1952 Chevy Vette Farm Truck Build

[FarmerSid]

Need some help fella's. I needs some frame dimensions. I have the factory shop manuals on CD but the dimensions are blurry and very hard to read. Anybody have any clearer drawings?

Are the frame rails straight from the front to just behind the C notch and then taper in?

Thanks.

[FarmerSid]

Back at it! Cold is letting up and hockey season is pretty much done. Got out to the barn for a few hours the other day. Started making a larger C notch.

[99 to Life]

aaaawwwwwsuuuuuuummmmm

[oossuuu754]

Looking good! Cant wait to see this one come together!

[FarmerSid]

Thanks guy's.......I finally got the frame square and started on the new notches to lower the frame to the desired height with the D44 Corvette IRS. Hope it works out.

Material used is a bit heavier than I would have liked but that's what I have. Running boards should be off the ground 5"-6" when done.

The black marker shows where I did the cutting to make it as strong as possible. Gotta love those zip disks.

[FarmerSid]

Here's a few of the installed notch. A bit more metal finishing but 99% done. On to the next side.









You can kinda see how much more of a notch there is compared to stock. Basically, the bottom of the new notch is at the same height as the top of the old notch. I will have enough room to locate the cross members up or down a bit on the new notches to fine tune the ride height.

I want the retain the factory looking but have to contend with the rear toe bars hitting the frame hence the notch being a bit wide at the frame rails.

[Advanced Design]

Great idea! Looks really good. I like the flow.

[SSABMUD]

Sweet. Jealous of that suspension.

[oldman3]

Very nice...Jim

[Hawkerdriver]

Nice job I want to follow..

[FarmerSid]

A bit of an update. Got the other C notch in on the weekend.










Not sure of the next step I should take. Chime in with your idea's.

I think next I should put the cab back on the frame, put on a bed side and center the rear wheel in the fender opening. Do the same with the front by putting on a fender and centering the wheel. After that, nail in the front and rear suspension.

Once that's done, finish boxing in the frame and add some cross bracing.

Sound like a plan?

[oossuuu754]

Looks good. Keep plugging along, cant wait to the IFS installed in this thing.

[JJorgensen52]

Originally Posted by FarmerSid

I think next I should put the cab back on the frame, put on a bed side and center the rear wheel in the fender opening. Do the same with the front by putting on a fender and centering the wheel. After that, nail in the front and rear suspension.

Once that's done, finish boxing in the frame and add some cross bracing.

Sound like a plan?

That's more or less how I'm doing it, except since I'm frame swapping I'm centering the bed over the rear axle, then setting the cab and running boards and positioning my front stub to suit. I say go for it!

[Advanced Design]

Looks really good! Your planned next steps make perfect sense to me. Have fun!

[99 to Life]

nice work, yeah sounds like a good plan to me. Getting the wheels where they need to be is def a big step. Gonna determine where your driveline goes to some extent and the make or break look of the ride. I'm sure you'll nail it though.

You should hurry up so I can take your ideas for my next build!!!!! Been thinking either m2 with a custom 4 link bagged, or c4 front suspension on OG frame. Gonna take a break from the s10 frame and see what I like doing better.

[FarmerSid]

Thanks all! Tonight I plan on doing some CAD work and coming up with some brackets to mount the batwing to the frame.

[FarmerSid]

Well.....I cleaned up a bit, dropped the frame down on the IRS and set the frame to where I might want it at ride height. Front running board brackets are at 5 3/4" off the ground.

Looks like I should have made my C notches a bit bigger. The toe bars are pretty close to the frame. Either get a toe bar re-locator kit to lower the bars to the bottom or raise my ride height. I won't decide on that till I get the cab on the frame with a bed side and fender and front fender.

Things look tight that I may not be able to run a sway bar. I've read that some say it's not needed. I'd like to have the option to install it if needed.

Anyway's, here is some pictures of tonight's progress. So far, things look like the truck is going to be low! I like it! We will see once I mock up the sheet metal.

[FarmerSid]

Some more.....

[FarmerSid]

and more....

[FarmerSid]

I ground off the mounting pads on the batwing for a smoother look. I also ordered a new suspension bushing kit for both the IFS and IRS today. The lower rear drivers side is really bad. That has to be fixed before I locate it. The drivers tire is way out. Looks like the toe bar is bent a little too.

Good thing about what I saw tonight is that the rims seem to have a bit too much back space. They could be pushed out a bit. That will be determined when I get a bedside and fender on.











That's it for now. May go out after the kids are in bed and play. We'll see. Till then, have a good night.

Pick things apart if you see problems.......

[Advanced Design]

Looks good! Do the control arms mount inside the frame?

[FarmerSid]

No. They will end up on the outside.

[FarmerSid]

T Bone, returned your PM.

[Sim6]

Good looking build!

[T bone]

Thanks for the reply. First things first...Damm, what a great build. You are the man!
I'm planning to use a 'Vette IRS on my project so I'm watch your progress and method with interest. Here at a few questions from a newbie.
What were the primary factors for choosing the 44 over the 36? How much horsepower are you expecting?
I assume the reason for the large frame mod is to allow for the lowered stance you are targeting...what do you think would be the lowest ride height possible without this frame notch?
Thanks