1950 Chevy Stock to Hot Rod Project

[duwem]

Got my first weld nut welded on the backside of the frame. I bought some from fastenal that had a pilot on them but didnt like how that worked, so I chucked it up in the lath and machined that down some. They still have 3 standoffs on them which allows some more weld penetration so I will likely use them vs standard nuts.

Attached is a picture of the nut. They are 3/8" so I'm drilling out the holes in the frame and the brackets slightly since the rivets I took out were a little under 3/8"

Once I get a few more welded on and get the process down I will post some pictures.

[duwem]

My wife tells me my frame boxing plates and tubular transmission x member showed up today from Progressive Automotive. Great service, ordered them earlier this week.

Will post pictures and details on what I think of them once I see them.

[chevythechief]

Originally Posted by duwem

I need to come up with a few parts for the complete vette front and rear, so it will come out to be about $1000 which appears to be the going price if you can find something local. Ebay will get you there too, but then theres shipping and the rear is large.

I'm planning on Flat Out Engineering front and rear crossmembers.

I know in the end it may not be much cheaper, but I figure Vette vs mustang 2 and a 4 link I will have a lot more to show for (polished front and rear components, coil over shocks, a truck that actually HANDLES).

Yeah, that´s the spirit, the IRS way it is... I´m picking up my vette rear end in the beginning of next week. Keep up the good work!

[duwem]

Here are pictures of the Progressive Automotive X member. First shows how it ships, second the pipes just laying there.

Welds are beautiful and it arived only a few days after I ordered it!

[bitbitn]

looks good, i just finished putting on the same cowl panel your working on, good luck. mine took some work to get it to fit.

[oldman3]

X-member looks good....Jim

[mknittle]

looks good.I am looking to make something like that for mine.

[Wybrow]

I'm very interested to see where this goes.

[duwem]

Here is a picture from the website of the x member installed with boxing plates. Mine will look the same when done.

Got a bunch more frame holes filled and getting the weld nut process down for the stuff I'm bolting to the frame.

This is going to be a long and expensive process, but slowly chipping away at it.

I figure I will have $10k int to rolling/driving chassis easy by the time I do brakes, steering, engine fuel and electronics and transmission...

[sevt_chevelle]

Nice job on the frame so far. Really looking forward to seeing the Flat out IFS installed, am stuck between Flat out and Scotts.

[52 Rat]

Did you get the front IFS installed? I like the build!

[duwem]

Still smoothing frame rails, then its to the boxing plates, then suspension....

[xpickup]

duwem, that looks like a very nice x member.


Shannon

[nebdrummer]

Lookin good! Any progress?

Is there any way you could weigh the rolling chassis, engine/trans, rear end, all suspension components ect? I'm really curious as to how much weight I added doing the 3/4 ton frame with my subframe ect.

[1950foru]

What measurement did u put front axle centerline
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[duwem]

I'm planning on using the dimensions that they call out in the flat out kit for the front and rear axle.

[duwem]

My truck came out of storage this weekend, took it for a spin around the block yesterday. Now that I'm driving it again, should give me some motivation to get rolling on the frame and suspension work.

[AutoX_a_Truck?]

Cool build. I am really digging the Corvette suspension under an AD

Keep it up

[texlurch]

duwem, saw your other post about the sway bars. I found some notes where the stock front vette bar was run thru the front crossmember and end links fabbed.

The rear I've seen mounted under the frame, but it was at the back where it would interfere with a bed mount tank.

[duwem]

Cool thanks, I think its retarded that the guys selling the kits dont offer an option for sway bars. I mean come on, its independent suspension, where each side is INDEPENDENT of the other, how is a sway bar not a good idea for handling....

[Chevette]

Great build you have going there. I really like that front assembly. Combined with that center bracing, that will be one tight chassis. Very nice.

[texlurch]

I also emailed Flatout about whether the Shockwave air spring/shock will fit the mounts..

[murd969]

Great build. I'm doing a C4 front and rear setup as well. I'm interested to see how yours turns out.

[smittster]

I put the flat out kit under my 1950 GMC using 1985 corvette parts both front and rear. I did not put any sway bars in and was just recently thinking about it.
Did flat out not have any guidance for this?

[4544speed]

Good looking project. Any updates? I got my front and rear kit installed. My height is a lot different than you quoted. I have 5 inches from the ground in the front and I honestly wanted more height. I did not see any way to make major height adjustments without surgery on the frame. Also, what wheel base you are looking to end with?