'51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

First time on this site. I got a bug in me and decided to take on a old car build. When I happened upon AD truck from SW Missouri I starting the planning and ordering. I'm all about handling and balance so this is what I came up with...

LQ4 6.0 with a carb conversion, 750 Demon carb
T-56 6-speed from a 04-07 Cadillac CTS-V
Heidt's superride 2 with 550# springs
05-06 GTO independent rear with coilover conversion
GTO/C5/C6 Vette brakes


Pictures:

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Some more...

-Old tractor pan seat with fabricated seat backs and adjustable brackets
-Tubular floor subframe with removable floor and trans tunnel
-Very, very stiff frame...

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

More

-Manual wipers...
-Wilwood 3 master cylinder setup with balance bar on brakes
-custom linkage for shifter

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

More...

-Aim Mychron 3 race digital dash
-Drive shaft shop custom drive shaft
- dual 3" X-over exhaust with 10 series flowmasters
- Simpson cam lock 4-point harnesses

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

sweet!

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

How did you get the front GTO brakes to mount on the mustang spindles?

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Made a bracket from some 1/4" steel plate. Same design as the Heidt's kit that mounts the Willwood superlight calipers...which I still have if anyone is interested.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Killer....Jim

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

You have awesome vision and skills to help us see it. Sweet build. I like where you're going with this.
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Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Killer project. Where did you find the tractor seats?

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Very cool setup. Interested to see the finished product from just this work.

Question:

I am just started to get my toes into Chassis Engineering. In the future, I would like to put something underneath my '49 that is autocross worthy. I have miles to go (in the learning section) before I even do. However, when I see guys who run a more "complex" suspension setup, I see a large amount of them reusing the stock frame (boxing and bracing).

Is the frame really that structurally sound than just boxing and bracing it will allow you to run it hard?

Reason I ask, I never pictured these frames to be setup (dimensions and geometry) for running this as an autocross setup even with the bracing and boxing. Seems I was wrong, but I am wondering what I missed.

Thanks.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Herb Adams Book Chassis engineering will help.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Ebay. The home for tons of crap...

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

It's an interesting balance. A race car chassis is tuned through the suspension. That lessens the variability and helps consistent feedback. A street car has compliance in the chassis for comfort and cost. The older trucks are designed for ultimate compliance. Riveted frames are great for driving all over a farm pasture and not developing stress cracks. I wanted to use some of the frame for my build but realized early the original cross bracing and C-channel wasn't going to cut it. The size of the beam itself isn't bad (roughly 6X3" in some areas). So the issue becomes how its boxed and what system is used for torsional rigidity. I used a series of cross members and triangulated that all together. I also solid mounted the engine and cab. The cab has a rigid subfloor that helps stiffness. Now, this is never going to be as stiff and caged vehicle or anything that has a frame further away from the axis of torsion (like a good unibody or monocoque), but pretty good none the less.

The wheelbase is 116" I believe. This makes a terrible auto-X vehicle. Mixed with the width and vision perspective and you have a cone eater. I wanted to take my truck to a solo event for giggles but haven't got there yet. Any chassis can be tuned if you put the time and effort in. My opinion:

1. Ditch the front suspension
2. 4-link a rear end
3. Box the frame from the front coil mounts to the rear coilover mounts
4. Add extra bracing at transmission mount and 4-link mount
5. Get everything reasonably low (engine and suspension) to control polar moments. *don't exceed the suspension's optimal position because you'l get all types of bump induced crap*

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Just snagged his book a few weeks ago and started it on Sunday. Taking notes. It is a great read.



Very interesting. Thanks for the response. Either way, a "cone eater" is not what I am thinking. If yours is a cone eater, mine will be a "wall pounder".

Awesome ride though.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Interesting. I like what you're doing. I do wonder though, with the cornering capability of that hot rod, how you're going to keep your ass in that tractor seat.:lol:

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

4-point

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Anyone else up at Woodward Dream Cruise this last weekend? Was an amazing weekend with a lot of interesting vehicles.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

friday was cool, saturday was a 6 mile long, 5 lane parking lot :D
nice ride, my butt hates your seats :D:D:D

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

This is great. Can u show more pics of the motor mounts and also how they attached to the frame?

I like the dataloger. Did you make the mount in the dash or did it come with a weldable metal insert?

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Motor mount - 3/16 steel with a gusset. Also made the column mount for the AIM Mychron.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Any updates?

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

It's done in the spirit of the rat. This is up at Woodward Dream Cruise.

Re: '51 3100 Rust-O-Rod
 

Man that's bad arse. Great job.
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