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Chev C20 RHD
Hi, update on my F100 project with C5 drivetrain. After spending a year looking for a dent cab to use I gave up my search and moth balled the F100 chassis (Couldn't justify $4000+ on a rusted dent cabs avaliable downunder). With all the parts I collected I started looking for a replacement project that included Camaros and Firebirds.
I had a trip across Australia planned so at the last minute I jumped on Gumtree ( USA's Craigslist) to see what was avaliable. I came across a factory RHD C20 Cab / Chassis project that was just what I was looking for. Plan is: Shortern wheelbase 115" Custom front crossmember ZO6 drivetrain and suspension, using C5 rear cradle ZO6 C6 brakes Flamming River RHD steering rack Stepside body Recessed and smoothed firewall Trans tunnel mods for torque tube 22 inch rims 265 and 295 tires Vintage Air Con http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps87352ff2.jpg Loaded for the trip from Sydney back to Perth. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psecc70499.jpg RHD dash http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps01dc8e56.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps91ce0ba5.jpg Tear down http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb23b15ed.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps57a85ef6.jpg Rear rails of the C20 are similar width to the Corvette C5 making the suspension cradle easy to adapt. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps5f41341a.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc9388674.jpg RHD rack http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps268f2f97.jpg |
Interesting... Watching this one. :thumbsup:
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Progress, simple chassis table, centering the engine and rear cradle the I'll fit the chassis over the top and start measuring.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps81a0aaaa.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps342f9725.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf67f6206.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps46df2f05.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9b0327b7.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfa0c0210.jpg Hopefully only this part of the tunnel will need clearance for the torque tube http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9403e8ac.jpg Removing crossmembers, frame needs to be shorterned 14 inches, cleaning and removing unwanted brackets then I'll fit the frame over the drivetrain and set ride height.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps82192d36.jpg Winter starting down under, the hands aren't working too well with all the metal in them :( http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps94b73aa6.jpg |
Very interesting build, can wait to see how this one turns out!
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Thomo, weren't you putting the Vette gear into a 1 Tonner?
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Yes, Department of transport wouldn't licence it, the One Tonner chassis has a Panel Van body on it now, its in Bendigo Victoria. It only came in at 1230kg to light for them. I've got the C20 built as a ICV car, which means If I want to sell it the new owner has to apply to Department of Transport to transfer the licence... Free to run big wheels, and other mods based on a Corvette drivetrain, engine, emissions etc......
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Very cool
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OK big news of the day........
Yes the UNI body is back on the cards, but!!!!!! Instead of trying to fit fleetside back panels to the cab im going to fit Blazer panels which changes a few things. One is the wheelbase, it gets another 10 inches taken out of it making it (with the front wheel centerline set forward 1 inch) 107.5 inches... Here is some pics to give an rough Idea to what it will look like, balance is the key. You notice the Chev needs large diameter wheels to make the body lines work, first pics the owner has 20 inch rims, then they are swapped for 22inch rims. Anything smaller makes the body lines not work rite as per last photo...... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc12c6f74.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8824991a.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps09cda292.jpg Same truck with 22's http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb2288d95.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps54338320.jpg Check the small rim diameter on this trucks front wheel to me it doesn't suit the body lines.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps73033fcc.jpg |
I'm putting 22's on my 68 C10 as well. I know alot of guys don't agree with it, but I feel like 22's fill up the wheel well on a truck very nicely. 22's with the right, lowered stance....ooooh weee!! Not too big, not too small in my opinion. Plus, I'm not gonna be auto crossing or tracking the truck anyway, so... Now, for track guys, of course a 22" tire would be too big. But, my all of my cars are for street cruising and just rolling on the summer nights. If one can put a 20" on a 69 Camaro, then how is a 22" too big for a full size truck?
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I agree you need to add rim size to a C10. I no by fitting Blazer quarter panels and shorterning the wheelbase a 2 to 3 inch roof chop is needed to get the body lines rite on my project.......
