Nerd Rods, 55-59 Truck Frame Project 1956, C4 suspension, 5.3L Auto, Kit Frame Design

[rat_rod_russell]

Sorry, I forgot to start this thread over here so you'll all get some catch up post.

George here in Texas contacted up about upgrading his 56 Chevy pickup like we do the passenger cars. So we talked it over and he decided he wanted us to do the work.

We're going to be building a new frame with C4 Corvette suspension, 5.3L LS motor, 4L60E automatic, Dana 44 3.42 gears, and the full swap for him. For you guys that means we're going to be developing a DIY frame for the 1955-1959 Chevy trucks just like our TriFive DIY frame. We'll be posting up updates here as we go and feel free to ask any questions.

George and his friends dropping off his truck the other day.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-03.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-06.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/01/M-07.jpg)



Looking at these photos again is sad, just wait until you see what was under the paint. Lets just say, we're using the hood....... And that's it.........

Later
-Russell

[fleetus macmullitz]

Hi Russell,

Looking forward to seeing you transform that heap. :D

[Rick D]

Cool Russel, can wait to see what ou guys to do this one!

[214Chevy]

Cool Russell!! I'll be watching this one. :thumbsup: :gitrdun:

[ChuckDriver]

Gonna be one cool build for sure!

[waynieZ]

I'm going to enjoy this !

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks all around. Here's the body, these pictures barley describe the horror that was this truck. The thing that really scared me is that someone was driving this thing on the streets.


WOW, The sad thing is now that we have it apart the bed is the nicest part of the truck. We can't use any of this. Its going to cost more to fix than it would to just find a better cab.

Take a look

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-01.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-01.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-02.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-02.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-03.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-03.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-04.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-04.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-05.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-05.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-06.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-06.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-07.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-07.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-08.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-08.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-09.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-09.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-10.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-10.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-11.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-11.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-12.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-12.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-13.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-13.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-14.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-14.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-15.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-15.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-16.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-16.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-17.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-17.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-18.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-18.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-19.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-19.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-20.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-20.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-21.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-21.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-22.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-22.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-23.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-23.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-24.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-24.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-25.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-25.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-26.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-26.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-27.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-27.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-28.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-28.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-29.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-29.jpg)

Part 2

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-30.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-30.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-31.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-31.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-32.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-32.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-33.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-33.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-34.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-34.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-35.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-35.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-36.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-36.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-37.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-37.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-38.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-38.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-39.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-39.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/S-40.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer[QUOTE]/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/02/L-40.jpg)

Several of the body braces fell out from under the car when we took the body off the frame, the front passengers side fender was braised on to the cab because all the body bracing were rusted through. And thats just a few of the the bad points. I could write a paper on everything wrong with this truck but I'll let the photos speak for them selves.

We've located a new truck, I'll post some photos up of it soon. Can you say barn find?

Sad thing, we're not even using the bed once we cut into it.

-Russell

[Thomo5150]

Wow big project Russell, what sort of ride height will your frame give under one of these? Looking forward to this build. I learn a lot from your builds and the way your prepared to change and make parts better in your builds, I like this honesty.....:thumbsup:

[rat_rod_russell]

Wow big project Russell, what sort of ride height will your frame give under one of these? Looking forward to this build. I learn a lot from your builds and the way your prepared to change and make parts better in your builds, I like this honesty.....:thumbsup:


So I've decided to offer 2 ride heights for this, the C4 version. The problem with our C5/6 frame was final price and body modifications. Because of the required body modifications and the really high price because of all the special parts no one could afford it so we halted development of that frame for the time begin. People would call wanting one but after 3-4 hours of walking them through the project the call would end with "thanks for your time but I can't afford that" and I would be out hours of time explaining it.


Here's a video of the Self Jigging frame we offer for the 55-57 Chevy Cars, TriFive's
This is me welding the frame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbA4Uoq4vfA

This is the instructional animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZL9UZtz2G4


No back to the truck it self

BEHOLD, the new truck. Found on Craigs List with 2-3 hours of searching for 2-3 days. BARN FIND!! See how little rust is on the cab.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-03.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-04.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-06.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-08.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-09.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-10.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-10.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-11.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-11.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-12.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-12.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-14.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-14.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-15.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-15.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-16.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-16.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-17.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-17.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-19.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-19.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-20.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-20.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-21.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-21.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-22.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-22.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-23.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-23.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-24.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-24.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-25.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-25.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-26.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-26.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-18.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-18.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/S-13.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/03/L-13.jpg)

-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

We got the scanning done. We've been slamming out TriFive Frames and working out nicer instructions for it in the processes and that's taken up a ton of time but it will all cross over to the truck project.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-03.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-06.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-08.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/04/L-09.jpg)


I'm getting the data sorted into the computer then I can start with the frame design.

More Soon!
-Russell

[fleetus macmullitz]

Russell,

What a clean looking truck you've got to work with now.

Diggin all the pics and info. :thumbsup:

[rat_rod_russell]

Got the data mostly sorted and I've been deciphering the factory assembly manual for what each model is, like a model 3104 is your basic short wheel base 2WD truck but change that 0 for a 5 making it 3154 and now its the 4WD model. 3105 is the panel truck but a 3106 or 3116 is a Suburban with different rear doors. You basically have to memorize all of these because a random body mount or hole will be on the blue print but have a number next to it.

So to make it simple. Our frame will only be for the Short Wheel Base cars or the 3100 series. You will have a nice place to cut the frame and make it longer for guys wanting to do custom wheel base cars (I'm going to make a shop truck with a 16" flat bed on this frame) and we might make a kit for it later on or your just going to have to put on your big boy hot rodder pants and just cut it yourself.


Now onto this car. I send these a few days ago to a few people when I just

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-03.jpg)


So I wanted to check the motor clearance as well so I dropped the LQ4 in as well to see how it looked. The goal is to make sure you won't need mod the firewall and it looks like we're going to have plenty of room.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-08.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-09.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-10.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-10.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-11.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-11.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-12.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-12.jpg)


So I'll go over some of the ascetic choices. First I'm moving the wheel base out from 114 to 115. I'm moving the front wheels forward to fill the well better but I'm moving them forward by 1.00". The back wheels always look fine but the front always looks to far back and this makes it look correct with the lower body.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/00006_George_Waddell_CPC455/05/L-06.jpg)

Feel free to ask questions and I'll start answering so I can send people here instead of writing the same email over and over again.

Later
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work Russell! Just a quick question, will the battery be on the firewall or will you be putting it some where else?

Thanks!

[Rick D]

Russell what other frames do you plan on building?? 2nd gen??? :relax: just a thought.

[ScottieB]

Can't wait to see this build unfold. We will have to talk when my Nomad is finished as I want something for my 61 bubble top.

[rat_rod_russell]

Nice work Russell! Just a quick question, will the battery be on the firewall or will you be putting it some where else?

Thanks!

There will be room on the frame in the bed as well as room under the passengers seat but people who want to run their battery in the stock location will be able to as well. We might make a kit to mount it down there but we'll probably just leave that to you guys.


Russell what other frames do you plan on building?? 2nd gen??? :relax: just a thought.

Right now we do the 55-57 Passenger cars and we're devolving the 55-59 Trucks here an now. My plans are more trucks, A-bodies and C2/3 Corvettes. I'm not really planning anything for the F-bodies because I feel that the market is hugely over saturated but if enough people beat on my door I might change my mind. I'm always listening and making tally's on my list here at the shop. I've even got a few requests for 57 Cadillac frames on the list. But C10's have the top spot closely followed by the A-bodies. I feel the Corvette will be a good place as well. 63-83, 19 years in one frame, that's a hard market to overlook.

Can't wait to see this build unfold. We will have to talk when my Nomad is finished as I want something for my 61 bubble top.

NICE! They are longer at 119 but you might be able to mod one of the TriFive frames to fit with some work. Y'all should check out Scott's 55 Nomad project, http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=41965

Thanks again
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

So I just got a little more data into the computer about the bed and then I remembered. For a no body modifications frame the floor board of the cab and the motor aren't the biggest problem...... Its the bed and the rear suspension. Turns out at 6" off the ground the bed hits the differential pretty badly. So we're going with 8" off the ground as your "I want corvette suspension but I don't want to cut my body period!" option seen here. This will give you miles under the hood and a completely stock bed as well for guys who just want to buy everything OEM stock ish for finish out.
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-13.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-13.jpg)


And 4" off the ground, seen here. The frame will be shaped as such that even this low you won't need to cut the bed steel braces just the wood to clear.
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-14.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-14.jpg)


And just for you guys who didn't know this is 14" off the ground or STOCK!
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-15.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-15.jpg)


And for it to all make more since here's a cool animation. Click to see the 1080 version with more detail, Warning the image is huge by computer standers so it might take a few to download.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/animation_S-01.gif (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/animation_L-01.gif)

I'm going back to work, you kids keep those question coming. Its egging me on!

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Updates!

We're making room for lots of tire out back for guys who NEED it and still make it easy to build and fit the 8" ride height without body modifications.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-16.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-16.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-17.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-17.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-18.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-18.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-19.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-19.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-20.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-20.jpg)


I know a few guys were having trouble with the grid looks so I colored in the sections to make it look correct. Also these are 20" wheels front and rear at the request of the customer to see what they would look like. Again one at 4" and one at 8".

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-21.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-21.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-22.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-22.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-23.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-23.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/S-24.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-24.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Transmission looks like its going to be cake. This is a 4L60E model and its got tons of room. I couldn't find my 4L80 model on the computer.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-25.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-25.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-26.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-26.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-27.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-27.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-28.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-28.jpg)


So the customer asked me to CAD up his wheels to see what they would look like. These are 18" Foose Nitrous II 18" with 245/40/R18 up front and 275/40/R18 out rear.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-29.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-29.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-30.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-30.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-31.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-31.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-32.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-32.jpg)


Also did some pocketing magic and now we've got an even longer shock (we already offered more wheel travel than the major competition.) And I've got miles of room for Ridetech Shockwaves, We area dealer for Ridetech as well so I hope to have that kit worked out soon enough.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-33.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-33.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/s-34.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/05/L-34.jpg)

Last note, We we'll make these frame rails air tight. You will be able to use the frame as an air tank and no have to mount it anywhere.

