My long term 57 project

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, ok, you tease!

But seriously, I love seeing what you do on your truck

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ok, ok, you tease!

But seriously, I love seeing what you do on your truck

Same here, we want pics, we want pics...Jim

[RockinKees]

Hahaha, I'm already sitting in my chair waiting for the pics to come!!
I like surprises!!

[jcramsey]

Cant wait to see whats coming next!

[Lokin4AReason]

me 2 =0)

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks guys, sorry for keeping you waiting but I think you're gonna like it!

Saved up my pennies and made a trip out to Apache Junction, AZ and spent some time with Nate Porter at PBFab. He is building some killer suspension components for the TF trucks.

Decided to go with the coilover version of his Dropmember and his newly designed tubular inner-frame structure.

Well enough talking for now, I know you want to see the pic's!

[RockinKees]

That's worth the wait!!

I think it's an excellent choice you made there!!
I say this because I'm plain jealous....

Can't wait to see it on the truck!

[oldman3]

Holy sh!t. Early Christmas, birthday and whatever else. Nice load of parts, let's get started...Jim

[Kim57]

That's some real cool stuff you picked up.
Why isn't it on yet?
Kim

[solidaxel]

Are these parts on the shelf at PBF or did you have to get in line for your order?

[jcramsey]

Awesome update JJ...I bet you are pumped!

[ChuckDriver]

Yep guys, I'm very excited to dive into this install! I actually ordered it when I sat down with Nate in his shop on June 6 and they arrived on 11 Nov.

That might seem like a long time, but the quality of the parts and the customer service from Dave and Nate made it worth the wait. Also, the inner frame structure was still in development (rattling around in Nate's head) and I wanted to wait for it!

The ridetech coil-overs showed up within a couple of weeks, they are some nice pieces for sure!

Where you at Dan???

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

Awesome update JJ...I bet you are pumped!

I sure am JC!! How's the 66 running?

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

I sure am JC!! How's the 66 running?

The 66 is doing great....been cruising around town, hauling sod for my neighbors and using it as a prop for our churches fall festival. I love driving it any chance I can get.

Looking at installing my 3 speed OD trans now that the weather is finally cooling.

You gonna start on installing your new parts soon?

[Rods57]

Wow, that is really cool, totally new truck when your done I will bet.

[Russell Ashley]

Very nice!! Looking forward to lots of pics as you install.

[ChuckDriver]

This PB suspension should really change the look and feel of the truck for sure!

I'll try and do a step by step install and post lot's of pic's for sure.

The workmanship on the parts is awesome!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi JJ,

Maybe I missed it but WHY are you swapping in PB parts and taking out your nice clip installation? I assume that's what you're doing or do I have it wrong?

Also, I've never really understood what those tubularcrossmember setups are for? Just added rigidity, or what? It DOES look good but I just don't understand.

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hi JJ,

Maybe I missed it but WHY are you swapping in PB parts and taking out your nice clip installation? I assume that's what you're doing or do I have it wrong?

Also, I've never really understood what those tubularcrossmember setups are for? Just added rigidity, or what? It DOES look good but I just don't understand.

I'm going to put the PB parts on a different frame, so I can keep the current on and either sell it as a roller or find another body for it!

Doing the swap to give it a more aggressive stance and improve the handling, and performance of it. That's where the inner structure comes in to play. These old trucks were build with a relatively thin C-channel frame and have a lot of flex to them. It worked well on the old dirt roads and fields they were designed for, but now we all drive them down the freeway at 80 MPH and want them to ride a perform like a more modern vehicle.

Hope to get some work done over the Holidays, and I'll keep ya' updated!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ah so! Lol. Now I understand. Too bad you're 3000 miles away or I might be interested in your frame. Someone's gonna get a very nice rolling chassis.

[99 to Life]

I'm glad you stated that about the OG frames. Not to stir the pot, but anyone that looks down on frame swaps should realize to get the OG frame up to snuff its gonna need beefed up.

[hotrod1]

I beefed mine up quite a bit and it is stiff as a board. If I were to do it over again, I woule either start from scratch or better yet buy Russels frame (http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/show...t=41938&page=2).

[ChuckDriver]

If you guys remember back when I did the ZZ4 install, I also installed a rebuilt 700R4 trans.

I never really liked how it would lock up the torque converter at the same time it shifted into 4th gear. This would cause a 1000 RPM drop, and if you weren't in the motor pretty hard, it was too much of a drop.

So, I was at the Good Guys show in Charlotte and talked with Mark from Bowler Performance Transmissions about this issue. He explained that most people who rebuild the 700R4 set them up to do what mine was doing. But Bowler has developed a kit to address this!

I must say that Mark was great to deal with. He answered every question I had in terms that made sense to me and was very knowledgeable!

Well, I was sold and bought his "Lock-up Control Module"

It was very easy to install after dropping the pan. It did require me to redo the wiring for the lockup, using a relay that allows it to "un-Lock" when I press the brake pedal.

After finishing the install and topping off the fluid I was ready for a test drive. Let me say it works great! Now when the trans shifts into 4th, there's about a 700 RPM drop, and after 8-10 seconds the converter "locks-up" and drops about 300 RPM. It actually feels like a 5 speed trans! And even better, when I press the brake, the converter "un-locks" and its easier on the motor to accelerate again.

I have to say that I'm extremely pleased with how it works and would highly recommend Bowler's product!

http://bowlertransmissions.com/p/99/...nverter-module

[oldman3]

JJ, good to know, thanks for posting...Jim

[99 to Life]

man that is one cool little feature all wrapped up in a small package. I must say that thing seems like a must have, and I'm not much of an automatic user. how much does it cost?