TECH - From a $25 32 Frame to a Rolling Chassis...

Neal you do some incredible stuff with metal. You never cease to amaze me. RPU is looking great. Thanks for the tech.

 

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All I can say is I like old fashioned hot rodding. This is an example that I hope all the young guys read.

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FAB: that's exactly why I come here (Am I still young at 30??)....and why I'll continue to send the right people here too.

Neal: inspirational!

 

Neal, like I've said before - you sure got one hell of a *****in truck - that ch***is is a credit to your hard work, and tenacious spirit.

Cheers

Mark

 

Good post!! You make it look so easy...

 

I wish every post had this kind of content. Killer work and a killer ride. You make it look easy..and I could have really used those concrete anchors a while back too.

 

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. I was hoping to show that it is a lot of work to save junk, but it isn't rocket science. If you have the patience and time, it can be done, but you should know what to expect up-front, so you don't get burnt out and not make it through. This probably isn't the way a professional shop woould go about it, but it is methods that the garage builder could use.

Abone312 asked about the floor anchors. I didn't want to build a frame table for this one project, but I needed something rigid, but yet compact and removable. This is what I came up with...

"Disclaimer: These pieces were not designed by a certified engineer, they were designed by a farmer's kid (with a B.S. in engineering)..."

That being said, they are made from 1/2" plate and are 4" x 12". The loop was made from 3/8" x 1-1/2" flat bar 6" long. These were heated and bent in the middle at a right angle, then welded on. The bolt holes are 11/16" on 8" centers. To make sure all of the holes were spaced the same, I tacked all 6 plates together in a stack and drilled them at once. That is basically an 11/16" hole through 3" plate, so take your time.



The hold downs are spaced 4 feet apart, or basically two 4' x 4' squares. The bolts used were 5/8" x 2". The anchors that were used in the concrete are the 5/8" Simpson Drop-In style.



hotrodA - There are more pictures here... A Photoshop coming to life... (32 progress pics)

And haring had asked for more suspension/wishbone mounting pics, so he kind of prompted this whole post.

I'd like to hear if you have any more questions, comments, or criticisms

Neal

 

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This probably isn't the way a professional shop would go about it.

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Hell, I know many so-called "Pro" builders who could not hold a candle to that sort of thought and enginuity. Many of whom would'nt even give a **** if a frame was off by 3/4" (if they even bothered to check it).

Making something beautiful out of twisted junk - man, that is just too cool. You could never buy a frame as cool as that.

You not only turned it into a viable frame, but you made it purty!

I've seen lots of odds n ends photos of your projects over the last couple years (like the GMC grill surround turned 32)...it's really cool to see a whole series of photos together to see how you work. Outstanding!

Looking forward to seeing it on the road.

 

BTTT for Abone312 and anyone else...

Hope that answered your question.

Neal

 

All the tech to the top...

 

That crossmember with the lightening holes rocks.

 

Neal,

Excellent job on recovering the frame and on the photos/descriptions of your process. You have lots of sweat equity in that one.

 

I LOVE this post. Beautiful work!! Couldn't believe it's already dropped way down into the pages, under umpteen newbie whinings etc.
Thanks NealinCA. You're an artist and an inspiration! - Keith

 

Excellent -- and courageous -- work, Neal. I look forward to seeing more of your pickup as it progresses.

 

Great post Neil and your work is a credit to our hobby BIG TIME! Regards, Dave.

 

Damn Neal, that truly is awesome...Man it makes the saying, patience is a virtue so true. Man you gotta be proud of that. I see stuff go together at Brizio's shop often, but that frame is what it's all about. I hope my rpu will be half as cool as that one. I have plans, I will try to follow
in that direction and take my time to make it awesome.
thanks for the post
(tech post winner)
Farmer

 

great tech stuff Neal & i wish i had half you knowledge... hell at 48 i'm still learn'n tricks from everyone....joe

 

you are what the Hamb is all about... thanks so much for taking the time to post this...

could read it alllllllllll day if i had time...

 

Thanks for the follow-up on the pictures. It's *****in'.

This is what I come to the HAMB for. Hard core hotrodding.
not the pimple pickin', whinny *** *****ing and seeing who can piss higher on the wall.

Thanks for the great post. You deserve the win.

 

I think we have a winner here!
This kinda post that shows the creativity and thought process so simply......makes you think . Absolutely outstanding.

 

Great post.
Due to your earlier post concerning photoshop come to real *****in rpu I´m bound to get me a steel pu bed instead of that "save some money" flatbed plywood one. You just wouldn`t have one lying there for that $25-50 range Nice work !

 

A very nice Ch***is, Neal.
And great Tech!!

 

Wow....thats really a large amount of work and time into something that came out great. Nice to see and keep up the good work!!

Joe

 

Great work Neal,
Nice presentation too.
I can see why you got the TECH WEEK prize.
Mart.

 

Excellant work and creativity!
You are truly gifted.

 

Thanks for sharing it. Hopefully I'll be able to use some of it some day.

 

Neal, I saw your post last week but didn't have time to respond. You NEED to give yourself more credit, you are a true craftsman. Your work is amazing. These HAMB guys should be falling at your feet. Keep up the great work. dug

 

Neil, your work speaks volumes, your post was well written and easy to follow. Then you top it off with great pic's! Superjob.

 

Can we get this moved over to the Tech-O-Matic?

 

Someone on another section of the board dredged up this amazingly useful post from the past. I've brought it BTTT for those interested in the recent frame straightening and frame building posts. This post struck me as FAR higher quality than most magazine tech articles I have seen, and even well up the ladder by HAMB standards!

 

Very nice work. Yall did a great job and cant wait to see your finished product. This is the way it is supposed to be done. Use what you got or make something new. I am just so pumped now. You create a new light at the end of alot of poeples tunnels. Great job. and keep us posted on your progress.