No. I am not dead yet. So here's a question on Chassis Stiffening...

[Paul Y]

Well, well, well... Look what the proverbial cat has drug in.

Definitely not dead and finally getting back into the saddle with Young Woody after a forced 3ish year hiatus.

So, here is the question then chaps. Please bear in mind that I don't have two brass farthings to rub together so I will be making all of this stuff myself rather than purchasing from one of the fine vendors on this site.

I want to strengthen the chassis on my 66 shortbed.

Why? LS - Turbo - Manual.

Spent a lot of time looking at how others have done it and wanted to throw my thoughts into the mix and get some feedback.

I have had a look at what Summit are offering (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-770820/overview/)

And think that I can do something better.

My thought is to box the chassis between the trailing arm crossmember forward to the front cab mount.

Then use the idea of summits tubular stiffener but instead of going back the chassis at the rear tie it into the trailing arm crossmember.

I would then use removable crossmembers to tie the two sides together and provide a support for the gearbox.

Behind the trailing arm crossmember, box in as far back as possible and then triangulate from the centre of that crossmember back to the boxing.

Yup, know that I will get a more rigid chassis if I tie the top AND bottom of the chassis but runout of room real quick...

Will get a badly drawn diagram to illustrate when I get back to the ranch.

Thoughts welcome.

P.

[88Stanger]

I cannot answer your question, BUT I did not know that Summit offered this! I may just need to get this! Thank you for showing.

[88Stanger]

Well damn, its on order now. LOL
Got to return the motor mounts and tranny crossmember. May be stuck with a new uninstalled rear trailing arm adjustable mount.

[WunTon]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Well damn, its on order now. LOL
Got to return the motor mounts and tranny crossmember. May be stuck with a new uninstalled rear trailing arm adjustable mount.

What trailing arm mount? I may be interested but not sure if shipping across the country would make it not worth it for either of us! Feel free to pm me.

Edit: if you're looking to sell it that is. I'm in no rush.

[vin63]

I boxed my frame from the rear shock crossmember to the front crossmember. I used a couple of round tubes for additional bracing, including the transmission mount and a rear torsion sway bar behind the rear end housing.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by WunTon

What trailing arm mount? I may be interested but not sure if shipping across the country would make it not worth it for either of us! Feel free to pm me.

Edit: if you're looking to sell it that is. I'm in no rush.

PM Sent

[88Stanger]

Paul Y,

There is a Youtube of the install i found. I really like that it motor mounts and tranny mount, the tranny mount is included.
If you would like, when i get it i will take a bunch of pics and measurements if that helps you?

[Paul Y]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Paul Y,

There is a Youtube of the install i found. I really like that it motor mounts and tranny mount, the tranny mount is included.
If you would like, when i get it i will take a bunch of pics and measurements if that helps you?

I would really appreciate that, thank you.

P.

[Paul Y]

Glad that I could help you out!

By the time I got this shipped to the uk it would probably add another $300 plus $2-300 in tax.

Materials I have priced at $200 plus probably a day of thinking and 2 days making so it doesn’t make sense for me to not make it.

Still interested if anyone has thoughts on my initial question.

P.

[Paul Y]

Here is my thinking when it comes to the bracing.

Make sense??



https://imgur.com/Lpj3eV9

Think I have it right but want to check with others because..hey..the internet....

P.

Images don't want to play ball....grrrr.....

[Paul Y]

Hey Stanger.

Tried to send you a pm but your box is full.

Did you ever get the crossmember?

P.

[SCOTI]

Here are some ideas I've collected for my 67 RetroRod. I thought I would share in case it helps. These are from a truck that Hotchkis Suspension was involved in:

[SCOTI]

My plan has always been something resembling the pre-63 C10 frames updating the design to allow additional clearance. No Limit Engineering does a similar concept:

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

My plan has always been something resembling the pre-63 C10 frames updating the design to allow additional clearance. No Limit Engineering does a similar concept:

I looked on their website and did not find this kit. Is it a kit or is it an entire frame?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

I looked on their website and did not find this kit. Is it a kit or is it an entire frame?

