TCI to start new R&D Project with a C10!

[68Stepbed]

Can these engine towers be swapped side to side for a more rearward position?

[slow4dr]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

Can these engine towers be swapped side to side for a more rearward position?

No, they can't. The engine angle would be waaay off.

-J

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by slow4dr

No, they can't. The engine angle would be waaay off.

-J

Yeah, I noticed that when I got my stuff unboxed last week. I'll get it figured out, though.

[James the III]

Has this set up been test fitted to see if a stroked bbc and oil pan will clear that ..
Seems if the ls tiny oil pan didn't clear the bbc guys are sol

[slow4dr]

Originally Posted by James the III

Has this set up been test fitted to see if a stroked bbc and oil pan will clear that ..
Seems if the ls tiny oil pan didn't clear the bbc guys are sol

The big block clears just fine. Just don't run tall valve covers as they will hit the firewall.

-J

[James the III]

Originally Posted by slow4dr

The big block clears just fine. Just don't run tall valve covers as they will hit the firewall.

-J

Eck..
how much, like ball peen hammer dimple or cut,splice and weld..

[slow4dr]

Originally Posted by James the III

Eck..
how much, like ball peen hammer dimple or cut,splice and weld..

Cut, splice, weld. It's in the "tunnel" area so should not affect much else.

-J

[slow4dr]

I know it's been a while since a real update on our shop truck. Unfortuantely, we've just had too many new development projects lately so the truck has been collecting dust. So recently I approached Ed the owner and Sal the VP about spending my lunch and breaks working on the truck. This led to a situation where I would work towards finishing it and eventually it would be available for me to purchase. I've been wanting one for a long time so I am hopeful this will work out.

So anyways, with some freedom to proceed how I choose I began to mock up some things. First and foremost I put some shock simulators in place to mimick full compression of the 5.2" travel ridetech coilovers. Then I placed some wheel simulators in place mimicking 26" tall tires. I know this is probably less than what some may run but I plan to run 18x12 wheels all the way around with a 315/30/18 Falken tire which is 25.5".

Here is a pic with the frame at full compression.



The frame under the front cab mount is 5" off the ground.


Something that has been lingering in the back of my head is the original upper shock mounts we made for the front end. The engineers ditched this design early on because the truck sat too low. Basically the inner fender had to be raised with them so they felt our kit wouldn't go this route. Anyways, we still have a couple of the original design mounts sitting in a box. There is roughly 2.5" difference in height between these.





The rear axle sits above the frame but it does clear the bed.




So, I will try to keep this thread updated a little more often. It will be slow though since it will only be an hour or so at a time.

On a sidenote, we began designing the Squarebody rear suspension.

[duallyjams]

Nice lunch break project.

[slow4dr]

With the power this thing is going to make, we're going to need a strong foundation. I'll work on the back half next week.

[slow4dr]

Worked on the rear boxing plates. I removed the standard bolt-on frame plate that comes with the Torque Arm kit and placed it on top of the rail. I don't need to step the rails that far to get the desired ride height but it was a good starting point.

The frame is countoured in this area so I will have to put two bends in the new boxing plate to match the frame. R&D is really busy right now so I might not wait for them to draw these up and cut them on the plasma table. I might just trace and cut them out with the hand held plasma. Sure it's dirty but I am trying to get this thing back to a roller by the Brothers Truck Show.

[slow4dr]

Sending the frame rails out to get sand blasted. I've got a lot of work to do before the Brothers Truck Show.



We placed a rather large order with Holley and parts are starting to show up.



These 83 lb/hr injectors will likely be too small for what I've got planned. But it'll get us started on pump gas.



I've got some ideas for a coil mount that involves the valley cover. The intake manifold hasn't arrived yet so that'll have to wait.





Coil harness adapter for a factory type engine harness

[duallyjams]

Your gonna be super busy now.

[slow4dr]

There's definitely going to be some late nights and weekends in my future.

Messing around with coil mounts options today. The intake manifold is still in transit so this could all be futile.

