55 Chevy C-4

[Az. Hank]

Well got the weekend off so I've gotten a little bit done. It's just clamped it together to get an idea of the ride height. I think I'm going to notch the rear frame to get the rockers to lay flat.

[Kim57]

Looks pretty slick on the ground.
Kim

[Az. Hank]

Threw on a fender to get an idea what it will look like.

[Az. Hank]

Hey Nut Case, I just measured for you 31 inches from the center of the cab bolt to the center of the front cross member not the spindle center.

[Az. Hank]

Got the frame notch done. It's just tacked in. I wanted to be able to push it off the lift if we need to use it. Oh well back to work.

[Az. Hank]

A few more. That's it for this go around.

[Kim57]

Looks real good.
Kim

[Az. Hank]

Thanks Kim

[lv2tri2]

I have to ask. What are the benefits of such a long frame notch?

[Az. Hank]

I wasn't sure if I needed the room or not so I just made it that big. The frame I started with was kind of butchered. Now looking back, the rear section was sort of pointing up on a slight rake so I didn't want to change that. I think it is supposed to be strait not going up. I might just cut it off and weld in new metal. The more I think about it I might just build a new set of rails I'm almost there now.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work!

[knomadd]

I just found your thread and read everything. I want to see you finish this so I'll be following along. Nice work thus far. Not many people would go through the fine adjustments you are, like the front cross member placement. Keep it up!

[Az. Hank]

I'm not happy with this frame it still looks butchered sooooo.
Building a new frame. I took a bunch of measurements and got out the factory assembly manual, picked up some iron here we go.

[Az. Hank]

Oh, it's nice to have a lift. Took the cab off once I got everything worked out. Thats it for this goaround have to load in Wittmann in the morning.

[Kim57]

Very interesting.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Nice progress. I love my lift too and still am amazed you can use yours outside. Dumb question...is it pretty hot there in the summer? Good luck with your load.

[ptc]

Nice '55 project you got going on here, will be checking in on it.

[Az. Hank]

Yup not much goes on in the summer, we will hit 120 degrees. I can't stay out in the heat to long. Most of this week it was around the 90s.

[Az. Hank]

Thanks ptc.

[BIGglaSS]

Looks good, keep at it. I'm threatening to start over with new frame rails, also. I think it would be easier in the long run to start over.

[Nut Case]

Master Hank, Thanks for the information on the location of the center line on the front axle. You are a pathfinder for me. I'm going to be doing the same things that you are right now. When you have a chance, what is the center line of the rear axle from the rear cab mount? It looks from the pic's, which are great, that the batwing is mounted flush with the under side of the frame. How much travel are you hoping to have in the front and rear shocks? What Shockwave's are you looking to use? Thanks in advance Nut Case. Keep on keeping on.

[Nut Case]

Master Hank, what size rims, width? and off set are you hoping to use front and rear. Thanks in advance, Nut Case

[BIGglaSS]

Nut Case, if you haven't already seen HP1957's build, check out post #121. He gives the part numbers for the shockwaves.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=535686&page=5

Hank has the batwing mounted above the top of frame level. And, Harvey "z"'d his frame. This gets the truck body lower than the Flat-out and Progressive kits. Those kits put the mounting points under the frame. Which, is why I'm also leaning towards building a custom frame, but using the Flat-out front crossmember.

Also for ideas, check out Newman's : http://www.newmancarcreations.com/trucks/
His mounting points look like they are higher than the other mentioned kits, but not as high as Hank or Harvey are going. But, they use the stock mono-spring.

And for wheels, I suspect nearly any modern wheel combo with high positive offset will work in. Check out this calculator: http://tri-5.chevyrides.com/rear_tire.php

The rear fender width on our 55-59 Task Force stepside trucks is just over 72" at the narrowest point. Enter 72" for the fender width in the calculator. For the fronts, plan on at least one inch narrower, but caution, I haven't measured the front yet, and I'm also not using a C4 front end.

I'm hesitant to give the offset numbers I have calculated, because I haven't tested or mounted them yet. I'm trying to mount C6 corvette wheels, which have very high positive offset and I will have to use spacers. This will be approximately 30 mm positive to fit in the rear. The problem with high positive offset wheels, is that they are made for metric cars with the 5 x 120mm bolt pattern. And corvettes have even more high positive offset. Our C4 hubs are 5 x 4.75 (120.65mm). Some people will interchange them, but to me, it's not right!

[Az. Hank]

I'm back on the road so I'll get you those measurements when I get back home. The Shock waves I was looking at travel 3.5 and 4 inches. I don't remember which one was which. The wheels I haven't figured out yet.Those Vette wheels that are on there leave alot of room. I used the 84 setup because there is more room for different wheels.
Hope this helps.
Hank

[Nut Case]

Master Hank, when your back, and have minute that would be great, this is not a time sensitive issue. I have already got my shockwaves, I would just like to compare them and get data on why you chose this shock? I know that the c-4 front and rear are from a 93 vette so the rim size will be 17" to clear the calipers, so I'm told. Which is no problem. I trying to figure out the off set to size my tire with the least amount of modification as possible.

Hey BIGglaSS the data that you gave me is great! Any more treasures feel free to send a private mesage, by chance do you have a project that you're working or going to work? Let me know Nut Case