My Wife's 55.2 C4 Carryall / Suburban build

[ChuckDriver]

Here's one I saved from the web many years ago.

[fabguy]

Thank you Chuckdriver,
I wonder if that is lowered or a stock stance, either way I love it. Also love that color too.

[fabguy]

Update to the build:
I made it down to FlatOut engineering today and bought the front kit for my burban. I also started fabricating the rear mounts for the C4. Now I just have to figure out if I need to notch the frame 1" to mount the rear section. When I get to do the front I am probably going to notch the front in also to give it a meaner look.
I have been trying to find pics of a stock install of the flat out kit with the stance so I can get an idea how it will look untouched.









as for the setup I am making, 3"x3" x .188" wall sq tubing. width at top of slot is 1-1/2" tapered out to 1/4" height is 2-1/2"

just in case someone wanted to try them. I made them a lil shallow as I might be boxing & notching into the frame.



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[FarmerSid]

Cool! Please take some more pictures of the C4 IRS install. I am doing the same in my 51 and the more idea's the better. Nice big shop! Mine's not as big (36'X40'X12') Nice to have the room.

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by FarmerSid

Cool! Please take some more pictures of the C4 IRS install. I am doing the same in my 51 and the more idea's the better. Nice big shop! Mine's not as big (36'X40'X12') Nice to have the room.

Ok will do, I am looking at flipping the sway bar on top of the frame and notching the top of the frame so they align better and so I can fit the rear fuel tank into it. I have to get the fuel tank measurements soon, so I can bend and weld it up.
my shop is 50' x 50' total, then i lose alot of valuable space because of the offices, and Bathrooms.

[fabguy]

Update:

I welded in the C-Notch for the axles, and for the wing mount. I decided to lower the frame onto the suspension/support wing by 1". I will box it in for added strength. I C-Notched the frame around the axles to give it a little more travel since it usually has about 3-1/2" - 4", I wanted it to have 5" since there isn't any bump stops. I also started to relocate the rear sway bar on top of the frame and found that I will have to fabricate a different mount so that it doesn't travel high enough to hit the body if the rear wheel gets compressed up.
I will post pics soon of the progress and notches etc, etc, with all necessary info incase someone else wants to do the same.


I spoke to a buddy today about my frame and what my suspicions where, and he told me I had a GMC frame. It explained alot once he told me about the differences in Chevy & GMC frames and products.
I want to say: Thank You BAM.

[Baldeagle SR]

Nice work . What is the difference in the frames? I have a GMC. Thanks Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Nice work . What is the difference in the frames? I have a GMC. Thanks Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Thank you.
The difference would be the radiator support mounting as GMC is on the crossmember while chevy is on the frame rail, and the thickness of the metal. Mine is 3/16"

[fabguy]

ok all,
Pictures as promised with descriptions:
these pictures will bounce around abit to give you an idea as to why/ how I did it.

this pic is is of it installed but not welded yet to give you an idea of where I had described the notch placement. The round tubing is a gradeB seamless tube that is 5-1/2" OD x .190 wall to match the frame thickness. FYI; the height of the round notch is 2" high in the center from the ends.



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In these pic's it shows it welded in place before I cut the frame. I did it this way to keep the frame as straight as I could in the rear. As we all know, when you weld something up it tends to pull it. I welded the tops last, and havent cut the frame yet to keep this at a minimum. My next step is too cut the frame out in the notch area, then add the boxing plates to it last.( I might add a piece of 1-1/2"x1-1/2" x .250 wall square tubing to the inside above the notches to re-inforce this area, then add the boxing plates)




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**This is a simple tool I made up to be able to check the level ness of the rear of the frame during notching. the front part and the rear part on both sides of the axle hump should be level through the whole process. Mine has only pulled down almost 1/16" or a heavy 1/32".( YES, I am a little anal about these things, but I was taught from the old school of " do it once, and do it right, but measure 100 times to get there")
Keep in mind that I haven't cut the frame yet either, so image how hard it would pull it if it was already cut.



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So finally how I got to that point in the previous pics is:

This square tubing is 3"x3"x.250 wall. I have measured from the side 1-1/4" for cutting on the one side. (both pieces will be from this 2-1/16" long section) Other side is split right down the middle. I used a grinder with a cutting blade from HF, those are very inexpensive and do a great job.



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Then in this pic it shows that I cut it with coping the ends where it will sit in the frame (bent areas).



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So what I am trying to do is match up these 2 parts so I can in essence weld them up together on each side of the frame





Top of this bracket should be very close to the top of the frame rail after all is welded up.





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[fabguy]

These pics are of the Crossmember I bought from flat out. As you can see in pictures the unit is worth the money they are asking, not to mention the time saved by having someone else engineer it. The welding it has is beautifull and will make a nice garnish next to my ugly welds.







