PROJECT "Father/Son" C-20 Rolling Chassis Build

[ChiefRocka]

Well...I am finally back from a session of MIA....alot of things going on with the kids....cub scouts, school, etc, etc. Got to keep the kids on a straight path, ya know ?

Anyway, here is some more pics of the saga.....


Preppin new 14-bolt by removing shock mounts, brake lines and leaf mounts...


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[ChiefRocka]

BTW....the Notch is complete.....
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Back on the rear ends.....
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Side by side......
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Preparing to transplant these saddles...making a jig for them....
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Also made up this plate for the pinion.....I want this to be accurate
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[ChiefRocka]

The last few for tonight.....
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I built this jig to hold the pads at correct spacing.....I will place the degree finder on the tubing, and record the measurement. So I can set it up when I transfer the whole thing to the 14-bolt.
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I might weld a 'jigger' to the track bar mount, and transfer at the same time...but then again I might not....
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See ya....

[ChiefRocka]

I am back with a few more pics....The 14bolt has found it's new home. My jig for the pads worked absolutley perfect....check it out...



Prepped the pads...
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Setup the 14bolt...(I think this axle might of been in a farm truck, not sure)
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When Rich brought this frame over, he also brought over a replacement R/S trailing arm...because he thought there might be a problem with it. (the axle was loose, possible cracked arm). Well, it turns out the u-bolt, overtime, had loosened and rusted in place.

So the OG trailing is fine. In fact, there was a huge weight difference from the OG C-20 arm and the replacement C-10 arm he brought. I noticed this when I picked them up side by side. The C-20 is much more stronger then the 1/2 arm. It has reinforcement places welded/riveted at the coil mount location, and 3/4 of the way on the underside. Definately want to use these with the bags !!
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Man I had to 'heat & beat' those rusty u-bolt reminents out of the trailing arms....
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[ChiefRocka]

More rust from trailing arm u-bolts....
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Pads are on !!!
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Old Housing...anyone need parts ??
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Got her home...
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CarLifts and Forklift make a great Team !!
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[ChiefRocka]

Last night, I just finished plumbing and clamping all the lines down....wired the compressors, and airred it up for the first time !!!

The air system work flawlessly !!!

Pics should be up tonight....

All that is left are the front/rear shocks, track bar, and rear brake line.

Today, I will be installing a Fab-Tech 6 Incher on my buddys '05 HD....

Later

[ChiefRocka]

Here are the PICS finally....pushed it out in the sun on Saturday....

I have all the lines secured with clamps and tie straps. (white tie wrap are for the mock up....for the final we will use the pink ones)

PICS:


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[Reject]

looks great! got any more updates?

[ChiefRocka]

Thanks...yea its coming along. I'm working on the shock mount location and track bar.

I think I will reuse the stock panhard bar mount (frame side) and possibly make a new axle mount. Not sure. I want to make the panhard as long as possible.

I dont think a Watts will be neccesary here.

Pretty much rounding third right now.

New pics soon !

[ChiefRocka]

I took some mearsurements and ordered the KYB's for the rear. I ordered the 'gray' shocks as the 'white' shocks I believe are way too stiff for this application.

Also I plan on mounting the stocks at the rear-end, straight up and down, which is the most efficient way.

Here are some mock up pics of the rear valves and different tank fittings:


Welded mounting tabs; drill & tap; mock up location :
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I thought the trailing arms would be the perfect area for the valves !! (JK)
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This way of mounting the valves makes for a strong and sanitary install...
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DARN IT ENOUGH ABOUT THE VALVES ALREADY !!!
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[ChiefRocka]

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I needed to use one of the plugged ports on the tank for fill...so what I did is drilled a hole thru the chassis, and used a Parker (of course) swivel 90. Other wise I would of had to use a Tee fitting at another port....not so clean.
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Valve mounting:
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[rcrahn]

Hey Chief....That's super clean!
Making progress! Keep up the great work!

[Iron-Butt]

looks good.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by ironbutt_lcmc

looks good.

