Lateral-g Forums - Nerd Rods, 55-59 Truck Frame Project 1956, C4 suspension, 5.3L Auto, Kit Frame Design

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Nerd Rods, 55-59 Truck Frame Project 1956, C4 suspension, 5.3L Auto, Kit Frame Design

Sorry, I forgot to start this thread over here so you'll all get some catch up post.

Quote:

George here in Texas contacted up about upgrading his 56 Chevy pickup like we do the passenger cars. So we talked it over and he decided he wanted us to do the work.

We're going to be building a new frame with C4 Corvette suspension, 5.3L LS motor, 4L60E automatic, Dana 44 3.42 gears, and the full swap for him. For you guys that means we're going to be developing a DIY frame for the 1955-1959 Chevy trucks just like our TriFive DIY frame. We'll be posting up updates here as we go and feel free to ask any questions.

George and his friends dropping off his truck the other day.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-01.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-02.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-03.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-04.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-05.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-06.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/01/S-07.jpg

Looking at these photos again is sad, just wait until you see what was under the paint. Lets just say, we're using the hood....... And that's it.........

Later
-Russell

Hi Russell,

Looking forward to seeing you transform that heap. :D

Cool Russel, can wait to see what ou guys to do this one!

Cool Russell!! I'll be watching this one. :thumbsup: :gitrdun:

Gonna be one cool build for sure!

I'm going to enjoy this !

Quote:

Sad thing, we're not even using the bed once we cut into it.

-Russell

Wow big project Russell, what sort of ride height will your frame give under one of these? Looking forward to this build. I learn a lot from your builds and the way your prepared to change and make parts better in your builds, I like this honesty.....:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomo5150 (Post 488221)

So I've decided to offer 2 ride heights for this, the C4 version. The problem with our C5/6 frame was final price and body modifications. Because of the required body modifications and the really high price because of all the special parts no one could afford it so we halted development of that frame for the time begin. People would call wanting one but after 3-4 hours of walking them through the project the call would end with "thanks for your time but I can't afford that" and I would be out hours of time explaining it.

Here's a video of the Self Jigging frame we offer for the 55-57 Chevy Cars, TriFive's
This is me welding the frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbA4Uoq4vfA

This is the instructional animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZL9UZtz2G4

No back to the truck it self

BEHOLD, the new truck. Found on Craigs List with 2-3 hours of searching for 2-3 days. BARN FIND!! See how little rust is on the cab.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-01.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-02.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-03.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-04.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-05.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-06.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-07.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-08.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-09.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-10.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-11.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/03/S-12.jpg

Russell,

What a clean looking truck you've got to work with now.

Diggin all the pics and info. :thumbsup:

Got the data mostly sorted and I've been deciphering the factory assembly manual for what each model is, like a model 3104 is your basic short wheel base 2WD truck but change that 0 for a 5 making it 3154 and now its the 4WD model. 3105 is the panel truck but a 3106 or 3116 is a Suburban with different rear doors. You basically have to memorize all of these because a random body mount or hole will be on the blue print but have a number next to it.

So to make it simple. Our frame will only be for the Short Wheel Base cars or the 3100 series. You will have a nice place to cut the frame and make it longer for guys wanting to do custom wheel base cars (I'm going to make a shop truck with a 16" flat bed on this frame) and we might make a kit for it later on or your just going to have to put on your big boy hot rodder pants and just cut it yourself.

Now onto this car. I send these a few days ago to a few people when I just

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-01.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-02.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-03.jpg

So I wanted to check the motor clearance as well so I dropped the LQ4 in as well to see how it looked. The goal is to make sure you won't need mod the firewall and it looks like we're going to have plenty of room.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-04.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-07.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-08.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-09.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-10.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-11.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-12.jpg

So I'll go over some of the ascetic choices. First I'm moving the wheel base out from 114 to 115. I'm moving the front wheels forward to fill the well better but I'm moving them forward by 1.00". The back wheels always look fine but the front always looks to far back and this makes it look correct with the lower body.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-05.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...55/05/S-06.jpg

Feel free to ask questions and I'll start answering so I can send people here instead of writing the same email over and over again.

Later
-Russell

Nice work Russell! Just a quick question, will the battery be on the firewall or will you be putting it some where else?

Thanks!

Russell what other frames do you plan on building?? 2nd gen??? :relax: just a thought.

Can't wait to see this build unfold. We will have to talk when my Nomad is finished as I want something for my 61 bubble top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver (Post 489431)

Nice work Russell! Just a quick question, will the battery be on the firewall or will you be putting it some where else?

Thanks!

There will be room on the frame in the bed as well as room under the passengers seat but people who want to run their battery in the stock location will be able to as well. We might make a kit to mount it down there but we'll probably just leave that to you guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick D (Post 489441)

Russell what other frames do you plan on building?? 2nd gen??? :relax: just a thought.

Right now we do the 55-57 Passenger cars and we're devolving the 55-59 Trucks here an now. My plans are more trucks, A-bodies and C2/3 Corvettes. I'm not really planning anything for the F-bodies because I feel that the market is hugely over saturated but if enough people beat on my door I might change my mind. I'm always listening and making tally's on my list here at the shop. I've even got a few requests for 57 Cadillac frames on the list. But C10's have the top spot closely followed by the A-bodies. I feel the Corvette will be a good place as well. 63-83, 19 years in one frame, that's a hard market to overlook.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB (Post 489475)

Can't wait to see this build unfold. We will have to talk when my Nomad is finished as I want something for my 61 bubble top.

