great fix .

I kind of questioned that single plate design when I saw it but figured it might be ok but still thought it should have more support .

Looks like your inspector thought the same thing and proved it . Nice catch .

I think you did a great fix and I hope Don at Flatout incorporates it in his design and offers the plates to previous customers .

[Kevin_C]

Great Video Q. I had to go back and look at mine. Im running the later 96 suspension and there appears to be extra bracing. That is some upgrade you made. I don't think you will have any issues now.

[6DoF]

wow, you weren't even really getting after it. imagine the flex if you were hammer down around a road track!

Any business that stands behind their work to help, even when you point out a flaw, deserve the business! it's a shame more don't, but it's great to find those who do. Good on Don and Flatout.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Kevin_C

Great Video Q. I had to go back and look at mine. Im running the later 96 suspension and there appears to be extra bracing. That is some upgrade you made. I don't think you will have any issues now.

I checked mine too, and I have the same bracing, fortunately, so I think I'll be leaving it as-is, although QB's bracing seems pretty bulletproof!

[G&R's57GMC]

Hay Dave is your bracing the same as Kevin C’s ?