Thanks again
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update time. I'm having to pocket the suspension cradle into the tubing rail on this frame compared to older designs for other cars. Got room for the Air Ride on the back for guys who want to run that way and I'm making room for all the body mounts right now.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-03.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-04.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-06.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-08.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-09.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-10.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-10.jpg)

[Hotrod1]

I wish your frame kit was around before I started my stock frame alteration. Makes me want to build another one. Great work and looks like it is going to be nice finished product. Seems like the price is going to be good for the weld it your selfs out there.

[aggie91]

Wow, this it going to be a killer truck when complete. I can see how the Nerd fits into Nerd Rods. You guys have some cool toys to use!

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work Russell! Keep the updates coming!!

[rat_rod_russell]

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-11.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-11.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-12.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-12.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-13.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-13.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-14.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-14.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-15.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-15.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-16.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-16.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-17.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-17.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-18.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-18.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/S-19.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/06/L-19.jpg)

Getting close, I've got 280 lbs of frame in the computer now we're just dialing in the fine details, making sure all cuts are normal to the surface, giving the tabs the proper tolerances, and working on clearing some small sections on the body and making decisions on where and if we want to do a little cutting on the bed braces. I also whipped up a set of Foose Nitrous II's in 18's for the customer to get a feel for the look on them.

I've got most of the prototype frames spoken for, so it won't be long now!

Later
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Very nice! I really like the changes made to the mounts for the front cradle/clip!!

[rat_rod_russell]

Detail work now. I'm happy with the shape and we've taken care of most every clearance issue I can think of with these tucks and got the number of parts down compared to the TriFive frame so there will be less welding and will make it easier to assemble but still similar in several ways to give the frame some parallel to the other frames to make guys who have welded one feel familiar with the other.

We've got the Corvette stuff dialed in now but we will have life axle support like the TriFive frame as well. I've sold a few of the truck frames besides this project already but they are all welded frames so I won't need to make instructions just yet. I'll do a time lapse of the second frame I weld for you guys to see how I do it.

You can see two key thinks with this frame in the fuel and brake system support, still working on where and how to place the fuel tank and the 4" tall tubing risers to give the optional ride heights for different builders.

But I know what you all really want, pictures, lots and lots of pictures. So here's your fix.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-03.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-06.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-08.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/07/L-09.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[groovyjay]

Looks good, would this work with a 56 suburban? :hello:

[rat_rod_russell]

Looks good, would this work with a 56 suburban? :hello:

The Suburban has some different body mounts. I'm working on a kit that you will have to buy separate but yes, other than that its all the same and you will be able to run on the Suburban, Cary All, or Pannel Truck bodies.

-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

ALMOST!!!!!

I'm looking for another frame to measure bumper mounting holes. I've measured one already but I like to check 2 and average the two or three to find my locations all dialed in. But until then, pictures of the 99% completed frame!!!!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-01.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-01.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-02.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-02.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-03.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-03.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-04.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-04.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-05.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-05.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-06.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-06.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-07.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-07.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/S-08.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-08.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[214Chevy]

Frame is awesome Russell.:thumbsup:

[ChuckDriver]

It does look awesome! Just wanted to say that I had to cut the front of my 58 frame to fit the 57 clip, that and other things Ive read suggest the 58-59 frames are longer in the front.

[rat_rod_russell]

It does look awesome! Just wanted to say that I had to cut the front of my 58 frame to fit the 57 clip, that and other things Ive read suggest the 58-59 frames are longer in the front.

Yes indeed! That and because the front bumper bolting face will have different heights due to the multiple ride heights the bumper parts will be bolt on's.

[rat_rod_russell]

DONE!!!!!! MAW HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/M-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/08/L-09.jpg)

Just got it all sent off to the laser yesterday. I've got some quality control books to make up so the guys cutting the parts won't miss anything but we should have a frame to weld up in 2-5 weeks. They need to poke around and see what time frames look like over there before I can get a solid time frame.

Thanks
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Outstanding! Can't wait to see it as a roller!!

[rat_rod_russell]

Got a call from the laser, I'll head to Dallas next week to pick up the parts!

[214Chevy]

Got a call from the laser, I'll head to Dallas next week to pick up the parts!

Russell, what laser/cnc guy do you use in Dallas? Been looking for someone here to do some custom, design work for me.

[rat_rod_russell]

Russell, what laser/cnc guy do you use in Dallas? Been looking for someone here to do some custom, design work for me.

Their just a job shop and don't do design, sorry.

[rat_rod_russell]

On my way to Dallas right now, I'll try and post photos tonight. They took a little longer because they wanted to roll some parts instead of cutting them from round tubing to help save money.

Later
-Russell

[214Chevy]

On my way to Dallas right now, I'll try and post photos tonight. They took a little longer because they wanted to roll some parts instead of cutting them from round tubing to help save money.

Later
-Russell

Hey Russell, I'm not too far from where you're going. Call me when you get here and you pick up the parts. I'd love to see the frame. I'm at the fire station today, so stop by.

[R.A.D]

cool project. i'm tuned in

[rat_rod_russell]

Sorry about the slow response. I got back and life happened. Had a bunch of powder coating work show up to take up space, got sick for a day, had to change out two ballasts in the shop lights, the shop was a mess from a CJ7 5.3L swap and I've got some new part time guys I'm getting trained. Nuts, just nuts.

But without further ado, the new frame!

Man I love going to this place to get parts! They have all the cool tools and it turns out I'm getting better at my CAD package as well. They didn't charge me nearly as much as they did for the initial programing like they did last time for the TriFive car frame.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-02.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-02.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-03.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-03.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-04.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-04.jpg)

All packed up and ready to go. Just look at the forklift compared to the rest of the place. They just have all the fun toys!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-05.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-05.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-06.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-06.jpg)


It took me a few days to get the shop all swept up so I could count parts but here we are, the complete CP5559C4 frame minus just a few parts that are missing but they are finishing parts so no worries there.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-07.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-07.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-08.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-08.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-09.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-09.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-10.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-10.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-11.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-11.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-12.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-12.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-13.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-13.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-14.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-14.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-15.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-15.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-16.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-16.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-17.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-17.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-18.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-18.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-19.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-19.jpg)

I've got 3 frames here at the shop. The fully welded frame is going to a local guy so I can keep close tabs on it while I get the other one finished up and running so I'll know if I need to make any changes to the final design. The third frame is going to sit for a while until I can make the 3D animation. Otherwise I'm going to just wait to be finished with this build and test drive the truck plenty before I do that video.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-20.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-20.jpg)


Got some cool new stencils for the shop crates and other shipping parts. I just ordered TriFive frames #28-32 so we're shipping nicely on the kit frames!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-21.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-21.jpg)

And we got a new quality control agent. You can see her hard at work.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-22.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-22.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/s-23.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage1_01/L-23.jpg)

I've got 2 TFC4 frames to weld up and get shipped out as rolling chassis with motor, transmission and the works so it will be a few weeks before I get to start on this one but I'll post of plenty of photos when I get started.

Thanks again!
Russell Alexander
Nerd Rods

[R.A.D]

Great stuff russel.your on your way

[aggie91]

Very Cool indeed. I like your ideas and having that shop able to make the parts like that is great.

[214Chevy]

Start assembling and get to welding!! :weld: :weld:

[rat_rod_russell]

Start assembling and get to welding!!

Burn Baby Burn!!!!

Photos!!!!

Just finished up a TriFive frame yesterday and I'm finally getting to start on the CP5559C4 frame #01

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-01.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-01.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-02.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-02.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-03.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-03.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-04.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-04.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-05.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-05.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-06.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-06.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-07.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-07.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-08.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-08.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-09.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-09.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-10.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-10.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-11.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-11.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-12.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-12.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-13.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-13.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-14.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-14.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-15.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-15.jpg)

Back to work! I'll post the other photos as soon as I get them off the camera.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update 2013.Nov.04

Inner rail is together, Rear upper shock mounts on, Corvette bat wing to frame brackets, Tubing boxing plate and gussets. These parts are much easier to weld on while the frame section is still light enough to flip by yourself.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-16.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-16.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-17.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-17.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-18.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-18.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-19.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-19.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-20.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-20.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-21.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-21.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-22.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-22.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-23.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-23.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-24.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-24.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-25.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-25.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-26.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-26.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-27.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-27.jpg)


Later
-Russell

[dug]

Awesome. I think you've got a good thing going with your frames! What other vehicles do you plan on doing this for?

Out of curiosity (someone may have already asked), how many hours do you think you have in the design on the computer?

[rat_rod_russell]

Awesome. I think you've got a good thing going with your frames! What other vehicles do you plan on doing this for?

Out of curiosity (someone may have already asked), how many hours do you think you have in the design on the computer?

Depends on who beats my door down first. Right now the C10 and 52-56 Ford guys are winning but I get some C2/3 Corvette guys and A-Body guys rattling my email as well.

But any other project is going to be a LONG time out. I need to finish up all the help stuff, tech drawing, 3D animations, how to video, and lots of work on the website. Some where in the middle of all that I would like to get back to the road course so I can make some real handling options for guys who want to throw down at the end of the day.

