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

[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]

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And here's the mounting completed. The white line represents the direct center of the axle. Everything was mocked/welded on the axle to minimize distortion.
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Also, being that this axle will be fully disassembled (by a rear end shop) for powder-coating and rebuilding, I wasn't worried about a little welding splatter on the inside. The cover will also be fully welded on the inside.
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Here's a shot of my "Shop Test Switches".....Kinda cool dancing the frame in the shop...althought I need my fat ass standing on the frame for ballast !!!
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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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[ChiefRocka]

Linkages mock up....
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Here is a spare shock mount extention left-over from a Pro-comp IRS lift I did on a buddys '06 HD....Worked out good
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I need to built the d-side mount...balancing on a level...
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I might have to shorten the pivot to 6" center rather that 8".....we will see.

Later

[rcrahn]

Bodacious

[PrerunnerRob]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Linkages mock up....
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Here is a spare shock mount extention left-over from a Pro-comp IRS lift I did on a buddys '06 HD....Worked out good
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I need to built the d-side mount...balancing on a level...
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I might have to shorten the pivot to 6" center rather that 8".....we will see.

Later

Can you use "the force" to levitate the truck off the ground yet instead of just holding up levels?

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by PrerunnerRob

Can you use "the force" to levitate the truck off the ground yet instead of just holding up levels?

I wish I could use "the force" to get this s#it done quicker !!!

Any luck finding a second cab ?? DUDE, you MUST stick to this plan !!!

That would be awesome !!! We need more custom rides out of San JO, you know ??

[PrerunnerRob]

Might have found one yesterday, I'm waiting to hear back from the dude, and find out how much he wants for it. Sounds like someone wrecked the front sheetmetal, bent the frame, and destroyed the bed. Might have a winner here! I was talking to one of the other guys at my shop about doing it, he works at a sheet metal shop, he said no problem making all the filler pieces!
Sweet!

[PrerunnerRob]

Might be a little late, but I just found these for your disc brake setup
http://ballisticfabrication.3dcartst...p_27-1153.html

[jb4short]

nice work

[ChiefRocka]

Thanks...

[ChiefRocka]

Back with a few more pics of the DriverSide mount. I needed a way to hold the mounting in place (in mid-air) while I built to it...so what I came up with was use some plumbing tape (the kind that used to hold the back of radios).

I tacked it to the frame and the mount. This worked great and allowed me to bend and move the mount to get it level and parallel.


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Once I got it where I wanted it...I used some "20's" to hold it in place...
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[ChiefRocka]

Finished up the welding on the "Rock-Guard" 14bolt cover.....Inside and Out..
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and added one crossmember so far...
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Let me tell you...this Watts set-up worked AWESOME !! So tight and precise it is unreal...It keeps the axle measurement at a consant 9 1/8" from backing plate to frame, both sides, at all times.

However...I did find out the links need to be about 2" longer though. At ride height the lever should be leaned over to the driver side (top).

The way I have it now, it is perfect for the bags in the stock location...however when you lift the frame past that point, the link start to pull to the side because it runs past it's working range.

I want to make the links longer, just in case Rich ever decided to go with a cantilever in the rear, which would give it more travel, the Watts would be ready for it.

One more crossmember, drill and tap some more shock mount holes, and it should be ready for the FINAL.....after I get the ok, its disassembly and prep for powder, and it's outta here !!!

[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

[rcrahn]

Hey John,
I have a day off on Friday so give me a call to coordinate. Maybe we can get it torn down and transported there on Friday but I'll need to call the powdercoater to give him a heads up.

[PrerunnerRob]

Super awesome! That truck is looking good now, I can't wait to see it when it comes back from the powdercoaters!

[lowrollin70gmc]

Pardon me for the interuption, but I'm going to backtrack a bit. For your awesome valve mounting, what type of T are you using? Stainless steel, carbon steel, platinum? And also where did you pick those up? I like the idea of welding tabs on and don't feel like brazing brass fittings.

Progress looks great and sweet watts link.

[rcrahn]

Steel Parker Ts are used, probably carbon steel. I assume John picked them up at Royal Brass in San Jose.

[Dinos63]

killer work chief,

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by PrerunnerRob

Super awesome! That truck is looking good now, I can't wait to see it when it comes back from the powdercoaters!

Thanks...me too...the chassis and its components are getting a three color scheme....we will see how it comes out !!!!

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

Pardon me for the interuption, but I'm going to backtrack a bit. For your awesome valve mounting, what type of T are you using? Stainless steel, carbon steel, platinum? And also where did you pick those up? I like the idea of welding tabs on and don't feel like brazing brass fittings.
Progress looks great and sweet watts link.

Thanks man.....I think that way was super-clean, and mega sturdy as well !!!

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Steel Parker Ts are used, probably carbon steel. I assume John picked them up at Royal Brass in San Jose.

You can also get them from me....

Originally Posted by Dinos63

killer work chief,

Thanks man...

Here are a couple more pics......
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You can see, everything was a perfect (and close) fit.....

The lower mount came out good too....the tank hangs lower than my mount.

All those washers will be replaced with some spacers upon reassembly, as well as the P/S bolt will be reversed....

[ChiefRocka]

Here are a couple of short video clips.....the quality is crappy...and my 200lb fat a$$ just wasn't enough ballast to drop it down fast....especially with those KYB in there.....

View My Video
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View My Video
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View My Video
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