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Spent the weekend grinding the frame, its now at the Blazer wheelbase. I've split the frame from all of the crossmembers to weld the front and rear rails together. Plan for this week, finish welding and cleaning the rails then re square the frame fit it to the chassis table then fit the Cab. Good news there is no clearance issues with the gearbox and frame crossmembers.......
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd5712cd1.jpg |
More progress....
I turned the frame on its side an bolted the front and rear sections of frame together. By cutting the frame at the centre of the rear cab crossmember it is very easy to reassemble. Frame joined, you can see the 3 crossmember hole in the right side of the frame http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0b7bda3d.jpg Bolting in the crossmember http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscec781bd.jpg First hole drilled on the rear of the frame http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps14f417f2.jpg Because 25 inches was cut from the frame it does tapper in on the rear section, by jacking and using a straight edge the rear was squared again there is a 3mm tapper in the rear frame section added.... Passengers side http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psbd47f871.jpg Drivers side http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps810da72c.jpg The frame wont be welded till its back on the chassis jig and squared and set at ride height with is 6 inches to the lowest part of the frame under the cab.... |
This is where I am, need to go back to work for a week. I'm still working out the ride height, problem is my Cab is stored else where so I can't place it on and check things. The drivetrain is in, it needs to be lifted at least 2 inches but you should get the idea of how this will work. The firewall will need to be recessed I have the motor set back where a normal LS engine would sit in one of these trucks....
Ground clearance for the sump is only 4 inches atm... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps03935f05.jpg Frames lowest point is set at 6 inches, this may change....( Please feel free to comment on the height, I have never owned one of these trucks its all a learning curve for me http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psdc1e401d.jpg Started adding threaded rod between the frame rails to help square and hold the frame before final welding... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps883933fa.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa2ab0bd6.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscc33320b.jpg |
Mockup of chassis height ( Note engine and torque tube to be raised 2 inches) Motor will just clear the firwall, no mods to the back of the cab only floor.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps85e5dde3.jpg Level is the back of the cab http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps63da0961.jpg Torque tube to be raise 2 inches ends up level with the top of the crossmember http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps549bbe4e.jpg Cab reference photo room for the shifter rod http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps71c37777.jpg ride height with tire mockup, not centred just a ruff idea... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse483e784.jpg Probably best to explain suspension and crossmembers. I've kept the factory cradle on the rear for a few reasons. First its very simple to remove the trans for service or to replace a clutch (A few miss this point with custom frames and tubes every where they sometimes forget how am I gunna pull this out) Remember with the Corvette ZO6 C6 it has 325 tires and a 12 inch wide rim so fitting these under the wider C20 rear quarters is not a drama. Front suspension is different, I've gone a narrower track than the C5 Vette, reason being I want a dish rim with a wide tire under the front hopefully a 285/25/22. Because the frame of the C20 trappers in at the top mounts, my crossmember will be designed as a 1 piece bolt on with the top and bottom A arms fitted to it. The engine is set back behind the front axle centerline so I don't have to buy $1000 custom drop steering knuckles, my steering rack stays at the C5's original position. Heres some mock up pic's of C5 suspension. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfe02b711.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps684882cd.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf05a7dd5.jpg Using a 22.25" pivot point the C5 mounts are in the way so custom mounts will be fabricated http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfc134d7e.jpg Front axle center line will be changed to even the look of the 22" rims under the front fenders http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps53b8c92f.jpg Truck weight will be around 1600kg.......... |
Very interesting project.
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Working out measurements for the front crossmember using Corvette C5 clip to help...
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb9ce165e.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps00b718c9.jpg Using fixed lower arms I now have to work out how far to bring the top contol arms in to allow for camber adjustment. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0e1e0277.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd1675d94.jpg Corvettes 26 inch pivot point. New crossmember brings this into 22.25 inches. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps5224237e.jpg Can any one recommend a sway bar set up?? The frame is 28 inches wide at the front rails... cheers Tim |
Spent today doing final tweaks before I start on the crossmembers.... Ride height is done, everything starts to line up perfect.......