Later
-Russell

[dug]

You sound like a busy man. Keep up the quality work. :gitrdun:

[fleetus macmullitz]

You sound like a busy man. Keep up the quality work. :gitrdun:

Russell,

I really enjoyed watching how you thrashed that '57. :thumbsup:

_YBsT9zJF0Q

[rat_rod_russell]

Russell,

I really enjoyed watching how you thrashed that '57. :thumbsup:



Thrashing?!?! You missed this one!
:D

fqWyz2b475Q

[rat_rod_russell]

Monday's work. I was gone all day Tuesday, more photos soon!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-28.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-28.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-29.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-29.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-30.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-30.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-31.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-31.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-32.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-32.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-33.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-33.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-34.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-34.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-35.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-35.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[fleetus macmullitz]

Thrashing?!?! You missed this one!
:D

fqWyz2b475Q

Haha.

Nah, I saw it. Just didn't think I should be the one to post it.

:lol:

Monday's work. I was gone all day Tuesday, more photos soon!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-30.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-30.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-32.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-32.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-34.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-34.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-35.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-35.jpg)

Later
-Russell

Russell,

I like that you're posting a bunch of pics showing the process. :thumbsup:

BTW-how's the Nerd name been received? :)

Nerd's and welding are a unique combo...and unique is often good IMHO.

[rat_rod_russell]

I like that you're posting a bunch of pics showing the process. :thumbsup:

BTW-how's the Nerd name been received? :)

Nerd's and welding are a unique combo...and unique is often good IMHO.

At the very least we get a "I had to come take a look to see what a Nerd Rod was" and that's more than you can say about a lot of shop names from what I've seen at car shows. But its been good over all.

Later
-Russell

[waynieZ]

You've got an awesome build going on here.

[rat_rod_russell]

Done with the main rails now and I've moved to the front stub, radiator support cross member and bumper mounts.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-36.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-36.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-37.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-37.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-38.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-38.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-39.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-39.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-40.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-40.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-41.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-41.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-42.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_42/L-35.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-43.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-43.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-44.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-44.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-45.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-45.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-46.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-46.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-47.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-47.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-48.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-48.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-49.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-49.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-50.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-50.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work, how much welding time do you have in it so far?

[rat_rod_russell]

Nice work, how much welding time do you have in it so far?

Not to bad. 10-12 hours. I've not really been paying attention to time just figuring out the best order for the process and taking photos. We've got 6 other projects in the shop as well that need my attention.

Its starting to look like a frame. Getting all the outer frame rail body mounts welded up.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-51.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-51.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-52.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-52.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-53.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-53.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-54.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-54.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-55.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-55.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-56.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-56.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-57.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-57.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-58.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-58.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-59.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-59.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-60.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-60.jpg)


Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Updates! Getting the side rails married together after getting the rail spreaders nailed together. We've been thrashing on the TFC4 Stage 4 Running Chassis at the end of the page as well.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-61.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-61.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-62.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-62.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-63.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-63.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-64.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-64.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-65.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-65.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-66.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-66.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-67.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-67.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-68.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-68.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-69.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-69.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-70.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-70.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Nice!

[rat_rod_russell]

Update 2013.11.25

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-71.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-71.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-72.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-72.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-73.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-73.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-74.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-74.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-75.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-75.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-76.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-76.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-77.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-77.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-78.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-78.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-79.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-79.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-80.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-80.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-81.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-81.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-82.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-82.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-83.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-83.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-84.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-84.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-85.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-85.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-86.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-86.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-87.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-87.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-88.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-88.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-89.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-89.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-90.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-90.jpg)


http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-91.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-91.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-92.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-92.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-93.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-93.jpg)


http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-94.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-94.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-95.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-95.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-96.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-96.jpg)


http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-97.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-97.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-98.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-98.jpg)


Later
-Russell

[Beebe]

Top Notch, the frame is coming along killer !

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks!

Holiday season is the worst for hot rodders but I survived again. Got a little done on the other front rail and I bagged the first Truck frame today for delivery in a day or two. And by I, I mean Nerd Rods Minion T. Funny thing is the guy buying the frame is a pro shop and is going to put it under a C-10, not a TriFive truck. So he's going to find out how easy the design is going to be for me and he's close enough I can go over to take notes on the fitment. Thanks Kendell! :D KB Speed and Custom in Boerne if anyone wants to go bother him for me. It would be embarking if he finished before I did.

I did a few things differently on this side of the frame in terms of process and I've been making my list of tweaks I need to do for the production version of the frame. Just little things I missed like making keys one way so you can't put them in backwards. I've already gotten a hand full of those located. I've got even more photos on my computer with notes written on them to help me in making the animation video and other instructions, it all adds up but I like being able to answer questions as soon as they pop up.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-99.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-99.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-100.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-100.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-101.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-101.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-102.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-102.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-103.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-103.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-104.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-104.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-105.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-105.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

ITS COLD!!!!
Alright now that I got that out of my system.


Since we're finished with the cradle mounts its time to marry the sides together. These jig parts and the nuts and bots are all included with a Stage 1 kit frame. Man I love the fitment of the these keys. The good fitment really is all the difference in between good welds and sloppy looking welds. Prep Prep Prep!!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-106.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-106.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-107.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-107.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-108.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-108.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-109.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-109.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-110.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-110.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-111.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-111.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-112.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-112.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-113.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-113.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-114.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-114.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-115.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-115.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-116.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-116.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

Ugh, I found that 20 lbs I put on while designing the frame......
But you can see how we get these last few parts in. You might need a friend to help spread the rails out a little to make everything go together easier.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-117.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-117.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-118.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-118.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-119.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-119.jpg)


NOTE!!!!! Yes I have big clamps, but all you need is a RATCHET STRAP here to pull the rails together before welding. I was going to use one for the photos but it was in the back of the truck, and it was cold, and I'm a wuss so sue me, lol.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-120.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-120.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-121.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-121.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-122.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-122.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-123.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-123.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-124.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-124.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-125.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-125.jpg)

Next up is the 4 bar locators and then we marry the 3 big parts together into a single frame.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Rear four bar (Dog bone) to frame mount. If your going to run a live axle instead of the Corvette you can swap these out for different control arms, and do a 3 Link, 4 link, truck trailing arms, triangulated 4 bar, watts or pan hard bar system. There's tons of room to install any of them.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-126.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-126.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-127.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-127.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-128.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-128.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-129.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-129.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-130.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-130.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-131.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-131.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-132.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-132.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-133.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-133.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-134.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-134.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-135.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-135.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-136.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-136.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-137.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-137.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-138.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-138.jpg)

[ChuckDriver]

Looking good!

[GregWeld]

Nice Russell!

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks

Well its finally a whole frame. I've just got some brackets, gussets and the bottom to finish up and we'll be onto fitting the body. Now that the main frame is together I need to take it off the table to finish up a fuel tank so I can get a gas tank wrapped up and deliver an over due stage 4 TriFive chassis.

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-139.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-139.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-140.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-140.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-141.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-141.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-142.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-142.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-143.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-143.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-144.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-144.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-145.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-145.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-146.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-146.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-147.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-147.jpg)

[GregWeld]

So how many hours of welding do you have "accounted for"?



Just asking.

[rat_rod_russell]

So how many hours of welding do you have "accounted for"?

Just asking.

I haven't kept exact count on this one as its the first of the Chevy Truck frames but its taking a lot longer just because of all the photos I've been doing. For every photo I post I delete 5-10. But I was pondering this question a little while back and here's the little bit I timed just to get an idea. The box for the control arms to the frame that I installed just before I put the front on the frame. The one side I photographed the build of took me 7 hours. The second one took 1 hour and 50 minutes and I basically only weld at night to keep people from bothering me so mostly uninterrupted (you answer the girlfriends calls).

I would guess I have 22-25 hours in the frame right now with another 4-10 to finish it all up.

Keep in mind our shop is only 2 guys most of the time with 2 part time guys who help out and do body work on the shop projects. We've been building a TriFive stage 4 chassis, boxing up 6 other frames, run a powder coating business and my father (the other full time guy), he's going in for back surgery next month for a slipped vertebra so take a guess how useful he is right now. I wish I had the time to just bang this frame out but we need to support the customers who have already purchased their own TriFive frames. I will timelaspe the next frame (I have another in a crate to weld up) and clock it at the same time. With luck we'll have a dozen clocks on the set and you can see them all ticking along to get a feel for the time as well.

Later
-Russell

[GregWeld]

Yeah --- I was thinking maybe 60+ hours start to finish. MIG would be way faster… but not as nice. Well that's a debatable statement so I probably shouldn't even type it.

Sorry 'bout your Dad -- back issues suck!

[rat_rod_russell]

Yeah --- I was thinking maybe 60+ hours start to finish. MIG would be way faster… but not as nice. Well that's a debatable statement so I probably shouldn't even type it.

Sorry 'bout your Dad -- back issues suck!

Thanks, I'm just happy he's not going to be in such pain anymore. Watching the man you looked up to get old and slow down is tough but after the pre surgery physical the doctor described him as "exemplary condition" and I know his tolerance for pain in amazing so it'll be interesting to see how he is after it stops pinching his nerve and he can walk for more than 5 minutes at a time.

MIG has is advantages in certain places as does the TIG but I told the customer I would TIG this whole frame so I am. Ideally for production I'll MIG most of your 90° corners and lots of the heavy plate at the back of the frame. I would say start to finish a first timer would have 50-60 if they didn't have that many clamps, prep time and going back and forth between the video. A shop should be able to bag it out in under 20. I just dropped one of the 3 frames off with a friends shop so we'll see how long it takes him granted he'll be modifying his for a C10.

Later
-Russel

[WSSix]

That looks fantastic! Well worth the effort I'd say.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Congrats on the progress Russell. :thumbsup:

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks all!

Sorry I've been out of touch. Holidays, TIG died, had to help the girlfriend move, Jim (aka dad, works here with me) had back surgery and we had a TFC4 TriFive C4 Stage 4 Chassis to wrap up. But no relatives were murdered, the TIG has been fixed, girlfriend is moved in, Jim doesn't have any of the pain he's had in his legs and was walking again same day after the surgery and the Stage 4 Chassis is awesome!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/S-03.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/L-03.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/S-05.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/L-05.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/S-17.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/TFC4/stage_4/01/L-17.jpg)

I'm almost done with the truck frame. I didn't bother doing extensive photography in favor for speed. It was all just little bottom welding and a few loose brackets but I'll get few photos posted in a day or two I hope.


