'39 Chevy truck project
- Thread starter Davidsfabwork
- Start date
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roddguy1
Well-known member
This is some killer fab work for sure. You really have some very interesting ideas going here. I have a couple questions about your steering set up. It looks to me like you have flipped a front steer rack to work as a rear steer. Are you planing a right hand drive? Sorry if I missed the answer to this already. Also, I'm wondering what you are planing to use as a slip joint between the rack and the rest of the steering shaft. I'm planing to do something similar and haven't solved that issue yet. Again, very nice work.[cl
Davidsfabwork
Active member
I am doing right hand drive. As for the slip, I'll find a small diameter spline. Tractor supply stores tend to be a good resource. If i can't find one there I'll have one machined. I'm also going to "step down" the steering at the firewall so my steering shaft can be parallel with the ground, and go under the motor mount. On the outside of the firewall you'll end up seeing two chain driven gears, the top one connected to the steering column on the inside and the bottom one going to the rack. Thanks for the compliments btw, this thing has been eating some time up. Three months ago it was tubing on the rack.
robertbandit
Well-known member
front axle ?
what is the front axle out of ? can you tell me the year? i have a couple of those axles i am trying to find out about them. you do very nice work. thanks robertbandit
what is the front axle out of ? can you tell me the year? i have a couple of those axles i am trying to find out about them. you do very nice work. thanks robertbandit
Davidsfabwork
Active member
front axle
It's out of a '49 Dodge truck. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but as with any rat, i was trying to keep the cost down. I really would like to convert it to disc brakes, but I'm having a difficult time finding a conversion kit. If anyone can steer me in the right direction, it would be immensely appreciated!!
It's out of a '49 Dodge truck. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but as with any rat, i was trying to keep the cost down. I really would like to convert it to disc brakes, but I'm having a difficult time finding a conversion kit. If anyone can steer me in the right direction, it would be immensely appreciated!!
Davidsfabwork
Active member
front cantilever
It's been a few days since i posted, and needed a 5 minute break, so i figured I'd post a "in progress" pic. I came up with what i feel (after a ton of research) is a completely original front cantilever suspension. It's in a very early stage, but with come together somewhat quick i think.
It's been a few days since i posted, and needed a 5 minute break, so i figured I'd post a "in progress" pic. I came up with what i feel (after a ton of research) is a completely original front cantilever suspension. It's in a very early stage, but with come together somewhat quick i think.
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Davidsfabwork
Active member
Davidsfabwork
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Davidsfabwork
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front cantilever
I still have to make a crossmember for the bags and mount the bags to the push arm, but using the forklift i could run it through its motion. It seems to work perfectly, although it gets a couple less inches of lift than i anticipated. No big deal though, it still lifts over 12".
I still have to make a crossmember for the bags and mount the bags to the push arm, but using the forklift i could run it through its motion. It seems to work perfectly, although it gets a couple less inches of lift than i anticipated. No big deal though, it still lifts over 12".
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Davidsfabwork
Active member
front cantilever
I finally got to the point where i need to mount the front bags. I'm starting by making all of the bag plates. After they're cleaned up a little bit i think they'll be clean, functional brackets. Also I'm adding a picture of what the front suspension looks like up.
I finally got to the point where i need to mount the front bags. I'm starting by making all of the bag plates. After they're cleaned up a little bit i think they'll be clean, functional brackets. Also I'm adding a picture of what the front suspension looks like up.
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mickeyscustom
Well-known member
Now that front is interesting...can't wait to see it finished and in working order. I am thinking of doing a cantilever system when I start my build here in the next month(hopefully..lol)...Was wondering where you started at for your research for cantilever systems?
Davidsfabwork
Active member
front cantilever
I've been a Minitrucker for a long time, and the evolution of minitruck suspensions moves quickly. I've been designing frames/suspensions for about 14 years, from static to over-the-top. With that being said, i would buy Minitruckn, Truckn, and Street Trucks magazines and get some ideas. Thanks for the compliments btw, it's crazy that I'm only just over three months inthe to this build. Stay tuned, I have some slick ideas coming soon!!
I've been a Minitrucker for a long time, and the evolution of minitruck suspensions moves quickly. I've been designing frames/suspensions for about 14 years, from static to over-the-top. With that being said, i would buy Minitruckn, Truckn, and Street Trucks magazines and get some ideas. Thanks for the compliments btw, it's crazy that I'm only just over three months inthe to this build. Stay tuned, I have some slick ideas coming soon!!
Davidsfabwork
Active member
front cantilever
So i got my front crossmember welded together today. I still have to work out how im going to mount it though. Now that i have all of this flat plate throughout the front, the rear is feeling kind of boring to me. So i guess I'm gonna make my trailing arms in the same fashion. I think i may have a little too much time on my hands.lol
So i got my front crossmember welded together today. I still have to work out how im going to mount it though. Now that i have all of this flat plate throughout the front, the rear is feeling kind of boring to me. So i guess I'm gonna make my trailing arms in the same fashion. I think i may have a little too much time on my hands.lol
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Davidsfabwork
Active member
it lifts!
The front works, although my temporary cross member is back a little too far to get full lift. I also have to work out keeping the front bags straight, instead of pie shaping like they are now. This won't be a problem at all though. Just gotta keep my motivation up. 4 months of non stop building, plus running my business is taking its toll. Maybe I need a pep talk! Lol
The front works, although my temporary cross member is back a little too far to get full lift. I also have to work out keeping the front bags straight, instead of pie shaping like they are now. This won't be a problem at all though. Just gotta keep my motivation up. 4 months of non stop building, plus running my business is taking its toll. Maybe I need a pep talk! Lol
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GJunktionMike
Something's wrong with that boy!
That is some crazy fab work.
SugarRay8
Well-known member
You’re doing some really cool stuff.
On the air bags, it’s hard to know from the picture, but make sure that your max arc angle isn’t exceeding 30 degrees. That’s the most you can safely use an air bag in. So you may not need to modify as much as you think.
Obviously the straighter the better, just thought I’d throw the max angle out there for you.
On the air bags, it’s hard to know from the picture, but make sure that your max arc angle isn’t exceeding 30 degrees. That’s the most you can safely use an air bag in. So you may not need to modify as much as you think.
Obviously the straighter the better, just thought I’d throw the max angle out there for you.
Davidsfabwork
Active member
bag info
Thanks for the info on the bags. I never knew the degree tolerances of airbags. The cross member that the bag bolts to was temporary. I was seeing how close to horizontal i could get the bags, and it turned out that i can keep them perfectly horizontal thankfully. It really gives it a cleaner look. I'll have pics soon, got really busy at work last week and couldn't get as much done as i had anticipated last week
Thanks for the info on the bags. I never knew the degree tolerances of airbags. The cross member that the bag bolts to was temporary. I was seeing how close to horizontal i could get the bags, and it turned out that i can keep them perfectly horizontal thankfully. It really gives it a cleaner look. I'll have pics soon, got really busy at work last week and couldn't get as much done as i had anticipated last week
sgtpontiac
Older, Wiser and Still Buildin'
Holy Crap!!!!
You've got some serious "outside the box" stuff....NICE!!! [P
You've got some serious "outside the box" stuff....NICE!!! [P
