underslung chevrolet (new project)

I have always loved the look of an underslung frame- heck, even Tex Smith has at least one example in his book...

Maybe the nay-sayers should go argue it with him

 

Remember that if you need more ground clearance, you can reverse the eyes in the springs.

Neal

 

I don't know about the underslung part. I saw a local guy doing the same thing and it seemed OK and would not hit if he blew a front tire. You might want to get the frame up above the rim or you'll hit.

My only negative comment is that I would have started with a less nice car. If your going to be cutting out part of the firewall, floor maybe chopping the top what the point of starting with a nice restored car? Seems like there's a fair amount of these out there that are solid but not fixed up yet.

Anyway keep posting as you build it. I'd like to see what it becomes then I'd be better able to say if should have been left alone.

 

looks good...hope its safe...you cant go off what dick says.....he is crazy!!!
whats the plan for the body? chop , channel, etc.....

 

I think crazy is a 50 50 deal.50% self indulgence and personal abuse,and 50% genetic makeup. You haven't met Ernie,Ernie Ernie the Paint Huffin Clown.He has big nuts and a nipple collection.

 

With the tie rod in front you will have to bend the steering arms or the akerman angle will be way off and wear out your tires. Check out this thread, it's been covered here before. Good luck.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69765&highlight=akerman+angle

 

What's the plan for the body? Seems like a pretty nice car to cut up. I've never seen a "traditional", underslung, fenderless 4 door sedan - don't think anyone would have built one back in the day. I mean, it's your car, you can do whatever you want with it. It appears to be a great candidate for a mild mid-60's style build - full fender, dropped axle (maybe even run a Ford transverse spring front setup as there is so much more available for them), all original steel, vette 283/4 spd, chrome reversed wheels and narrow whites or redlines, tuck and roll, that sort of thing. I'm not opposed to an underslung - I actually think they are extremely cool , the car just seems too nice to me to be cut all up and not exactly the ideal bodystyle for the intended build direction.

Steve

 

It is a Chevy. There is not much of a gray area with these. They are a sound, nice looking car or a pile of sheet metal because of the wood body.

Based on economic's, taking the best body to start with will help in the end. The parts that are not used, such as fenders, running boards, etc. can be sold off.

I have a mixed feeling about taking a good restored car and hot rodding it. I guess if in the end it is a car that I like, it is o.k.. If it is something that Boyd would have pooped out, it is a crime.

Neal

 

Ford transverse spring axels look best on a Ford.That body is in great shape and will make a good starting point for whatever your plans are. What you don't use should recoup some money to further your build.I don't understand "it's too nice to cut up".Seems you save time and money where rust repair costs the same.

 

Turn the axle around and get the tie rod in the correct position it will save you a ton of head aches. Besides the reason the caster is in wrong direction is that the axle is backward. At the very least disassemble the steering arms from the axle turn it around in the right direction and then reassemble the steering arms. But remember if you are going to use front steer you need to correct the ackerman angle. I have a 31 two door sedan Chevy (not in near as good shape) and this is one of the suspension setups that I have thought about doing. If I have any ideas for you along the way I will post them for you to look at. Good luck and don't forget to turn your axle around.

 

You could pie cut the frame a couple different ways to change the Caster angle.

 

I've seen a transverse setup under a Chevy that looked great and worked very well - the axle doesn't know it's under a Chevy and the Ford stuff, in my opinion, looks cleaner. Besides, I'm referring to a full fender build, not the underslung setup. I guess my point about "too nice" kind of refers to the fact that an underslung, fenderless ride would probably be built as a two place or open ride - coupe, roadster, rpu/modified, maybe a phaeton/touring car. Like I said earlier, if he's going for a ride that looks "traditional", like it was built 50 years ago, an underslung 4 door Chevy isn't going to hit the mark - they just weren't building that style of car back then - some underslung coupes and roadsters, yes. If you're going to hack up the 4 door into that type of configuration anyhow, some rust repair and wood replacement would be minor compared to the fabrication required - starting with either a more desirable bodystyle for this type of build or a rougher (read cheaper too) non-desirable bodystyle that he can hack up to fit his needs seems, to me anyhow, to make more sense.

Now, if he throws out the desire for the car to be representative of a true traditional ride and just focuses on it being a cool, unique underslung 4 door I think it would be a great project - I guarantee he'd have one of the only around and I bet it would inspire some other builds.

