** YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN ** The truck Chevrolet should have built.

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Going to be an awesome driver. Reliable, convenient, capable, fun, and really cool!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

Nice progress

Thanks

Not much got done tonight, just a little head scratching. (No, I don't have lice.)

[67chevy1series]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

Thanks

, just a little head scratching. (No, I don't have lice.)

[72USA1]

Very nice build, can't wait to see it complete. Especially waiting to see your idea on the cab head liner.

[drewskiren]

Picture Time.

Thanks to Jess for putting in some time, man I'm gonna owe him.

We swapped the power steering bracket with another one I had without the salt deposits. A picture of the old one.

The front bag kit calls for you to weld the front shock mount to the lower control arm - seems a little sketchy so I cranked the heat up on the welder, we'll see if it holds.

[drewskiren]

We were able to finish both sides of the front air bag system, even with the vague instructions. We also mounted the shocks after I painted them black - they were blue.
Then we started plumbing the valves and tank, kinda complex and we haven't even thought about the electrical portion.

[JasonBird]

dang! you got NASA helping?! that is complex!! LOL

[VA72C10]

Looking good!

[drewskiren]

I'll try to explain the new suspension I am using for my automotively challenged friends.
This shot shows the main valve block (red), everything comes and goes from here.
The air compressor mounted upside down draws outside air through a filter and fills the 5 gallon tank with pressurized air. From the air tank there will be double supply lines to feed the 4 valves in the red block to air up each air bag (black rubber doughnut looking thing in second picture). These air bags have now replaced the standard springs. In the same red block are 4 more valves that can open to expel the air out of the air bags. When the supply valves are opened, air travels from the tank, through the red valve block and fills each air bag which will make the truck rise up to its normal driving level. Conversely, when the expel valves open they let the air out into the atmosphere which deflates the air bag and the truck lowers itself. In the lowered down state the truck is not drivable, but sure looks cool. This might be handy for a photo shoot or a car show, etc. All of this raising and lowering is controlled electronically by buttons inside the truck. An air ride computer has sensors mounted on each wheel and communicates information about where each wheel is height wise. This information along with four individual air pressure monitors helps the computer to tell the valves what they should do when I ask for a different ride height. Additionally the computer knows if I have a heavy load in the back and will adjust the air pressure in the rear air bags up to compensate for the extra weight and keep the truck riding level. This is a huge advantage over all other trucks because when the bed is empty the computer decreases the rear air pressure and allows the truck to ride on a much softer setting. All other pick-up trucks that use steel springs usually ride with their tail in the air with very stiff rear springs so that on the one day that you carry a heavy load the truck suspension can handle the extra 1000 pounds. Personally, I am very tired of driving a stiffly sprung truck and am very excited to have my split personality suspension system that rides like a Lexus most of the time, but then automatically adjusts to a stiffer setting when I use it hard and "pick-up" something.

[mcbassin]

Nice work Drew, You are kicking some major butt on this project! Keep the pics coming.

[drewskiren]

We got a little done after church today and my good friend Drew from my Sunday school class helped out for and hour. Mainly just plumbing work running lines and securing them to the frame.
Tonight I'll be back on trying to figure out the rear suspension geometry.

[VA72C10]

Nice progress. I like the wire loom. Will help prevent chafing on the air lines.

[drewskiren]

I may run into a little slowdown this week. We have missionaries who serve in Turkey staying with us/above me in the shop. I'll have to refrain from noisy endeavors after 9 o'clock. They spoke last night at a party we had for them at our house and it was very interesting to hear how they are teaching MUSLIMS about Jesus !

[VA72C10]

very cool. I have a feeling the Lord's going to reward your graciousness with good favor on your project!

[noonzor]

wow, this is a great build!! just went through all pages(too much to read i just looked at pretty pictures haha) but man you are MOVIN on this project! love the name, love the work, going to pay close attention to this one!!

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Mmmm... Hungry!

I was just reading back through and I finally got what this post was for. I'm lovin it---- Make me a sammich woman.

Funny.

[67cheby]

looking forward to more progress on the air supply side , i am running the same unit as you .... and mine is still in boxes....

[bulldog911]

Just found this and read the entire build thread. Awesome project. Its cool to see someone combine so many great ideas into one truck. Love the usability factor too; that its not just for show. Not that it wouldn't be show-worthy(and probably show-winning) Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Project]

I signed up here just to be able to tell you that this build is very inspirational and your attention to detail is absolutely amazing. When I can buy another truck(had to sell mine) i'll be coming back to this build.
Thank you for the inspiration!

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

I was just reading back through and I finally got what this post was for. I'm lovin it---- Make me a sammich woman.

Funny.

[trevrolet65]

Originally Posted by drewskiren

I may run into a little slowdown this week. We have missionaries who serve in Turkey staying with us/above me in the shop. I'll have to refrain from noisy endeavors after 9 o'clock. They spoke last night at a party we had for them at our house and it was very interesting to hear how they are teaching MUSLIMS about Jesus !

That's cool, the truck too! Our oldest son is in the Ukraine, going on 5 months now doing the same thing. Youngest is going to Ft. David. I sure do like this build, It's come A long way from when you started. I wasn't even a member then! My hats off too you sir.

[drewskiren]

Tonight I tackled the rear suspension. I am having to locate the axle in all 3 dimensions, it feels like plotting a house in dirt on an empty lot, not much point of reference. When I had the bed on earlier, I had marked the center of the wheel well/axle center on the frame. Measuring forward half of the axle diameter, plus the mounting hardware depth, plus the 4 link length, I derived where the 4 link mounted to the frame fore and aft. The width was easy because the frame rails basically lined up with the axle width. The height I probably figured and re-figured 5 times, I have 3 inches of travel plus a half inch bumpstop. I made a cardboard template and cut out my quarter inch plate with my sawzall at lower speed.

[drewskiren]

I made a little sketch in the shop of what is going on so I wouldn't have a brain lapse. Welded the plate and the supplied brackets together and then carefully clamped them in the right position on the frame and welded that together. I will end up with another small piece welded to the outboard side, but I haven't designed that yet. Last shot shows how the arms will end up looking. Now I just need my axle back to locate the panhard rod and airbag mounts.

[VA72C10]

Nice! keeping the progress going! What all is being done to the axle?

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Nice! keeping the progress going! What all is being done to the axle?

It was a rustbucket, so the axle shop is totally going through it, replacing rusted through dust shields, etc. and powdercoating when they are done.

[FL71C10]

Truck's coming along nicely. This is the time when you lose your audience at home because it's not as exciting as the early work where they can see huge visible leaps every day or week. Nice work on all the engineering! I thought you couldn't weld these newer frames because of the kind of steel they use?

Keep up the good work.