Motor and drivetrain at height and centred. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps5491ddad.jpg Exhaust clearance both sides.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfbd48a3e.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf965a02e.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse7c8e6d3.jpg This is the start of the center or gearbox crossmember... 2 inches will be sectioned from the center to give the torque tube clearance, then sectioned at the bottom for the cats to clear. If my planning is rite the cats will sit just above the bottom of the frame.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6e8c6dc9.jpg with the exhaust bolted up the cats will tuck into the center crossmember giving it a clean look under the chassis..... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps78504c00.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4e908967.jpg |
This is a warts and all build, happy to share mistakes and boy did I make one today.................
Started marking and cutting out the center crossmember ( Note Old Skool build basic tools :( ) http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps16a07b74.jpg Got the shape of the crossmember done then drilled holes and punched them out to be dimple died. In this pic the holes been punched no drama's. I then thought to myself I shouldn't dimple the hole till I have added the top and bottom plates and gussets to strengthen the crossmember...... Got a phone call, went back to the shed, for some reason I picked up the dimple die and punched the crossmember with it. Instant fail the pressure distorted the metal and just wrecked 2 hours of work.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc66da5cc.jpg At least with the exhaust bolted up the cats are tucked up near level with the bottom of the frame..... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps02b7ee52.jpg |
More crossmember design...........
Trail fit of crossmember. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9463a498.jpg Checking the balancer clearance. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps053a83bf.jpg Crossmember cut out and the 2 halfs clamped together. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa1cedd74.jpg Trail fit. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb52743df.jpg Lower control arm fitted ( not in postion cause of the engine mounts stopping the arms from moving further back) http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps637fd308.jpg Hitting the engine mount, trail fit so wasn't going to unbolt the mounts http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse70073ac.jpg With the lower control arm in the rite position there will be enough clearance with the crossmember. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps46bff26e.jpg Quick mock up to showing how the top arms will look when the side plates are added to the crossmember. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4957c2f9.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps1c7cc77a.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps728c920f.jpg Results from the days work!!! Start again. The crossmember will change from 4 inch to 5 inches in length, it has to be narrowered down from 900mm to 850mm. Also the weight, I can afford to step up from a 3mm to 5/6mm thickness, the weight will still be half of the factory crossmember. Instead of L angle steel the next crossmember will be shaped out of 150mm x 150 mm (6" x 6") box steel. This will be easier to shape.... So did I waste time doing all of this? NO!!! This is a one off design, things will need to be reworked and changed. As I said this is a real world build, I'm over seeing project with A pic B pic and everything fits and the builder pretends its all straight forward. I'm happy to show problems / rework, to help others looking or thinking I can build something like that..... After all I'm just a simple Truck driver with a gimp hand, if I can do this anyone can or should try...... |
Looking good!!
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Cheers Rick.....
Updates................. Picked up some steel for crossmembers today.... 6 x 6 inch for the centre crossmember and 5 x 5 inch for the front.... Precision cut at Di Candilo Steel..... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb8720690.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps82f14e53.jpg Cleaning the frame rails. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc61e0a1c.jpg Tweaking the rails before I weld them together. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0c2b0f02.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psca94b3d9.jpg Found by standing the frame rails up right and placing a jack under the cut it was easy to line up. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa2d44f3c.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps59eab970.jpg Rails are square. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps78c23414.jpg One welded together, full day tomorrow should get some work done....... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse9f1e9d1.jpg |
Not going to lie - I had to google your screen name.
Is this the 3rd iteration of integrating a C5/C6 chassis? I saw the One Tonner thread on LS1tech, I remembered the F100 from here, and now it looks like a Chevy C20. Pics are looking good. |
Hi Bonecrusher, yes I've done the others, I sold the One Tonner chassis cause they would not licence it in my State. The F100 chassis I still have, I spent a year looking for a Dent cab 1967-72. All I could find was rusted over priced junk( I'm in Australia) the C20 came up it was perfect, I looked at C10's in Australia but they where all LHD. When this RHD came up I grabbed it, I knew the Corvette drivetrain would fit just by looking at chassis blueprints.
