55 Chevy C-4

[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

[Az. Hank]

I just read about the Shockwaves on here. I was originally going to use coilovers then I saw how the trucks with airbags can blow the bags and sit them down on the rockers.

[BIGglaSS]

If this helps anyone, it shows the centerline for the stock axle position:

And referencing this link for distance from back of cab 39.12":
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/56072.htm

This link shows centerline of C4 axle in relation to batwing mounts (photo#3), you will have to do some math and interpretaion:
http://1929fordhotrod.com/johnsblog/...-ford-hot-rod/

[Nut Case]

Mr. Hank I'm enjoying your build so much. I too will use a 93 C-4 frnt and back. With the pumpkin fixed and by a stroke of the gods if the engine and pumpkin were at the same level, I don't think that the rear pinion should be raised or the engine titled down the same degree? What do you think? Chase

[Az. Hank]

Picked up a LQ4 6.0 and a 4l80E. Now I need to get some time to play. I had shoulder surgery and need some time off. Maybee next week I can get out in the garage. I'm off untill the end of the month.

[Nut Case]

FYI, I have since found out to keep needles rotating and lubed that the engine and the diff. should be parallel center line to center line but not in a direct line with each other, just slightly offset. Get well Chase

[Advanced Design]

Nice find on the engine and transmission. Heal well!

[Az. Hank]

Thanks guys. I already got grease on my legs (the wife scolded me for being out in the garage, I promised her I would not go out and play) and she found out. I'm not to move the shoulder around at first until I start therapy.

[ptc]

Originally Posted by Az. Hank

Thanks guys. I already got grease on my legs (the wife scolded me for being out in the garage, I promised her I would not go out and play) and she found out. I'm not to move the shoulder around at first until I start therapy.

Hire the help and get a "DIRECTORS CHAIR" ..... that should keep her happy and us too with more pictures!!!!

Project is looking good!

[Az. Hank]

LOL

[FarmerSid]

You are right Nut case. Nice engine package.

[BIGglaSS]

Nice score. Heal up quickly. I had my shoulder done earlier this year. It was about a month before I was back to fabricating on my truck.

[Az. Hank]

I'm not getting anything done. I picked up a harness and a DBW pedal. I'm going to attempt to make my own stand alone harness. I've been reading how to do it on LT1swap.com.

[Az. Hank]

Also bought a Walker radiator and Cooling Componets electric fan, I want to make sure I have enough clearence for the rad.,fan and cab when I weld the new frame together.
The guy at Walker said I would be mad at him when I go to unpack it. I was worried it would get thrown around during shipping. He was not kidding...

[Advanced Design]

Nice quality parts. Looks like they were packed really well!

[84blaze]

How much did that walker rad run you, if you don't mind me asking.

Looks like it will work really well for an LS swap with the inlets on the right side

[Az. Hank]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

How much did that walker rad run you, if you don't mind me asking.

Looks like it will work really well for an LS swap with the inlets on the right side

A little pricey $1100, but I had them put the inlets both on the right,steam port, trans cooler built in A/C condensor and 4 row copper. I dug out my core support and it was a perfect fit.

[Az. Hank]

Thanks guys.
A few more pics.

[Kim57]

Nice stuff.
Kim

[Coupeguy2001]

What is the gear ratio of your rear end Hank?
Look on the bottom of the rear end housing, it is stamped on the 3rd member.
they came in 2.58 and 3.07. there are rare cases of 3. 30.
If you have the 2.58, you can't use tires much taller than 26.5 inches. Otherwise, you will have a rear that has too short a gear ratio, and the engine will be chugging down low.
I have an 86 corvette with a 383, and the shift from first to 2nd is 1000 RPM drop.
I put a 88 trans in it, even though it has the same ratios as the original trans, I picked up a 3.07 rear to help that trough when it shifts. my trans and yours should probably have the same set of ratios.
I wonder if you can figure out what your 6 liter came out of, and the factory ratio of the vehicle was? Your trans should still have a 3.0 something first gear to help it launch, but if you have the 2.58, 20 inch wheels are probably out.
I put 17 inch wheels on my 57 with 27 inch tall tires. looks about right for a truck. it has 3.42 rear and spins the tires easy.
Helps to nail this stuff down so that you don't have to go back and change anything later.
BTW, There is a guy in cave creek that sells corvertte suspension parts, He is on Craigslist every once in a while, and there is 20th street auto on 40th street near Broadway in phx that is a corvette wrecking yard. has tons of stuff.

[Az. Hank]

Thanks Coupeguy. I get down in the area we have an office in Chandler. I didn't know about the vette yards down there. It is a 307 ratio? I'm going to use it for now and change it to the Dana 44 later. My motor was in a 2005 Suburban.