The rest of the photos are here.
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1282187#post1282187

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

BAM

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1524645_477462965693773_1123412499_n.jpg

real photos coming soon

-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

And the photos!

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-148.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-148.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-149.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-149.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-150.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-150.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-151.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-151.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-152.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-152.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-153.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-153.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-154.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-154.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-155.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-155.jpg) http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-156.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-156.jpg)

http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/S-157.jpg (http://www.nerdrods.com/Images/Product/CP5559C4/Stage2_01/L-157.jpg)

Now for some suspension

-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

Looks great Russell! I'm calling "Shotgun" for the first ride!!

[Hotrod1]

well if the purpose you are showing us the frame is to make us think that it is a great looking frame, well engineered, reasonable to put together, well thought out, make me want to have one, ..... then it is working.

[rat_rod_russell]

well if the purpose you are showing us the frame is to make us think that it is a great looking frame, well engineered, reasonable to put together, well thought out, make me want to have one, ..... then it is working.

Goooooooood (insert evil laugh)

Not pretty parts but its rolling. I need to get something together for a temp coil over shock and then its time to bring the cab in. It just got really cold down here but we'll be back to normal shortly. I need the stage 4 on the lift to go away and I'm working on the wiring harness to the 38 Ford in the background as well and I need to finish that to bring the Cab and front clip in to mount up. Hopefully that will happen Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-03.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-06.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-08.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-09.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-10.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-10.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-11.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-11.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-12.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-12.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-13.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-13.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-14.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-14.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-15.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-15.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-16.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-16.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-17.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-17.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-18.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-18.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

And we've mounted the cab and bed. Everything fits nicely when you use a little rubber body bushing. Factory is a piece of pressed particle board. You can see the photos with the trimming notes. And you can see the one with the frame note showing it just barely under the bed between the bed supports. It worked out really well and everything fits awesome. We will need to trim all the inner fenders weather it be tall or short for A frame clearance. That is shown as well.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-19.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-19.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-20.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-20.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-21.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-21.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-22.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-22.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-23.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-23.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-24.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-24.jpg)

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1497527_479783652128371_1853107410_n.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-25.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-25.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-26.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-26.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-27.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-27.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-28.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-28.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-29.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-29.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-30.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-30.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-31.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-31.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-32.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-32.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-33.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-33.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-34.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-34.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-35.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-35.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-36.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-36.jpg)

I'm getting my wheel stash out so I can check for the wides and look for possible clearance issues in the next few days. After that the body comes off and we mount the motor and check its fit.

Later
-Russell

[ChuckDriver]

It's coming together nicely!!

[aggie91]

Looking good! Seems like minimal trimming to make it all fit nice.

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks! I was hoping for no modifications but I already pushed the borders of engineering doctorate on a few places and I figure if you don't have tin snips to make these mods you shouldn't be swapping your own suspension much less welding your own frame.

Alright, we got her on the ground. I need to adjust the shocks a little and these tires are different sizes from the other side so its sitting a little odd but close enough for photos.

Tires! So a 245 with an 8.5 inch wheel is going to be the easiest thing to put under the truck without modifying the bed. Room is just tight under there. Now, you can see in the previous photos that the frame is designed to accommodate a lot of tire should you be willing to make the simple modification. Up front is amazing. A 275 on a 10.5" tire will fit easily and turn so you guys who want to see on of these babies handle, a 11" with a 295 should be cake with a little work to the outer fender and exact sizing to steer and stop the beast.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/M-37.jpg

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-38.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-38.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-39.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-39.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-40.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-40.jpg)

Miles and mile and miles of room under here!!! We're pulling the cab back off to mount up a 5.3L and see what the firewall clearance looks like.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-41.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-41.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-42.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-42.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-43.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-43.jpg)

Tires all fall nicely in their exact places. The gray wheels are 18" and the chrome are 17" to give you an idea of size. Some taller tires on the back would be a good look to the truck as well.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-44.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-44.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-45.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-45.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-46.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-46.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-47.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-47.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-48.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-48.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[fleetus macmullitz]

Congrats Russell :thumbsup:

Good idea to post all the pics...very helpful for those following along.

[Kendall Burleson]

killer job hope my chassis looks that good (good Job):thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[rat_rod_russell]

So here a some of the final mods I've made to the frame for the production batch. I'm happy that I'm only going to raise the front cradle a little bit in the production batch to get the suspension angle perfect. It will be more critical on the lower body height.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-49.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-49.jpg)

The rest are just opening up tolerances to accommodate for welding deflection in a few of the ears and the additional thickness of powder coating I didn't think about when I was designing.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-50.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-50.jpg)

Finally I replaced these gussets with tubing parts so we can cut the total assembly down by 12 parts and 20+ inches of welding.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-51.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-51.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-52.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-52.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-53.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-53.jpg)

Got the LM7 mounted up and we have MILES AND MILES of room!!!!

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-54.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-54.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-55.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-55.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-56.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-56.jpg)

We have plenty of room up here with small electric fans but we also have a lot of room behind the motor to move it back for bigger fans or longer pulleys. These are the OEM truck Pulley and are the longest OEM LS pulleys but a forward mount system will need more room. We also have plenty of room to clear a distributor for SBC guys.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-57.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-57.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-58.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-58.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-59.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-59.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

Tons of room for headers, steering is going to be cake (the cake is no lie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdrs3gr_GAs)), We even have plenty of transmission room with the high body height on this 4L60E and will only need a little modification on a 4L80E or T56. You can see we're even using the stock tall oil pan and we still have room to move the motor down a bit more if we need more room.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-60.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-60.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-61.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-61.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-62.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-62.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-63.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-63.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-64.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-64.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-65.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-65.jpg)


Chassis Clearance

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-66.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-66.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-67.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-67.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-68.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-68.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-69.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-69.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-70.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-70.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/S-71.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/09/L-71.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[aggie91]

Russell

Set up looks good on the truck and chassis. One question though...

In the picture of the oil pan in relation to the front crossmember, it looks like the tailshaft of the trans could come down to level out the bottom of the engine oil pan. Would that help the trans/floor pan clearence without hurting driveline angles?

[rat_rod_russell]

Russell

Set up looks good on the truck and chassis. One question though...

In the picture of the oil pan in relation to the front crossmember, it looks like the tail shaft of the trans could come down to level out the bottom of the engine oil pan. Would that help the trans/floor pan clearance without hurting driveline angles?

Good eye, I didn't feel like bolting the cross member in so its sitting on top of the bracket instead of under it. That's .500" down on the transmission mount. The pan angle is more because the trucks have live axles and are high off the ground so they tilt the motor back quite a bit to keep the drive line angle correct. Getting the pan flat is possible but not as important for this one. We would like lots of clearance for the guys who run the low body stance and don't want to knock holes in their pan but if you wanted to you could space the transmission crossmember down quite easily or just flip it and lower the motor .750" down.

So if you didn't want to mod the floor you've got room to go down but on say a t56 where the shifters position is almost as important a choice for the drive train placement then you can come up and do a little modification.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

List of parts to get ordered! This is why I don't normally do full builds. The paperwork kills me. A necessary ordeal of course but I just here this looping in my head the whole time I'm working up prices, number and contracts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sor9GzivGbk#t=01m45s

Body

Bed
Tail gate with crossmember
Rear Fenders +3 inches, Pair
Fender Supports


Power Windows

Tucker Power Window Regulators


Power Wipers

Newport Power Wiper System
Washer Pump kit
Washer Pump Switch


Gauges

Dakota Digital
Blue Lighting
Chrome Bezel


Wiring

Isis Power System
3 Cell Starter Kit
inMotion Power Window Controller
inTouch iPhone interface
inVert Mini (fuel pump)
inViroment Vintage Air Controller
inReserve Battery Monitor

Engine Wiring
Engine Harness

Optima Battery Yellow Top
Battery Ends and Terminals
Battery Cable
Assorted Weather Packs
Ignition Keyset

Lighting
H4 Head Lights
LED Tail Lights
Front Turn Signals


Steering Column

Stainless Column Shift
Column Adapter
3/4 U Joint Weld
17 DD to 3/4 Weld on U Joint
Steering Shaft
Shifter Cable
Supports & Hardware
Powder Coating Other Parts


AC System

Vintage Air Gen 4 System


Cooling System

PRC Polished Radiator Assembly
Radiator, AC Condenser, Core Support, Dual Electric Fans, Transmission Cooler, Fan Wiring Harness, Over Flow Tank
Radiator Hoses
Coolant
Installation Hardware


Brake System

Firewall Mount Brake Pedal System
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Brake Fluid


Powder Coating bits right now, We'll get back to you soon with more photos!

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Things are grinding to the speed of paperwork and parts shipping. I'm also working on the second frame time lapse video so look forward to that soon as well.

For guys who want to speed through all these photos I've made some of those cool galleries that you can just click through instead of all the back and forth.

Truck Drop off, Dis assembly and Adventures in Crappy Body Work Over Rust
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/custom_project_cp5559c4_george_s_1956_chevy_01

The New Cab and the design of the frame
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/custom_project_cp5559c4_george_s_1956_chevy_02

The FRAME! Pickup, Arrival and The Welding.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/custom_project_cp5559c4_george_s_1956_chevy_03

Assembly into a Rolling Chassis and the first sit on its own wheels.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/custom_project_cp5559c4_george_s_1956_chevy_04

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update time!