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This picture is of the suspension wing at corvette ride height of 16-1/2". I have a Complete car sitting here so it has made my life alot easier to get measurements from it. Part of why I wanted to notch the stock 55-59 frame to get it lower. Body rocker is about 5-1/2 below this line so I desided to lower it another 1" - 1-1/2" to give it a meaner look when complete.





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[Kim57]

Very nice fab work.
Kim

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Very nice fab work.
Kim

thank you Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work, very well thought out!

[LOW A D]

Nice job fabguy! I just finished a c4 suspension conversion in a 62 corvette for a customer. I like the c4 setup and plan to use it on some future projects as well

[Flames97]

Really nice work.

[Kabwe]

Hey man was fun kicking it at your shop, talking, and doing a little fab work and mockup. I really like that flat out piece its going to look great in that truck. You have a very nice shop man.

You know I ready to install that thing, lucky your wife called for dinner.lol I was ready to get serious man.lol My wife called and said "You getting dirty huh, I know you are".lol Let that man get to his family he does not know how nutty you are when it comes to cars.lol

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Nice work, very well thought out!

Thank you sir, I appreciate it.
I hate redoing things so I try to plan as well as I can. Plus it helps that I am almost never satisfied until I am ready LOL.

Originally Posted by LOW A D

Nice job fabguy! I just finished a c4 suspension conversion in a 62 corvette for a customer. I like the c4 setup and plan to use it on some future projects as well

Thank You LOW A D.
Yeah man, You can't beat the quality of a Corvette ride for the price especially. I have a donor car for the 39 chevy, I talked to a friend today that has a FlatOut crossmember and rear brackets that he isn't going to use since he sold his car.

Originally Posted by Flames97

Really nice work.

Thank you sir, I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Hey man was fun kicking at your shop, talking, and doing a little fab work and mockup. I really like that flat out piece its going to look great in that truck. You have a very nice shop man.

Thank you VERY much for the help today, I really appreciate it. Especially since it is a long drive for you. Thanks about the shop, it is handy doing projects between customer orders and really handy having the big machines.

Originally Posted by Kabwe

You know I ready to install that thing, lucky your wife called for dinner.lol I was ready to get serious man.lol My wife called and said "You getting dirty huh, I know you are".lol Let that man get to his family he does not know how nutty you are when it comes to cars. lol

LOL, I was ready to finish it also.
Yeah I got home just in time, BTW, My wife said it was a pleasure to meet you and to thank you for helping me out.

Oh I am just as nutty when it comes to cars and fabricating.
Last year I was told before to be home in a bit (5pm) and forgot about the time, and lo and behold next thing I knew it was 1030 pm or so. Man, she was not happy.

Thank You again Bam. I will be calling soon.

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[fabguy]

I got some orders to get done so progress on the frame yet. I will post it and pictures when I get a chance to get back on it.

[fabguy]

Update,
I have completely notched, boxed and welded the rear section. I found that it had pulled the absolute rear section down about 5/16" from stock. I am going to slice the rear boxing plate and use a 1-1/2 ton hoist too pull the rear of center of the frame down to try to pull it back into place then weld it up again.
I am hoping to have the rear section done in the next week if things permit. I just have to order some large rod ends and tubing or try to find some reasonable dog bone arms as mine are a composite that only came on the 84-85 C4's. I probably won't ever be an issue but GM (gubment motors) switched them for some reason. maybe failure? If thats the case I dont wanna be the one to find out after I get this thing on the road.

[Baldeagle SR]

Fabguy Somewhere on these forms I read where a guy put the c4 suspension on there truck and I believe he used the same front crossmember as you did. and he had problems with the upper a frame support bracket flexing. Just a thought. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Fabguy Somewhere on these forms I read where a guy put the c4 suspension on there truck and I believe he used the same front crossmember as you did. and he had problems with the upper a frame support bracket flexing. Just a thought. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Hmmm. do you happen to remember anything related to it? for a search?

[Baldeagle SR]

I tried to do a search myself and I couldn't find it.I do remember he had to add a gusset to the vertical plate. and it seemed his exaust manifold was in the way. Sorry not much help.
Rich

[fabguy]

I really appreciate the heads up and the search for me. I tried also myself and couldnt find anything close. I guess I will just have to try it out and fix it if it arises.

[hammerdog57]

[QUOTE=fabguy;6416971]I really appreciate the heads up and the search for me. I tried also myself and couldnt find anything close. I guess I will just have to try it out and fix it if it arises.[/QUOI remember following his build he has a nice 55-57 orange small window truck. Hasnt been on here in a while. I think he was from oklahoma?

[fabguy]

[quote=hammerdog57;6417236]

Originally Posted by fabguy

I really appreciate the heads up and the search for me. I tried also myself and couldnt find anything close. I guess I will just have to try it out and fix it if it arises.[/QUOI remember following his build he has a nice 55-57 orange small window truck. Hasnt been on here in a while. I think he was from oklahoma?

Sweet thanks. Gonna go check the photo thread and see if I can find him.