Frame Table
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bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
With that frame table, I expect to see professional quality work.
With that frame table, I expect to see professional quality work.
Yes Sir Bob W.... You know I will be posting pictures!
I did a front end mock up today and could use some input. My Speedway catalog came today and I talked with Clarke. Nice guy. Patient....have to be with me.
I had a choice of a 4" drop beam or a 6" drop beam....wasn't sure so I did a mock up. Looks like the 4" will work but like I said I can use some input from those smarter than I.
I used pvc to make a 4" drop mock beam. Then mocked a cross member & some hangers. The 2x4 represent 28" tires.....spindle at 14"
What I don't know but will once the goods come (hope to place order tomorrow after I hear back from couple of you guys) is 1) the height of the spring and 2 how much it will settle withe the 700# motor on it.
So the cross member is 4" above the frame rail in the first picture....this gives me about 6.5" between the axle and the mocked spring hangers. Don't think that's enough.
I can move that cross member up 4" and cut back as much as 2" on the perches or hangers and get another 6" for a total of 12" (picture)
So I can go anywhere between 6.5 and 12" but of course make the cross member higher I suppose. Don't know how high is too high. Is there a rule of thumb on this? I suspect no rules or like my dad used to say "rules are made to be broken" lol
What do you guys think of all this?
Thanks again
I had a choice of a 4" drop beam or a 6" drop beam....wasn't sure so I did a mock up. Looks like the 4" will work but like I said I can use some input from those smarter than I.
I used pvc to make a 4" drop mock beam. Then mocked a cross member & some hangers. The 2x4 represent 28" tires.....spindle at 14"
What I don't know but will once the goods come (hope to place order tomorrow after I hear back from couple of you guys) is 1) the height of the spring and 2 how much it will settle withe the 700# motor on it.
So the cross member is 4" above the frame rail in the first picture....this gives me about 6.5" between the axle and the mocked spring hangers. Don't think that's enough.
I can move that cross member up 4" and cut back as much as 2" on the perches or hangers and get another 6" for a total of 12" (picture)
So I can go anywhere between 6.5 and 12" but of course make the cross member higher I suppose. Don't know how high is too high. Is there a rule of thumb on this? I suspect no rules or like my dad used to say "rules are made to be broken" lol
What do you guys think of all this?
Thanks again
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Skip
Well-known member
Spring height should be in the Speedway catalog.
I believe the spring rate (how much weight it is designed to handle) should also be in the catalog. It is one of the parameters you should consider when ordering. Travel will be only a couple inches with the right spring.
To the pros out there: If I got this wrong, someone please speak up, before I make a mess of my front suspension.
I believe the spring rate (how much weight it is designed to handle) should also be in the catalog. It is one of the parameters you should consider when ordering. Travel will be only a couple inches with the right spring.
To the pros out there: If I got this wrong, someone please speak up, before I make a mess of my front suspension.
Old Iron
Well-known member
Unless you're gonna have the same size tires all the way around, 28" is really tall for the front. More like 26".
As soon as it gets daylight outside, I'll get you some measurements on m front end and some Hemi dimensions too.
As soon as it gets daylight outside, I'll get you some measurements on m front end and some Hemi dimensions too.
Hey Old Iron....Appreciate that. 26" tires will give me another inch so that would be good. Thanks for getting me those dims.....appreciate it!
I couldn't find it....and the sales tech couldn't provide it. I may have to experment with springs....
Old Iron
Well-known member
392 Hemi, on the firewall to radiator is 33" that gives you plenty of room to run a mechanical fan if you want like mine and still have 2 1/2" from firewall to the passenger side head, which is the closest head to the firewall.
My spring perch is 12" off the ground with 24 inch tall tires.
My frame 2x3 3/16 wall and the front frame Z is stacked directly on top of itself. The bottom of frame under the cab to the road is 5 1/2".
Your front cross bar looks to be way too high, mine goes straight across from one frame rail to the other and the spring perch is sitting on the top of that cross bar.
For references, look at the 37 GMC link on my post.
My spring perch is 12" off the ground with 24 inch tall tires.
My frame 2x3 3/16 wall and the front frame Z is stacked directly on top of itself. The bottom of frame under the cab to the road is 5 1/2".
Your front cross bar looks to be way too high, mine goes straight across from one frame rail to the other and the spring perch is sitting on the top of that cross bar.
For references, look at the 37 GMC link on my post.
05snopro440
Well-known member
I've never seen spring rates listed for a buggy spring. Is this in the Speedway catalog for sure?
Old Iron
Well-known member
I'm with snopro
Usually they are listed as small block or big block. The only difference is one or two more spring in the stack.
I'm using a small block with this 1,000 pound Hemi and it's fine. The engines set back further than traditional hot rods which transfers the weight towards the rear of the vehicle.
Usually they are listed as small block or big block. The only difference is one or two more spring in the stack.
I'm using a small block with this 1,000 pound Hemi and it's fine. The engines set back further than traditional hot rods which transfers the weight towards the rear of the vehicle.
Skip
Well-known member
I stand corrected. And thank you for it. [cl I should have verified my assumption. I learned something today, also.
Skip
Well-known member
More experienced builders have spoken. Sorry for the wild goose chase.
Thank you for the dims my friend! I am fried from work right now and the brain ram is at an all time low. I will decipher this tonight and be back at you.
Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Couper
Hey Old Iron...
I just looked thru all of your build pics....nice work! Seeing the pics and the dimensions you gave me helped me to understand it all. See if I'm on the right track.
I just typed a long reply to all of this and some how it didn't post so here we go again....arrrggg
Ok I believe the difference and reason why my front end cross member is so high versus yours is this:
Your bottom rail is 5 1/2" from the ground and you have 3" tall tubing stacked = 5.5+3+3=11.5 to top of engine rail
My bottom rail is 8" from the ground and I have 4" tall tubing stacked = 8+4+4= 16" to top of engine rail
Difference is 4.5" thus my cross member aprox 4" above yours.
I was going to place my cab rails are at the same plane that the stocks were at which I think were aprox 1" below the door sills. My ride height measured from the bottom of the rocker is 6". I wonder if I should drop the cab rail down to the edge of the rocker? That would give me 2 more inches of drop to the motor and a 2 or 3" deeper foot well / floor. One of my concerns is where the drive shaft will come thru the cab and how high the tunnel will have to be.
Would you be able to tell me where the centerline / center of the flywheel is at, and if the trans output shaft is a straight line from the center of the flywheel to the trans output shaft? I'm trying to understand where that drive shaft is going to come thru.
I really need to get my hands on the motor and trans.....too much guessing.
I did order my front end stuff from speedway....should be here in a few days. Then I'll be able to see that in front of me.
Also I think your axle has a bigger drop than mine.....mines 4". Unless it's just the pictures your looks at least 6" or more???
Thanks for putting up with me and thanks for the dimensions and help.
Couper
More experienced builders have spoken. Sorry for the wild goose chase.
No goose chase.....it's all good. They couldn't provide that to me yesterday.
Old Iron
Well-known member
I'll get you some more info in a bit.
My axle is a 4" drop. Pics are deceiving.
My axle is a 4" drop. Pics are deceiving.
cool beans....thanks!