Sorry, we’ve been dealing with a ton of drama in regards to our frame tubing laser. They decided without notice to triple the cost of the frames. I called up to order truck frames for the first full production batch and at that time the shop decided to inform me that my frames had been costing them over 1,000.00 each out of there pocket. This puts me in a bad place because it not only interferes with the truck frames but it also put a complete stop to the TriFive frames as well leaving me with just the few frames I had in stock. The machine that cuts the tubing is rare here in the US and when I started they were the only job shop with the equipment I could find. After going round and round with them I paid their extortion level prices for 3 more of the truck frames. I had 2 sold already and had to buy the third just to get the order big enough for them to process it and all out of pocket. So needless to say things have been tight dealing with this.

The light at the end of the tunnel. So I need one of 2 things. One I need 2 shops to tell me that my old price is reasonable and continue manufacturing my parts at that price. This way if one gets to a point where they can no longer manufacture my parts I’ll have another that I know will make the parts at the same or similar price. Second is that I get the same numbers from these new shops as the original and find out that Nerd Rods has no future building my existing kit frames. However, getting a price isn’t easy on these frames. There are lots of parts and they are almost all different. This is what makes it possible for you all to assemble them but they are also difficult to price just from looking over the data. Lots of programing is needed to see how long each part will take on the machine, how much material will each take up, how will they all be nested on the source material, packaging and handling. And on and on. Next comes with the fact that almost no one’s software likes each other so I keep needing to convert my files into different formats for each shop and then answer questions different for each as well. Talk to the sales team, email the engineers and make drawings for the drafts men. I’ve already been told no by 4 shops but they all have the older machines without the auto feeding system so their handling was what killed the projects. I’ve got 2 shops I’m waiting on now for a final quote. One shop’s laser is so new it’s still in the crate but it’s also the latest model and the faster one available and while they change 400.00 and hour their machine is 4x faster than the place in Dallas that charged 185.00 an hour so to me that means half the price. Here’s hoping.


On to the actual prototype. Lots of parts are on order still but lots of other parts are here now. Have a look see.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-01.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-01.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-02.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-02.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-03.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-03.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-04.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-04.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-05.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-05.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-06.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-06.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-07.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-07.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-08.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-08.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-09.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-09.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-10.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-10.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-11.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-11.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-12.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-12.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-13.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-13.jpg)

I'm working on the Time Lapse of the second frame and the 3D animation right now as well so with luck I should have those out shortly.

Later
-Russell

[WSSix]

Good luck, Russell! :thumbsup:

[rat_rod_russell]

Well this has been an educational experience. I'm having to go out of state to get my laser cutting done. I've got 3 shops looking at my models and working up number for me. It was kind of funny. These tubing laser start around 800k, most are closer to 1.2 million and the big bad boys are 1.8 million. With a huge piece of equipment like that you would think these guys would advertise the heck out of them to keep the blasting metal around the clock.......... NOPE!!!

Finally in the last few weeks I started calling the tube laser manufactures. "WHO THE @#$% HAS YOUR MACHINE!" A few days later most of their sales guys called me back and several shops were tossed my way. I've already been turned down by 15 or so shops because they have older multi purpose machines that can't do the tube like a dedicated machine can and each one of those request are at lease a full day of talking, emailing, converting files, making special drawings for what ever questions they have and so on. I've been at that for months now trying to find a shop that can cut up the frames. So my silence hasn't been for naught.

What have I gotten done? Here's a beta video to kinda show you. I just slapped the footage together so you guys can take a look.

bzf37qaVy5Y

Make sure to kick it up to HD for all the beautful details and look for the big clock in the background toward the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzf37qaVy5Y

Back to work!
Later
-Russell

[214Chevy]

Here you go Russell, I put the actual video in the thread for you.

bzf37qaVy5Y

[rat_rod_russell]

Here you go Russell, I put the actual video in the thread for you.


Thanks for that!
I didn't realize it was a "YOUTUBE" Tag instead of the "video" tag that the other forums I frequent use. I swear I didn't see the youtube button the other day either. Weird.

Thanks again!
-Russell

[pokey64]

Well this has been an educational experience. I'm having to go out of state to get my laser cutting done. I've got 3 shops looking at my models and working up number for me. It was kind of funny. These tubing laser start around 800k, most are closer to 1.2 million and the big bad boys are 1.8 million. With a huge piece of equipment like that you would think these guys would advertise the heck out of them to keep the blasting metal around the clock.......... NOPE!!!

Finally in the last few weeks I started calling the tube laser manufactures. "WHO THE @#$% HAS YOUR MACHINE!" A few days later most of their sales guys called me back and several shops were tossed my way. I've already been turned down by 15 or so shops because they have older multi purpose machines that can't do the tube like a dedicated machine can and each one of those request are at lease a full day of talking, emailing, converting files, making special drawings for what ever questions they have and so on. I've been at that for months now trying to find a shop that can cut up the frames. So my silence hasn't been for naught.

What have I gotten done? Here's a beta video to kinda show you. I just slapped the footage together so you guys can take a look.

bzf37qaVy5Y

Make sure to kick it up to HD for all the beautful details and look for the big clock in the background toward the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzf37qaVy5Y

Back to work!
Later
-Russell

Very cool products Russell!

If you strike out on finding someone to do your tubing work here are a couple shops local to me. I've used them both for flat laser work and have always had great results. They both have tubing lasers and some other cool big boy toys. Definitely "out of state" for you... But if interested shoot me a pm and I'll send you contact info on the guys I work with.

http://www.kooimacompany.com/index.html

http://www.siouxlandfab.com/

[rat_rod_russell]

Very cool products Russell!

If you strike out on finding someone to do your tubing work here are a couple shops local to me. I've used them both for flat laser work and have always had great results. They both have tubing lasers and some other cool big boy toys. Definitely "out of state" for you... But if interested shoot me a pm and I'll send you contact info on the guys I work with.

http://www.kooimacompany.com/index.html

http://www.siouxlandfab.com/

Defiantly!!
And thanks for the links!
The problem with going farther meas that the frame has to be cut for less to offset the shipping. I would love to get the frames back down again for guys but the shop in Arkansas sounds like they are going to kick this little bugger in the teeth so fingers crossed. The idea that I spent the last 3 years of my life dedicated to a doomed project just because a lazy sales man didn't do his job is kinda depressing.

Back to work! At least I get to just weld for the next few weeks.
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

YES!!!!!

We have a laser shop again! And they are actually almost $50.00 bucks cheaper than the old shop. Now they are also an additional 300 miles away from the last shop and in another state but I'm not worried about my design not being reproducible for the same price. Basically I was worried that I had blown the last 3 years of my life developing a product and business model that would need to be entirely scrapped thanks to one lazy sales guy.

Back to work!
-Russell

[aggie91]

Good news. What do you think will be the next product you design?

[rat_rod_russell]

Good news. What do you think will be the next product you design?

Its a toss up between the C10 trucks and the Stingray 63-82 Corvettes. I've got quite a few C10 guys asking for frames but I'm not a big fan of the trucks. I want to do a Corvette because they are 2" longer than a Miata and with LS power and a real suspension you could have some serious fun as a track car with those. 19 years worth of cars with the single frame. But first I need to build my shop cars first and work on selling what I already have. Designing the frame is only a small part of the battle. Developing all the instructions and videos to make guys feel comfortable building their own cars is another part of the battle and I need to dedicate more time to it ASAP.

Later
-Russell

[RIDES BY DESIGN]

How's Progress Russell?

[rat_rod_russell]

How's Progress Russell?

Its going. I just picked up the first frames from the new laser shop and spent some time talking with them about their capabilities and making sure this arrangement is going to work out.

Because of all the activity on getting a new laser shop I'm WAY behind. So I needed to back burner the truck frame for a time. When his frame is off the table Jim (aka Dad) will start the assembly and powder coating and I'll get back on to this Truck Frame and get underway.

Thanks for keeping up with me!

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

So this is happening.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/M-14.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-14.jpg)
Click for full size

Basically in the down time since I last posted I've got 2 lasers up and running now, blew the motor up in my personal car, fixed that, one minion moved, got 2 new minions, been training them, had to change banks (if your a small business you know what kind of a royal pain this is) and my local laser shop has been teaching me to program his laser so I can save a few bucks. Cross that with a girlfriend that lives 240 miles away and its fun fun fun and busy busy busy on all fronts. I should have more photos up within the week. Their on my computer and need to be sorted. Also waiting on other parts.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Here are the rest.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-15.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-15.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-16.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-16.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-17.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-17.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-18.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-18.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-19.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-19.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-20.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-20.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-21.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-21.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-22.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-22.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-23.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-23.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-24.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-24.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-25.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-25.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-26.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-26.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-27.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-27.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Ah man, it was so cold today that no one came into the shop all day, It was AWESOME!!!

And thanks to the quite I manged to get the gas tank about 90% worked out. I'll need to build one real quick and make sure the lower gas filler hole will let the tank fill without backing up. It should work with the vent at the top to bleed off the air but I want to make sure. The tank is only 18.5 Gallons but it under the bed and it will use the stock filler neck. I've never liked the rear bed mounting solutions with the filler in the bed but I'm also 6'2" and more room in the CAB is a must for me. For more fuel I'll just add extra tank in the bed and just let it over flow down into the bottom tank and move the filler up higher.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-28.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-28.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-29.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-29.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-30.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-30.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-31.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-31.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-32.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-32.jpg)
Later
-Russell

[aggie91]

I know its in the thread somewhere, but I am just going to ask again.

What year model Corvette suspension does your frames use?

BTW, those pics look good.

[rat_rod_russell]

I know its in the thread somewhere, but I am just going to ask again.

What year model Corvette suspension does your frames use?

BTW, those pics look good.

C4, 1984-1996. I prefer to use the 1988-1996 specifically because of the superior suspension geometry, better shock mounting design and bigger front brake calipers and rotors.

But you can also do a live axle rear. The provisions to move the center crossmember and install different control arm system have already been incorporated to the design. I'll just need to design the kit for the axle.

Finally I'm thinking about designing a front suspension that will be supplied DIY and will be narrower for guys looking at deep offset wheels or in my case heavy duty parts and bearings for building a towing truck with big truck brakes. I plan on building a small haul truck for the shop show rig in the near future.