Compared to the F100 just the front track has been changed and the steering rack and front sway bar. Still having problems shipping replacement panels from the USA looks like they need to be Sea freighted Downunder ( takes months) |
More work.....
Started marking out the centre crossmember.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse5d9d9ab.jpg Next was the front crossmember..... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7beebade.jpg Drilling for the lower control arm http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps147ba774.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb70493f7.jpg The old saying comes into play here, measure 10 times and drill once... Tubes are square, only drilled with a hand drill, as I've said Old Skool build... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf1f16df1.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc1c18f98.jpg Welded the other frame rail together today spent 1 hour measuring both rails at different points, got it exact.... Pic shows using body holes for reference points. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3e6e43be.jpg Called an early day my hands not working to well, this should explain why. I fell off the back of a Semi trailer a couple of years ago. Result shattered both wrists, fractured skull broken toes and shattered 2 bones in my right hand. My right hand basically doesn't work, I've got some cool Titanium parts in my body though....:metal: http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps94b73aa6.jpg Hopefully I should finish the crossmembers this week and have the Cab mounted.... |
Nice fab work Thomo, keep up the good work.
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Cheers Greg, I talk to you soon about blasting the chassis when its finished, I normally use Fast Blast in Bayswater over the years.....
Starting to re square the frame, once the cross members are removed its not an easy task to bolt it back together making everything square again. This is why I went for a 6 x 6 inch box section to replace the gearbox cross member. This centre cross member is what everything else frame wise will be squared off........... Bevelling the edges to fit inside the C section of the frame. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6e33068d.jpg The cross member now sits flush with the frame. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf47d10d4.jpg Because the frame will be pulled down a few more times the cross member is only bolted in, it will be welded when finished. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc6116143.jpg With the cross member fitted I used threaded rod in the frame alignment hole to pull the cross member in flush against the inner frame rail section. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb2278e2d.jpg The rear of the frame and centre were level, the part of the frame where the cab cross member was not, problem? http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psedfcde23.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps240e16b8.jpg The frame rail on one side was out of square, soon as I fitted and tightened the treaded rod it levelled this part of the frame again. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3c14dbd9.jpg I'll fit the front cross member when everything is squared before I shape it . http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf93cc93a.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscc37f18d.jpg I will set the frame back at ride height. I'll then run a string line down the centre of the chassis table. I'll square and set the centre cross member once this is done I'll weld the side plates. Its then a matter of squaring the frame with the treaded rod and the string line...... Then the cab and radiator support panel will be trial fitted as well....... |
So today the question is answered what mods are needed for a Corvette drivetrain into a Chev pickup. Answer 3 custom cross members and a small tunnel mod, that's it........
A 3 to 4 inch high and 5 inch wide tunnel mod needed. Scrapping away the factory body deadener. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8ef7a1ee.jpg The sump has 6 inches of ground clearance no firewall mods needed...... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps223fe507.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psdf394a88.jpg Back of the cylinder head to the firewall. http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps08fe0b14.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa5e4a280.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psee24bede.jpg Sorry for the blurred pic, this shows the low CG the engine and drivetrain will have.... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps21176745.jpg Looks easy, one word for anyone attempting this "Anti dive"...... |
Nice updates - look forward to seeing more updates/pics!
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Cheers, I still remember the measurements you gave me from your C6 this has helped me in this project. I'd like to know your sump clearance measurement, next oil change could you check for me please.
Cheers Tim , |
Starting rear suspension should take a week to do....
Upper control arm mounts 3mm x 50 mm flat bar, ends up 6 mm for the suspension arms... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0cd95d7a.jpg Start of the suspension cradle mount... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps19d0db18.jpg Following pic's are mock ups should get an idea how this will work, tire is a 295 on a 10 1/2 inch rim, room for the 335 I'm going to run http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4e05ac29.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps95082239.jpg Shock will be centred the cradle is not level in the pic... http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps61d7d617.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa2c7cb0c.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9313e376.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf55b80a1.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psdcb7ebad.jpg http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps20bc6825.jpg |
Great concept behind this one. I love these square body trucks. I think the RHD would be cool! Tuning in to see more.
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