[slow4dr]

The Holley Hi-Ram is in our possession now so we can actually do some mock up with the coils. There is plenty room to mount them underneath it. We just want to make sure that they are serviceable somewhat easily. Probably make a one piece removable shaft so they come out as a unit.



Some more major components have arrived. We haven't done a bagged shop project in a few years so this is kinda exciting. Ridetech triple adjustable shockwaves 5" travel front and 6" travel rear. Dual 3 gallon tanks, dual pumps and their pressure based ride control system.

[crakarjax]

Well I hope your cost for the truck doesn't exceed the parts cost if you're putting your own time into it! Looking good though. But why get those frame rails blasted? They look pretty clean to me...

[slow4dr]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Well I hope your cost for the truck doesn't exceed the parts cost if you're putting your own time into it! Looking good though. But why get those frame rails blasted? They look pretty clean to me...

That chassis was our display so it was already powdercaoted. I am going to box the rails though so they need to be raw. The blasting was going to cost waaay too much so I will just be grinding back all the weld areas.

[slow4dr]

So the thing about boost. It's just a measurement of restriction. Less restriction, more flow at a given pressure. On a naturally aspirated LQ4 these 230cc AFR heads would be overkill. I've already said too much. Those that know me, know the direction this is headed.









-J

[slow4dr]

We finally got the frame rails back from sandblasting. Well......they only baked it apparently. Anyways, waited this long so we are moving on.

One of the guys in the shop mentioned that we had a chassis dolly in storage. He thought it was sturdy enough to build a temporary fixture out of so we took a few guys down there and grabbed it. Sure enough, this thing is a monster and honestly I am kinda glad that it is short. This way I can place the cab and bed on it if need be. Will come in handy with doing a body drop.


I had to install a CPP driveshaft loop because the stock one would interfere with the chassis dolly.




Unfortunately, not much progress will be madefor the next week. I fly out to Louisville tomorrow for the Street Rod Nationals and I won't be back until Thursday next week.

[slow4dr]

I am finally back in town so it's time to make some real progress. I spent my lunch today tracing and cutting one of the rear boxing plates. It's sucks that I had to cut it with the hand held plasma vs. the hi-def but I can't wait for R&D to draw the plate(they're super busy finishing up the squarebody 4-Link).

So basically what we have done is give the rear suspension an extra 3.5" of travel. The bottomed out height before is where the new set up will be at ride height. I left the rail height at 6" at the step so there is plenty of strength for towing.

[slow4dr]

Here are two renderings we've been working on. Leaning towards the blue.



Making progress on the stepped rails. Just a lot of mocking up, grinding, cutting. welding and not necessarily in that order.







Dimensionally I am pretty happy with the outcome. Side to side height is perfect and front to back placement are within 1/32". I am off .25 degree of vertical on the driver side(should have cross braced it before the heat). I've still got work to do on it cosmetically though.



I am going to lay another panel on the outside here that butts up against the top of the stock frame.



Still need to drill a few holes for Rosettes.

[oldman3]

I like the blue also...Jim

[slow4dr]

August was a busy month of shows so not much progress has been made.

The boxing plates are slowly coming along though.







Braced the top of the step and cut the stock frame piece out.

[slow4dr]

Got some cool(errr hot) parts ordered this week. No picture tease yet but parts are on the way. Getting real close to engine/tranny mock up.

The frame is absolutely ugly right now but the fitment is pretty darn good. Had to section the top and bottom(note the cut) in order to pull the outer wall of the frame into the step. Still have to clean it up before laying down a bead.



I wanted to add a little extra bracing inside the frame rail where the front shock mounts. It's a just a piece of 1x2.120w tubing



Started working on the front boxing plates. I cut the driver side with the handheld plasma like I did the rears. Once it fit I used that as the tamplate for the passenger side. There will be a filler plate added to the top of the rail to close the gap.

[slow4dr]

Not a whole lot to report the last two weeks. Spent roughly 20 hours grinding all the excess pieces of frame/weld.



12.5 lbs worth



In honor of Hugh Heffner, here are the twins.