Later
-Russell

[RIDES BY DESIGN]

good stuff Russell. things are taking shape

[rat_rod_russell]

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-33.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-33.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-34.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-34.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-35.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-35.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-36.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-36.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-37.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-37.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-38.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-38.jpg)
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-39.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-39.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-40.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-40.jpg)


Gas tanks has been finalized and send to the laser for the first one. I still need to test my design to make sure it won't slow flow due to the height of the filler inlet. The Vent should be large enough to compensate.

Also finally found a CNC tubing bender that isn't insane about his prices. So I drew up the back half of the exhaust and send that and the program off to bend them this morning. This is my first jump into CNC bending so here's hoping its painless. If it is I'm going to be able to cut an easy 200-250 bucks off the cost of the exhaust systems for the Nerd Rods Frames.

The turquoises parts on the frame are revised from the first frames we built and sold thanks to this project and some feedback from guys who wanted to bit the bullet even though I've not gotten as far as I would have liked on this project yet. Nothing major, just subtle things, increasing or decreasing tolerances of different parts or keys. Adding little extensions and there was one slot I forgot to put into a rail but that's all taken care of now.

Later
-Russell

[Hotrod1]

Just out of curiosity, why not put the tank in the back?

[rat_rod_russell]

Just out of curiosity, why not put the tank in the back?

Everyone does that so a customer can just buy one of those if they want.

Mostly I wanted to use the stock filler on the cab but also to get more room in the cab. I didn't want all that dead weight hanging out behind the truck and from a collision stand point is safer. You also get better balance, and a more centralized CG for the racing guys and with the PT-57 getting one of these soon after I finish this one, anything that I can do for both works for me.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

More updates, The exhaust front part is too complex to have 1 piece bent. Some of the bends are too close together and the motors are mounting is different frame to frame so that bit need a little custom attention to make fit exactly. So we got this part mocked up and the braided brake lines finally showed up. I have to order custom lines to have an AN-3 on one end and the 10mm on the other AND have a DOT stamp on the lines. Kore 3 does good work with quality American parts so I don't mind the short wait. These are getting on and worked out as well. The rear half exhaust has been XYZ'd and has been ordered.

Now for the real reason most of you are here, pretty pictures!!!!
http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-41.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-41.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-42.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-42.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-43.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-43.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-44.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-44.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-45.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-45.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-46.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-46.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-47.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-47.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-48.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-48.jpg)


Later
-Russell

[aggie91]

Nice work so far...:thumbsup:

[mitch_04]

Looking at the CAD pics, won't the gas tank gather quite a bit of heat from the mufflers? Or are you doing a shield of some sort?

[rat_rod_russell]

Looking at the CAD pics, won't the gas tank gather quite a bit of heat from the mufflers? Or are you doing a shield of some sort?

Good eye! Yes I'm welding stainless bolts to the muffler head first and Dad's going to roll some beads onto a thin sheet of aluminum to make a heat shield between the mufflers and the gas tank.

Modern cars have heat shielding all over the place. My subarus are almost completely covered end to end with shielding plate on the exhaust.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Alright! CNC Bent exhaust back half was a success! Unfortunately its not but a few buck cheaper after shipping but its still WAY nicer and there might be some discounts in the future when I start working in some kind of volume.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-49.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-49.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-50.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-50.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-51.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-51.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-52.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-52.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-53.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-53.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

Gas tank is also completely welded. I just need to install the pump and sending unit to finish it up and have the hold down brackets finished up then it will be ready for powder coating. Once we finish the heat shields for the mufflers then it will be ready for final install.

One thing is for certain, I need my own sheetmetal brake and soon. The brake I've been using isn't well cared for and I end up setting it up each time but on this tank the setup was a bit off because I didn't bring my mic's with me and it shows if you know what to look for. That's why I sanded off a good chunk of the welds and smoothed them out.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-53.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-53.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-54.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-54.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-55.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-55.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-56.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-56.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-57.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-57.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-58.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-58.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-59.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-59.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-60.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-60.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-61.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-61.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-62.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-62.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-63.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-63.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

I'm also making a drive shaft protection that will be sold with the tank as well so if a U-Joint breaks the drive shaft will be held in with steel not banging into your aluminum fuel tank. Although if you think you might rupture a drive shaft then this tank isn't for you and I don't think it will clear a live axle anyway.



But it looks good in the frame!

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-64.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-64.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-65.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-65.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-66.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-66.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-67.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-67.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-68.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-68.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-69.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-69.jpg)

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-70.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-70.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-71.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-71.jpg) http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/S-72.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/10/L-72.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update Time!

Logistics, logistics, logistics. Mainly on wheels for George. We finally had Ben @ Hermance Designs (http://www.hermancedesign.com/) do a rending for him to try our several wheels after looking at some very expensive options he landed on the Showwheels and here we are.

http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/11/L_55Chevy2015_final.jpg (http://nerdrods.com/Images/customer/CP5559C4/0001_George_Waddell/11/M_55Chevy2015_final.jpg)

We've also been busy with the version 7 TriFive Car frame and lots of carts and other fabrication and handling equipment here in the shop. Its been busy, just doesn't look that way from the outside looking in.

Here's just one of the rolling chassis's that's been pushed out the door since we've been out of touch.
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128100

And a roadster we've started on recently as well.
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=49673

But the CAM is in as of today, and the wheels should be here shortly. So next the truck can come in and we can lock down the chassis. More photos to come shortly.

Later
-Russell

[waynieZ]

rendering looks good, Beautiful job on the frame Russell.

[rat_rod_russell]

Thank you sir


So we finally flow tested the gas tank. The shop water hose filed a 5 gallon bucket in 1:15. When I topped my bike of the other day it took 1:35 to fill 4 gallons so we're good there. We hooked it all up with all the bends to get up to the stock filler neck on the truck and let her rip. Test came out perfectly and we're good to go.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/2015-03-28_10.00.28.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/2015-03-28_10.00.28.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/2015-03-28_10.00.36.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/2015-03-28_10.00.36.jpg)

With that confirmed I ordered up 2 more tanks. We recently had frame #2 returned to us for completion. They had purchased it as a stage 2 for a father son project but with the son in high school they hadn't touched it. So it went from a stage 2, to a stage 3, and finally they asked for a stage 4 running chassis with a 5.3L LS and an automatic so one tank for them and one for stock. So you'll see some of their photos in here as well. The cool thing if I can swing it will be that George's is a tall body and The Webb's truck is a low body so if I do this right we can have some side by side stance photos soon.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/20150401-_H6A1650.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/20150401-_H6A1650.jpg)

We got George's motor cleaned up and a coat of paint on it and the transmission to spruce it up a bit after the CAM swap. CAM, Push Rods, Valve Springs, and a light stall torque converter. But is all back together and in the frame for the last time

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150330-_H6A1641.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150330-_H6A1641.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150403-_H6A1681.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150403-_H6A1681.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150403-_H6A1682.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150403-_H6A1682.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150403-_H6A1678.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150403-_H6A1678.jpg)


We're making up all the lines and fitting the radiator core. Coolant, Power Steering, Transmission and so forth will all be worked out now and then the body fitted so we're not monkeying around under the hood.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150406-_H6A1688.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150406-_H6A1688.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150406-_H6A1687.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150406-_H6A1687.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150406-_H6A1685.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150406-_H6A1685.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150406-_H6A1684.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150406-_H6A1684.jpg)

More to come soon, I've spent the last few months getting stock all worked out so we should flow through the project more quickly now.
George's Gallery http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/
The Webb's Gallery http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

We’ll we’re waiting on a few things from the customer, namely the wheels, a final paint decision and some final budgeting plans for the level of finish out we’re going to be doing. So my hands are tired on a few things for now but the Webb’s truck will be getting the spot light for the time being so we should have two running trucks driving out of the shop shortly, one high and one low body stance.


So we’ve got the body on the frame now and we’re stared hooking up the final systems and doing the final checks on clearances for our kits so we can finalize the designs on those.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150418-_H6A1851.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150418-_H6A1851.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150418-_H6A18549.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150418-_H6A1849.jpg)


The CCP firewall mounted break pedal goes in beautifully but there are almost no instructions about it so Jim is going to do a video about its installation. While the frame in its high body placement is a no body modification fit you will still need to install the firewall master cylinder and that reacquires cutting on your body. So we want a video showing that so people will know what modifications are needed and specifically how hard they are. Jim said he should be able to do the next one in 30 minutes so look forward to that.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150418-_H6A1852.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150418-_H6A1852.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150419-_H6A1862.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150419-_H6A1862.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150419-_H6A1861.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150419-_H6A1861.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150419-_H6A1858.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150419-_H6A1858.jpg)


There is also a lot of room to the engine that we don’t normally have on the TriFive’s so larger systems like the 8” or 9” boosters are an option here for people who want some serious braking power.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150419-_H6A1864.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150419-_H6A1864.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/thumbnails/20150419-_H6A1865.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/06/photos/20150419-_H6A1865.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

Wow its been a little while but we're gotten a bit done on Georges 56 and the Webb's 55. I'm really excited to see the tall and low bodies sitting side by side soon. Wheels are on the way for both and so that should be happening soon.

Some detailed photos of the tank assembly that were asked for by another guy but I thought everyone would like to see whats inside.

Gallery with all the photos so its easier to flip through them. I also omitted a few from the post to make it under the posting limit.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-01.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-01.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-02.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-02.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-03.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-03.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-07.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-07.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-08.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-08.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-09.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-09.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-19.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-19.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-20.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-20.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-21.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-21.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-25.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-25.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-26.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-26.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-27.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-27.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-31.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-31.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-40.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-40.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/thumbnails/L-41.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/01/photos/L-41.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

Georges truck is waiting on parts for the time being so we're working on the Webb's truck so the kid can drive it a bit before he takes off to collage in a few weeks. So its hammer time.