It's the center section of their Pro Tech chassis.

[Paul Y]

Thanks Scotti.

I have a plan in my head that, once I get the cab off the chassis, will either be doable or not.

Have taken a good hard look at what Summit and Portabuilt have done and have decided that I can make a close proximity myself with my metal glue gun and a big hammer. The problem with running 'X' across the top and bottom of the chassis is that when I blow something up it is going to make access quite difficult.

Lots to learn so really appreciate the pictures.

Anymore?

P.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Thanks Scotti.

I have a plan in my head that, once I get the cab off the chassis, will either be doable or not.

Have taken a good hard look at what Summit and Portabuilt have done and have decided that I can make a close proximity myself with my metal glue gun and a big hammer. The problem with running 'X' across the top and bottom of the chassis is that when I blow something up it is going to make access quite difficult.

Lots to learn so really appreciate the pictures.

Anymore?

P.

The answer is yes it will.. But, if you put some thought into the design the center pieces could be set-up as modular (bolt-in) to make access easier.

My plan was to utilize the old, ECE original/first aftermarket Truck Arm x-members (one @ the T/A mounting point & one @ the trans mounting point). From there, I'll lay out c-channels to triangulate the rails to the x-members. I want to use thicker 3/16" angle as my perimeter 'shape' & thinner material that's been swiss-cheesed as the fill material. This should help keep things lighter than just using 3/16" material for everything while being easy to obtain local & then cut to size to fab in house vs. purchasing pre-formed steel channel or a pre-built frame insert.

I wish I could just drop 15-20k on an 'engineered'/built frame set-up but I just don't have that coin to do so (for just one area of a project). I have to use the suspension/geometry improvements made (learned) since these trucks were created, stiffen up the frame I have to the best of my ability, & adjust where things go to get a set-up that has the ride height I want w/the suspension travel/quality I want.

[RockTonka]

We did something similar on our 66 burb. Boxed the frame, reworked and boxed the rear trailing arm crossmember, plated the crossmember over the rear axle, and added some tubing to stiffen the chassis...it seems to be sufficient.

[Paul Y]

Scotti - feel you on the "wish" to buy a turn key chassis to drop my cab and body onto. Apart from the cash, legally in the UK that would be a massive No No as I would need to comply with modern safety standards etc. Doable but costly and not a route I particularly want to go down.

RockTonka - That is pretty much what I had own my head as the way to do it apart from I am thinking of taking the forward bar to the front cab mount area to allow my exhaust system to run inside the chassis. What size material did you use for the bars? And did you box the original cross member? If so looks like a great idea.

Did it make a big difference to the ride quality and handling?

Thanks for the feedback and interest in the subject matter gentlemen.

P.

[88Stanger]

Damn, you guys are getting me thinking now. The Summit kit has been on backorder now since Jan. so i am passing on this. They cannot give me date when and the date just keeps moving out further and further....

[Paul Y]

Looking forward to hearing, and seeing, your opinion on the Summit kit Mr. Stanger.

Would appreciate the dimensions etc when it arrives.

P.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by Paul Y

Looking forward to hearing, and seeing, your opinion on the Summit kit Mr. Stanger.

Would appreciate the dimensions etc when it arrives.

P.

I will do. Pics and measurements.

[88Stanger]

So, i got the Summit frame Brace in and here are some pics. It includes Engine Mounts that work with Early Tall and Narrow engine mounts and some LS mounts. It also comes with a tranny mount that will work with old and new transmissions, auto and 4-Speeds.
Please note that i have yet to test the Engine and tranny mount.
There are 4 separate pieces that bolt to the inside of the frame then the main brace bolts to them.

[88Stanger]

more of the engine mount

[88Stanger]

transmission mount