Like I also said, it's his car, he can do whatever he wants but I wouldn't expect anyone to see it as a "traditional" 50's build as per his noted desire.

Steve

 

Just eat your words and get over it quick your self. your wasting my time and your wasting bandwidth. I think you got kicked in the head by a kangaroo and few too many times. Im trying to be polite on here, but for you i can say go f@@k your self? hows that for appreciation?

 

cool understand the article im just going to have to play with the geometry and see what happens, if it seems way off and rear steer it is. nothing is etched in stone at the moment.

 

hemisteve,

While I disagree with underslungs being untraditional, I DO agree with your point on the body!

skottyknuckles- if you're going to do major bodywork (4 door to 2 door, heavy chop, channel, etc) I would recommend you sell your body. With a body as nice as that, you can use the extra cash to not only find a different body, but parts for your build as well.

 

to every one that wants to see a ford axle and spring under my car its just not gona happen. to me its like watching a cat and dog fuck. If i wanted to do that i would have just bought a ford. i like all of the old cars but some times i like to be different.
the plans for the body are nothing at all. no chop no shaving, all stock just channeled.

 

Let's see if I understand this.
You are going to do what YOU want,instead of following the herd ?







Sounds like a plan to me.

 

Like I said about the Ford front suspension, I wasn't referring to your underslung build. Also, I think the stock body channeled over the frame and underslung would make for a real kick ass ride - I can think of only a handful of fenderless 4 doors and they were seriously cool (and none of them were underslungs - an extra cool factor that should really make yours amazing). Any other details? Wheels, powertrain, trim, color?

Never said underslungs were not traditional only that, specifically, an underslung 4 door sedan is not traditional - but if you're not going for traditional who cares? My point is, his build can't be both - it can be a cool ride in it's own right but will not be "traditional".

A car is not "traditional" just because it's got no parts newer than 1958 - the "tradition" is how those old parts were put to use.

Steve

 

Wow that needed to be said.
Sometimes when I read the replys on this board I cant beleive what I am reading. Hot Rods were built by inovative people not by people who follow the herd.

Gary

 

haha, i ve got some nerve dont i?

 

I've been watching this thread since you posted it last night.
You sound like a smart guy to me, taking your time to figure out what is right for your car and trying to do it right the first time.
Congrats to you!

Norton

 

i could have junked that stuff, wasnt going to work for my car, it did cross my mind but id rather see it go to use. no matter how you build it if its on the road its better than sitting in a field rusting away somewhere.

 

when I have a car for sale, I'll be putting it for sale on here for sure! Scott's car is clean, but you're looking at it on the internet. It's an awesome car to start with, but it's not a time capsule survivor by any means. I think everyone's just shocked to see a car with some color on it

and clean or not..whats the point of leaving it alone - I know for a fact Scott isn't looking to be in parades, or do weddings. And if it was that ultra rare and valuble for whatever reason, I've seen piles of rust ressurected and reconstructed to flawless condition... whatever Scott does to it should be an easy "restoration"

 

We need more Chevy guys

looks like a great project

Here's mine



Im going with disk brakes in the front, S-10 rear, SBC, Auto Trans,

Gary

 

Can't we all just get along!

Rodney.

 

I like the direction.Its nice to see something different.

 

once again thanks for all the postive support. all the jersey guys ill be cruisen with you soon.

I didnt post my project thread here to stir up shit, its here to show the progress of a unique project. I have alot of cool things instore. so stay tuned!

 

you should rename yourself "Fuck knuckles" because I can see from your engineering expertise you have spent far too much time fucking your own knuckles...

My opinion is that the whole rat rod bull shit theme is GAY ,so while you are down at the leather bar with your bum buddies you can tell the Merc mad man thinks your projects sucks like your boy friend.
The World don't not need another fool making a dangerous fuck up like that to ruin the rep of most other rod builders.

Polite? gp back to hotrodders.com Fucking newby Geek!

 

What are your plans for the interior wood?
There are a few threads on he about using 3/4" or 1" square tube to replace the wood.
I think thats the direction I will go in

Gary

 

Skotty,
Good luck with your Chev.You have a plan and this is the best place in the world to look for ideas and uhh...opinions.
Damn if it isn't easier to be a critic than a victim?
Hang tight,there's some really talented and cool people on here!