Thanks ironbutt.....

Here are the pics of the rear shocks mocked and working.


I tacked on a piece of 1/2" plate on the side of the notch...so I could drill and tap....
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The stock lower mount was re-used and moved forward one hole on the trailing arm. I think it will be welded to the trailing arm.
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Locating drill point...
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[ChiefRocka]

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The shock are working perfect...plenty of clearance.

I am going to drill and tap extra holes for adjustment location of the upper shock mount. This top hole is to be used if we ever go with a 'canti' set-up in the rear. The hole we will be using is actually going to be 3" lower...this will allow max lift with the bags in the stock location (the way were running it)

[Frizzle Fry]

Well done. I may have to go with longer rear shocks and move the lower mount to the arms on mine. What are the rear shock specs?

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Well done. I may have to go with longer rear shocks and move the lower mount to the arms on mine. What are the rear shock specs?

Just got in from a long Thanksgiving.....These shock were a perfect length and compression for the bag travel (8")...I will get you the part number shortly....

I should be starting the Watts tommorow....

Later

[PrerunnerRob]

Trucks looking sweet dude! I'm anxious to see how you build the watts link, how are you mounting it to the axle?

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by PrerunnerRob

Trucks looking sweet dude! I'm anxious to see how you build the watts link, how are you mounting it to the axle?

I decided on mounting the watts right to a custom made HD new diff cover....

I came up with a few different "idears" for the Watts mounting at the pumpkin.

The first was to build a center mount off of the existing bolts....using 1/4" X 1" flat around the perimeter of the cover, welded together (or cut out a pattern out of a large plate), then build off of that. Kinda like this....
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The second was to use spacers and long studs off the cover and build off of that.
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So instead I decided to build an entire NEW rear-end cover out of 1/4" plate.....this would serve to hold extra gear oil, and a SUPER sturdy mounting point for the center pivot for the Watts.
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Here are the build pics.....
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(BASIC IDEA)
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[ChiefRocka]

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KICK A$$ press......but.....WEAK A$$ brake !!!
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[ChiefRocka]

Im back with some Watts mock up pics:

Here is the shot of the basic lever design...clean and funtional...nothing fancy, as you wont be able to see it anyway.

Again I used the original trackbar DOM end for the center...



I came across these perfect sealed bearings for the pivot....perfect press-fit into the tube !! I had the intention of using a bushing, but this is much better.


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[Frizzle Fry]

Man that's sweet! I was wondering how you determined the link lengths. I think you last post explained it.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Man that's sweet! I was wondering how you determined the link lengths. I think you last post explained it.

No big deal..the links just have to be EQUAL length, thats all.

I finished it up tonight....I think I will leave the links as they are....with the bags back in, the shock relocated....this rear suspension works AWeSOME !!!!

Check it out.....

Bags in...completely deflated:
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These shocks match the bag travel perfect...notice I dropped the upper mount down....
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The reason the links would need to be a little longer is if the frame drops below the level it is at now....Remove the bags from were they're at, and allow the axle to bottom in the notch. ( run then on a cantilever system, for example)
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I'm thinking one more cross-member, couple of brake hose tabs, and get the final from the owner.....RICH, can you come by at lunch tomorrow ?? I'll be there !!!!

I am ready to disassemble and prep for the powder !!!

[rcrahn]

Hail to the chief!
That looks fantastic. Justin & I agree it looks ready for tear down. Justin will come to your shop on Thursday to meet up and discuss the color scheme. How long will it take to tear down? When do you think we can take it the powdercoater?
Thanks!
Rich

[ChiefRocka]

Thanks Rich...I spoke with him right after I posted the above pics...

He seems excited about the frame, and will be coming over at lunch time....

I think the yellow,brown and green colors he picked for the frame will be good.


As far as diassembly, that will be quick.....once everything is disassembled, I will trailer it over to the coaters....

Do you or Justin want to be there, or what ??

I should have it over there by Friday, or Monday the latest...is that soon enough ??

John