The complete photo gallery can be found here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/

Got the heat shields done for the mufflers.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150530-_H6A2103.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150530-_H6A2103.jpg)

And picked up their cab.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150706-_H6A2553.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150706-_H6A2553.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150706-_H6A2557.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150706-_H6A2557.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150706-_H6A2558.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150706-_H6A2558.jpg)


Got it back to the shop Monday night and by Wednesday afternoon it looked like this.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150707-_H6A2565.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150707-_H6A2565.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150708-_H6A2591.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150708-_H6A2591.jpg)


The firewall and floor will be done this afternoon. We're going to do this truck 1" taller than the lowest possible so the ribs in the floor can be left alone and they can use the bench seat.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[dug]

Nice progress. I like the tank too.:ohsnap:

[rat_rod_russell]

Lots going on with both Georges truck and the Webb's

On the Webb's

Got the engine fired up to check for leaks in the transmission cooler and fuel lines.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150715-_H6A2647.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150715-_H6A2647.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150715-_H6A2649.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150715-_H6A2649.jpg)


Short video of here running for the customers
wODnGeehUvg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODnGeehUvg


Then I realized it was a mess and clean it up a bit for some nicer photos. You can see the tank hold downs and exhaust heat shields. Here I screwed up and didn't leave enough room for the heat shields and had to add a spacer to the tank to move it up to clear. I'll correct this in future designs by wrapping the mufflers and moving the exhaust down a little bit.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2647.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150718-_H6A2654.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2660.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150718-_H6A2660.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2663.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150718-_H6A2663.jpg)


http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2665.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150718-_H6A2665.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2672.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150718-_H6A2672.jpg)


And we got the body on for the last time.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150720-_H6A2710.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150720-_H6A2710.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150720-_H6A2711.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150720-_H6A2711.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150719-_H6A2688.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150719-_H6A2688.jpg)


We had to do a little different floor board modification for the gas tank filler neck since we raised the tank a bit but it won't be hard to seal up.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150720-_H6A2699.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150720-_H6A2699.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150720-_H6A2704.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150720-_H6A2704.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150720-_H6A2706.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150720-_H6A2706.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

We also finally got the wheels for George's truck and got it on the ground to take a look at.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2675.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20150718-_H6A2675.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2677.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20150718-_H6A2677.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2680.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20150718-_H6A2680.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2683.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20150718-_H6A2683.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20150718-_H6A2686.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20150718-_H6A2686.jpg)

We're waiting on the paint booth to take Georges truck over for paint then we can do final assembly.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Battery mounted with an SKFab battery box and some bolts welded to the back of it so we could mount it to the firewall.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3000.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3000.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3005.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3005.jpg)


Power steering lines are done and you can see we're using the auto transmission cooler for a rack and pinion cooler. I went in the bottom and out the top to keep it from all back flowing into the overflow tank since its under the top line and cut down on the length of line. I also told the customer if I'm crazy and there is a problem I'll install another cooler and different lines on my dime later. The column shifter cable is installed and tuned.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3002.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3002.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3003.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3003.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3007.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3007.jpg)

And the PRC Radiator System is installed for the final time and getting hooked up. We're going to use the radiator temp gauge hole for the steam vent line off the throttle body.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3010.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3010.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3012.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3012.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/thumbnails/20150724-_H6A3014.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/02/photos/20150724-_H6A3014.jpg)

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[fleetus macmullitz]

Hey Russell,

c_GFzFqyaRc


:D


Looking forward to seeing that 56 painted...

[rat_rod_russell]

Cute Skip

And the 55 (the flat black truck) won't get painted. The 56 is getting a "one color" paint job. I don't have any painters I trust and we're really not set up to handle the assembly of nice painted cars so its going to look good in photos but I'm not going to be proud of it (I haven't even sprayed it yet)

Now more about the black 55

She moves under her own power now.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3016.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3016.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3019.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3019.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3026.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3026.jpg)

Photo gallery for easy viewing and a few more photos not posted here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002- Rick Jake Webb/03/ (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/)

Rick and Jake are waiting on their custom offset 20's to be done so I'm lending them my old race wheels and tires. I'm not using them at the moment.

BEFORE YOU ASK ABOUT THE REAR TIRES
Yes 345's will fit but not with stock fenders. I just needed a set of tires that were very even and equal for balancing and alignment and this was the only set not in use at the moment.


http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3027.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A30127.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3028.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3028.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3029.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3029.jpg)

But the 275 fronts will work on a 10.5" wheel with 56mm offset and a small spacer so it won't hit the sway bar.


http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3023.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3023.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3025.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3025.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150728-_H6A3030.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150728-_H6A3030.jpg)


The filler neck worked perfectly but I need to re seal the gas tank. I think someone used the wrong sealer on the lids and she bleeds when hit with direct sun. So I'll have that sorted shortly.

The alignment is also mostly sorted. I ran out of time and this was close enough so we can start balancing and adding body work. Alignment is hard once the fenders are covering the wheels and fining an alignment machine that can do them is a royal pain so we align like this first. I didn't realize that this older alignment machine would allow us to put the scales under the wheels or I would have brought them too. Next time for sure now that I know about this guy just up the road from me.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150729-_H6A3034.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150729-_H6A3034.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150729-_H6A3036.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150729-_H6A3036.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150729-_H6A3038.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150729-_H6A3038.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150729-_H6A3040.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150729-_H6A3040.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

We with this guy about ready to leave we all really wanted to see what the stance was going to look like so we slapped on a pair fenders and balanced a hood up top. Mmmmmmm, what a good stance. And this is still 1 inch higher than the maximum low you can do with our frame. We will do the lowest possible we can with my fathers truck so be ready. Also I shot these photos from waist high. It makes for a good photo but in person it looks even lower. I also shot a bunch of video to help explain whats involved with doing the low body stance for guys interested in seeing a bit more. I'm editing it right now and hope to have it up before the end of the week.

The easy flip through gallery is here ( http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/ )

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150807-_H6A3046.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150807-_H6A3046.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150807-_H6A3053.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150807-_H6A3053.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150807-_H6A3061.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150807-_H6A3061.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150807-_H6A3066.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150807-_H6A3066.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3069jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3069.jpg)



You can see here some of the clearance considerations to go with the firewall and radiator clearance. Also remember, this is the deep 5.3L Truck oil pan so with the correct pan the engine could be lower giving more room to the firewall and requiring less modification. Also the truck pulleys stick the furthest away from the block so a Camaro or Corvette pulley system would again let you get the engine further forward and again give more room to the firewall.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3074.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3074.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3075.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3075.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3077.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3077.jpg)


http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3079.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3079.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3080.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3080.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3081.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3081.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3082.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3082.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/thumbnails/20150808-_H6A3083.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002%20-%20Rick%20Jake%20Webb/03/photos/20150808-_H6A3083.jpg)


Hope to have that video soon!
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Figured this would help answer some questions about the fit and clearing we had to do. This will basically apply to all task force trucks with C4 suspension so enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb0UY3gReOo
Gb0UY3gReOo

[SBDave]

Thanks for taking the time/effort to make a video update. I think videos give such a better feel for the projects. Trucks are looking awesome!

Dave

[rat_rod_russell]

Finally getting back on the original truck we started on. The customer wanted it painted and so I've been trying to sort that bag of worms for the last several months. First I tried to out source it, talked to several painters, most never showed up after saying they would, some wouldn't do what the customer wanted done and a few gave me a bad vibe. I've learned with painful reputation that I need to listen to my gut on things like that so those guys were a no go. Finally I decided to just spray it here. Waited on a paint booth to rent that ended up not working out. Finally a few days ago I had my minion clean the back up, threw the hood on the stands and painted the damn thing. Did the fenders later that day and so fourth. I would be painting the cab right now but my glasses got FUBAR'd yesterday and my prescription changed so now I'm adjusting to new glasses before I dare spray the cab.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/020.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/020.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/023.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/023.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/029.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/029.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/035.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/035.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/032.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/032.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/036.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/036.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/039.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/039.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/043.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/043.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/042.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/042.jpg)

More photos soon. I hope to paint the cab when I wake up. We are fixing a few things I don't like about the exhaust at the moment and bolting down the last of the brake lines. Then its body install time for the last time!

[Hotrod1]

Very Nice!

What size tires will you be able to run all the way around?

[rat_rod_russell]

Very Nice!

What size tires will you be able to run all the way around?

Fronts are an easy 275, 295 with some light mods but I'm going to try and make 305's work for the hard core guys. Back will also probably handle a 275 without much, if any modification but these trucks are 74" wide so 345's are only a few minor modifications away on a step side. And for the pro drag guys just install a stick axle over the Corvette IRS and put your trash can wide tires up under there or get the fiberglass +3" fenders and have all the tires up under there. I want to see dually wheels with 345's.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[fleetus macmullitz]

Russell,

Way to...

[rat_rod_russell]

I had to do some modifications to the exhaust on this one that took longer than expected. So with that the chassis is completed and I got a last set of photos before the body goes on one last time.

Easy viewing gallery here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/001.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/001.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/002.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/002.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/003.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/003.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/004.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/004.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/005.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/005.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/007.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/006.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/009.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/008.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/010.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/010.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/011.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/011.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/012.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/012.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/013.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/013.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/014.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/014.jpg)

[rat_rod_russell]

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/015.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/015.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/016.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/016.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/017.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/017.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/018.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/018.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/019.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/019.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/020.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/020.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/021.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/021.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/022.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/022.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/023.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/023.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/024.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/024.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/thumbnails/025.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/photos/025.jpg)


Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001 - George W/07 (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/)

Well this has been a long time coming. Sorry for the delay. Customer had some changes, so I had to warp up the projects in front of him before I could continue on this project. Its not fair to the guys who have been waiting when the guy in the middle suddenly goes. "I want to add this"

So! Its got all the sheetmetal on there. Got some good photos outside while we were cleaning the shop the other day. This beast needs its wiring and then its time to drive it!

