Starting to start starting a C4 conversion on my 84 SWB GMC

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by SatisTraction

nice build.

here is a c4 suspension that you may find interesting.
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65041

Someone needs to invite him to post that build here too! That is goining to be something nice...


Sorry Tagg33, not trying to highjack...

[Tagg33]

I agree that is a nice build and I'm going to watch it.

[Tagg33]

I've been working on the back of the truck for the last few weekends. I determined the Corvette IRS was not going to fit in my existing notch so I cut it off. I then welded new 2x4 tube straight back from the top of the notch and I dropped in a couple 2x2 cross pieces. Today I made a mount for the gas tank using 1x1 tube and 2 bolt-on straps on top to hold the tank down. I have placed my order with Porterbuilt for the batwing mounts and a front mount to get the C4 IRS in place. I should have these on Monday. Nate is also going to build me the trailing arms I mentioned previously. Tomorrow I will be taking some final measurements to give him so he can start the trailing arms. I should have some good progress happening in the next few weeks.

[menace121978]

nice progress looking good!!

[STOCKISH]

Great looking work man. Keep at it.

[79gmc5.3]

Watching some of these builds makes me feel like an amateur

[Tagg33]

Thanks guys, for the comments. It has been really satisfying to make some progress.

[moneyeater]

Looks great!
Volker

[Tagg33]

Starting to make some good progress on the rear. Lookie lookie, I got some more PB items. Batwing brackets and trailing arms. I'll post more pictures when I get a little farther along. I'm just test fitting and still have a few more pieces being made up by Nate.

[moneyeater]

Right on man!
Looks great!
Volker

[justpball]

man thats Hot!!! Nates stuff always looks so good!

[moneyeater]

I wonder if the batwingbrackets and parts would fit to an original frame?
I´m once more thinking about converting to C4 IRS!
Volker

[Tagg33]

Sure I think everything would still work on a stock frame. Nate can make the trailing arm mounts different for each application. Go back to my page 4, post 85 and the truck we discussed before with a stock setup still looks do-able.

[tvblazer78]

Ya that is very cool!

[87chevy.com]

so with your setup it looks like a ladder bar setup vs a 4 link setup.. how are the OE c4 stuff set up? just curious.. wicked cool build...
clint

[Tagg33]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

so with your setup it looks like a ladder bar setup vs a 4 link setup.. how are the OE c4 stuff set up? just curious.. wicked cool build...
clint

The OE C4 setup uses "Dog Bones" to create a very short 4 link, since Corvettes don't have a lot of room. This picture shows the stock setup on Nate's uncles truck.

[Tagg33]

I didn't think I had much to do this weekend on the truck but I found a good amount. Once again it was very satisfying work. I removed all of the fuel lines, brake lines and wires running along the frame. Pulled the trans out and cleaned the frame inside and out with Simple Green to remove oil and dirt residue from engine oil leaks. I also cut off the previous ladder bar brackets and the E-brake cable bracket and cut the lowest part of the front cab mounts off, the before pic is shown with the green circle. My frame is very clean and bare now. I will need to borrow or rent a torch to fix the weird bent down portion of the frame that GM did for the trans cross-member install point.

[87 chevy silverado]

this is one unique build

[Tagg33]

A little update: My truck is off the jack stands.
I got the rear suspension mostly done, it just needs upper bag mounts and a couple gussets. For right now I have the Corvette fiberglass rear spring in place.
And on the front suspension I made a bolt on bracket in place of the air bag. The front just needs upper bag mounts and shock mounts.
I'm hoping to finish the body work on my firewall soon too.

[breeze85cten]

Man your truck looks like it is coming along! Its nice to see a local Arizonan. Its funny cause i saw your front coss member on craigslist a while ago and now i know why. Your project c4 looks like it is going to be rock solid. You keeping the same engine set up?

[Tagg33]

Ya, I'm keeping the ZZ1 crate engine and the TH400 trans for now. There's only 3500 miles on them so I know they are good. I would like to have an overdrive trans but it's going to have to wait, other things come first. Thanks for checking out my build.

[breeze85cten]

I saw also that you are using porter built trailing arms for your rear setup. I have been building an 85 c10 fully bagged and bought PB control arms from him not too long ago. Strong stuff. Did Nathan make yours specifically for the set up you have witht he C4 rear end? Looks good.

[Tagg33]

Nate has made the same trailing arm setup once or twice before that I know of but my set is custom made out of chromoly, made to the length I needed and TIG welded.

[SatisTraction]

looking nice!!

[Tagg33]

Made a little progress lately. Last weekend my brother came over and finished up the firewall body work. I've been working on it for several weekends now and it just wasn't perfect. So my bro stopped by and worked his magic making it look easy. Just got my TPI EFI parts back from the chrome shop. They look really nice and the price was really good. I've been sanding and smoothing the runners on and off trying to get it ready for powder coat and then my brother offered to take them in for a quote at the chrome shop he uses and here they are 3 days later all done. And pic of what my TPI used to look like, cast aluminum.