NICE! They are longer at 119 but you might be able to mod one of the TriFive frames to fit with some work. Y'all should check out Scott's 55 Nomad project, https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=41965

Thanks again
-Russell

So I just got a little more data into the computer about the bed and then I remembered. For a no body modifications frame the floor board of the cab and the motor aren't the biggest problem...... Its the bed and the rear suspension. Turns out at 6" off the ground the bed hits the differential pretty badly. So we're going with 8" off the ground as your "I want corvette suspension but I don't want to cut my body period!" option seen here. This will give you miles under the hood and a completely stock bed as well for guys who just want to buy everything OEM stock ish for finish out.
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/S-13.jpg

And 4" off the ground, seen here. The frame will be shaped as such that even this low you won't need to cut the bed steel braces just the wood to clear.
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/S-14.jpg

And just for you guys who didn't know this is 14" off the ground or STOCK!
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/S-15.jpg

And for it to all make more since here's a cool animation. Click to see the 1080 version with more detail, Warning the image is huge by computer standers so it might take a few to download.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ation_S-01.gif

I'm going back to work, you kids keep those question coming. Its egging me on!

Later
-Russell

Transmission looks like its going to be cake. This is a 4L60E model and its got tons of room. I couldn't find my 4L80 model on the computer.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-25.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-26.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-27.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-28.jpg

So the customer asked me to CAD up his wheels to see what they would look like. These are 18" Foose Nitrous II 18" with 245/40/R18 up front and 275/40/R18 out rear.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-29.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-30.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-31.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-32.jpg

Also did some pocketing magic and now we've got an even longer shock (we already offered more wheel travel than the major competition.) And I've got miles of room for Ridetech Shockwaves, We area dealer for Ridetech as well so I hope to have that kit worked out soon enough.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-33.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/05/s-34.jpg

Last note, We we'll make these frame rails air tight. You will be able to use the frame as an air tank and no have to mount it anywhere.

Thanks again
-Russell

I wish your frame kit was around before I started my stock frame alteration. Makes me want to build another one. Great work and looks like it is going to be nice finished product. Seems like the price is going to be good for the weld it your selfs out there.

Wow, this it going to be a killer truck when complete. I can see how the Nerd fits into Nerd Rods. You guys have some cool toys to use!

Nice work Russell! Keep the updates coming!!

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-11.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-12.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-13.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-14.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-15.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-16.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-17.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-18.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/06/S-19.jpg

Getting close, I've got 280 lbs of frame in the computer now we're just dialing in the fine details, making sure all cuts are normal to the surface, giving the tabs the proper tolerances, and working on clearing some small sections on the body and making decisions on where and if we want to do a little cutting on the bed braces. I also whipped up a set of Foose Nitrous II's in 18's for the customer to get a feel for the look on them.

I've got most of the prototype frames spoken for, so it won't be long now!

Later
-Russell

Very nice! I really like the changes made to the mounts for the front cradle/clip!!

Detail work now. I'm happy with the shape and we've taken care of most every clearance issue I can think of with these tucks and got the number of parts down compared to the TriFive frame so there will be less welding and will make it easier to assemble but still similar in several ways to give the frame some parallel to the other frames to make guys who have welded one feel familiar with the other.

We've got the Corvette stuff dialed in now but we will have life axle support like the TriFive frame as well. I've sold a few of the truck frames besides this project already but they are all welded frames so I won't need to make instructions just yet. I'll do a time lapse of the second frame I weld for you guys to see how I do it.

You can see two key thinks with this frame in the fuel and brake system support, still working on where and how to place the fuel tank and the 4" tall tubing risers to give the optional ride heights for different builders.

But I know what you all really want, pictures, lots and lots of pictures. So here's your fix.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-01.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-02.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-03.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-04.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-05.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-06.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-07.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-08.jpg http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/07/S-09.jpg

Later
-Russell

Looks good, would this work with a 56 suburban? :hello:

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovyjay (Post 497711)

Looks good, would this work with a 56 suburban? :hello:

The Suburban has some different body mounts. I'm working on a kit that you will have to buy separate but yes, other than that its all the same and you will be able to run on the Suburban, Cary All, or Pannel Truck bodies.

-Russell

Frame is awesome Russell.:thumbsup:

It does look awesome! Just wanted to say that I had to cut the front of my 58 frame to fit the 57 clip, that and other things Ive read suggest the 58-59 frames are longer in the front.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver (Post 501763)

It does look awesome! Just wanted to say that I had to cut the front of my 58 frame to fit the 57 clip, that and other things Ive read suggest the 58-59 frames are longer in the front.

Yes indeed! That and because the front bumper bolting face will have different heights due to the multiple ride heights the bumper parts will be bolt on's.

DONE!!!!!! MAW HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/...ll/08/M-09.jpg

Just got it all sent off to the laser yesterday. I've got some quality control books to make up so the guys cutting the parts won't miss anything but we should have a frame to weld up in 2-5 weeks. They need to poke around and see what time frames look like over there before I can get a solid time frame.

Thanks
-Russell

Outstanding! Can't wait to see it as a roller!!

Got a call from the laser, I'll head to Dallas next week to pick up the parts!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rat_rod_russell (Post 505955)

Got a call from the laser, I'll head to Dallas next week to pick up the parts!

Russell, what laser/cnc guy do you use in Dallas? Been looking for someone here to do some custom, design work for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle (Post 505991)

Russell, what laser/cnc guy do you use in Dallas? Been looking for someone here to do some custom, design work for me.

Their just a job shop and don't do design, sorry.