Gallery link at the top. Highlight photos here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20170513-_H6A1044.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20170513-_H6A1044.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20170513-_H6A1029.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20170513-_H6A1029.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/thumbnails/20170513-_H6A0984.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001%20-%20George%20W/07/photos/20170513-_H6A0984.jpg)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Busy busy busy. We're booked out through the summer so I keep forgetting to post updates.

All the photos are here

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/

But here are a few details as well. We shipped two of these out a few weeks back and we're knee deep in a few other projects.

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171106-_H6A1164.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photo/20171106-_H6A1164.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171106-_H6A1168.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photos/20171106-_H6A1168.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171106-_H6A1170.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photos/20171106-_H6A1170.jpg)

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171106-_H6A1188.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photo/20171106-_H6A1188.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171106-_H6A1190.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photo/20171106-_H6A1190.jpg) http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/thumbnails/20171107-_H6A1269.jpg (http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/photo/20171107-_H6A1269.jpg)

LS3 Connect and Cruise, 480 HP kit, PRC Radiator Core Support, C4 Corvette Suspension, QA1 Double Adjustable Coil Over Shocks, Front and rear swaybars, Stainless Steel 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust, Flow masters delta 50 series mufflers, and my new billet shock mounts and exhaust hangers.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

She lives!!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgOMFfwF6p6/

I also took her out to eat the other day. A meal for her then a meal for me. I did figure out the filler neck and OE style fuel cap don't play well with fueling so I'm going to add a external vent check valve with a rollover protection lock on it to the system and see if that helps fueling.

One might remember me testing the tank and 90° angles of the fuel system to see if the vent and angles would flow enough to prevent back burping on the fuel and it worked so I just need a bit more venting and something to let off pressure as the mass warms up and cools off.

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29214540_1447909135315813_3499760563945189843_n.jp g?oh=ff0f1a34e35318d54cd7fde68530e4b0&oe=5B00D59C

Also my cat thinks she's an engine.

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/28795837_1441001076006619_5324447490307101485_n.jp g?oh=94689d1340e287021ec0baea9b10282e&oe=5B48E62A

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Trips, sick, and design.

It's been a fun several weeks but it looks like this is going to happen sooner than later. I have a few other minor things that need to happen on Georges truck as well. Rear swaybar linkage that got more complex that I would have liked but they are correct and that's more important at the moment.

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/30261238_1472465626193497_449561482173413567_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=0&oh=7718a86ed78884e5ca620a3b832f1637&oe=5B3211B4

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/29749858_1472465649526828_7815608607757098909_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeHkVOUStfioio_g56k6mWIyYoh8bSPJ7DZg Nq4xmUT8dYg26TiXdnBuSNdkiZ7-DrA-YCOTu-SmdUHCXCRj7unngDdTik8QEsR2x7mWWtH20A&oh=ca9cad448d3baf12b5ac86017155c519&oe=5B6266CF

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30051751_1472465682860158_3267889283158573518_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeHxbcGIVVgrudVqS7sbmbk0_OLp4UCRXTek p_faole3hcwB2dPe7il6I6ZpYeJghWEYna8Mf6TZeaKZPL2l4X bjueNDudHTSFLFsnZo_KXrlg&oh=fdd83d43551cd9f02b1d48343334dc93&oe=5B760916

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30051704_1472465712860155_3894131712393791379_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeGXdriCyKjgT5bBzBn2XrnnNowxoLWY56W-RACCaZL1stLhRxl6OmF1-ThY83Xp4rap-DH_cT0oyd-kBDcofUkeJLTHLTgCrIqZKAG5vjElew&oh=ba04cc334bceb89e61955d4d4c411920&oe=5B64E007

And then dumbluck today. I "assumed" that 14mm misalignment washers would be available with the 14mm rod end. And I was wrong. But as luck would have it the ½" misalignment washes I have are on the same size sphere used on the 14mm rod end. So one 14mm drill bit and a moment or two later on the lathe and we're good to go.

I also have 14mm X 1mm shims ordered for the bump steer adjustment and the 14mm X 110mm bolts ordered. I'm psyched to see if this is going to work as well as I hope it will. If not I still have the option to shorten the steering arm length for a few more degrees of steering angle at a mild sacrifice of bump steer at the extreme end of the suspension travel spectrum. Like all suspension its a compromise inside of a compromise inside of a compromise.

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/30442546_1474396939333699_7176127384842422910_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=962db1907d066ba3b36eb51409699f22&oe=5B7033BC


The goal will be both steering arm and rear sway bar linkage at the same time when all the parts are here in a week or so.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

I got the parts in and they are welded up, I just need to make them pretty then install them. I'm working on a small mountain of assorted parts to get powder coated at the same time. Motor mount plate, shock adapters, swaybar linkage, and the mounting brackets for the rear swaybar linkage. The plan is to get them installed a bit later this week.

Back to work!

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30813664_1492571547516238_2773237710009480422_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeFJ2btkObO-fW7R0Mjhv-iCKjKq6yqimsFcMk8LT7hR8Pf6_FWEG0uPyhrdKn4cSOtqVzxx KrClneoNNkJ3GUZdTb18hT6YCQPh8T0fnCZibw&oh=7b6f15692fea247ef367d16fa46d65bd&oe=5B5CE5EE

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30821846_1492622234177836_6737844873219487978_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeEG6Sv4nyIRDy4QiKcpf9FlmK1AQsCisEOW m7LB-7sAku6PMslTvSrLpBXIG1PbgqUHeG-LbZkiebr9h6eKvZCys2dDvTUF7YX26HNQkU7VpA&oh=3c923cff03f75081128d21b716713485&oe=5B9CED32

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30171434_1492573520849374_2478180810720639997_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeGXIkG7praXag7gqiNMthoRLwFc9gnjj9ob u_-hvPSvcRjxACZKWqpbamwKkExEhQXJMK-z97zR-RMdrWsz1URpLyw69C2RzzBA5blFWmcvmw&oh=d7b933da2cd8950f9d6a7f67a9dfcc8e&oe=5B5BF1A1

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/31043336_1492573494182710_2898458667645829059_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeHFjYtNyWbptealxEEdnnX_gI8vfOIQ1bQR-a4d9MtBCCLf7bgVghEjqs9bjo1cLjUJvC6636c3xFWjTmvsS2O vqjmkvD-kLxehVLLDpIWgTQ&oh=9b3a386ec2a5fb099e78cc1c6475c52d&oe=5B940F12

[rat_rod_russell]

This worked out much better than the previous one. The customer is trying to get by a cheap as possible but when the intake air temps were the same as the operating temp the engine wouldn't run almost at all. So we made it a real cold air intake this time to solve that problem.

Note two, when it got up to temp the fans didn't come on. If you started with a truck engine that had a mechanical fan then the electric fan controls are disabled in the software. So that was fun to figure out. If you get no ground signal at your fan relay then you know its the tune file.

A few other things to do then its time to blow it apart and make it pretty.

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34258816_1523032377803488_2769098688566394880_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=d7dbb74c5d25f5b3cd6efbced325b629&oe=5B7A3894

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34163503_1523032407803485_8035435785597485056_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=6eb83e16a5c1f9fa651bef6d7b5e8153&oe=5B777A3D

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34102603_1523032444470148_7833766725790203904_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=d48b79c8d108e9cb72177489450d622a&oe=5BBC9A4E

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34087910_1523032501136809_3089546610837815296_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=d89af7b3465e4b08a5c51005570ae3da&oe=5B7B6157

So close to being done!
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34322471_10212799168869450_8554804886254911488_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f6b4086a90d3caa96d7e8ff93dec064c&oe=5B822142

Fortunately its highly functional. It was 103°F the other day and the ITA Temp Sensor right by the TB showed 100°F driving around town while the engine was sitting at 195°F with both fans feathering off and on as necessary. So for this project that's missions accomplished.


https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34416365_1527804203992972_7767180430461108224_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeHg9UcrL23uZ51Ms8VmzJqxh0vsQ4jttaMfbg93l YY3B8vF4QZE-Rz8zmemwhELtLFtQjxJ6IvaRUlmemqS5krgWyTx1qBGRGHy30N tG37LCA&oh=c9756ffa57197beb85b2ad8a64be4914&oe=5B7ABF8F

And so it begins! 100 mile shake down complete! Taking a few things off to look for problems and then install new goodies to test and evaluate. She gets closer to going home with each little bit of work.

Custom Ackerman steering arms are going on with this round and the sway bar modifications and new linkages as well.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[fleetus macmullitz]

Russell,

Very cool project. :thumbsup:

Good to see your updates.

[rat_rod_russell]

Russell,

Very cool project. :thumbsup:

Good to see your updates.

Thank you sir, I appreciate that.

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34894263_1531488790291180_8163369143219781632_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeE3ywfn4RtKSUrc8ttO8Oc0r9eyxTpF3q3ZNLoJc bVkldF8g1FCAmsaLFdaKPmDxG5b_LSANa8DyKCKuzJq7NPpF8k jujydSrEUvOf-xNgLtA&oh=1138d2a92486be211cec104fa1c44cc8&oe=5B7D8C6E


Long story short, there wasn't enough thread engagement for me to be happy with it so the temporally fix is a cut and weld BUT THIS IS ONLY FOR ME TO TEST THE STEERING ARMS, THIS WILL NOT BE DEVILED TO THE CUSTOMER OR SOLD AS PART OF THE KIT. All caps because someone still won't read it and will want to be a hero for pointing out that this isn't a perfect execution. I trust my welds on a thread angle more than I trust 5mm thread engagement.

I also had to move the sway bar a bit to clear the new steering linkage trajectory, hints the spacer blocks on the mount.

Sorry for the delay, I'm helping a friend build his new family home so that's eating up several days a week right now plus manufacturing and production on the other chassis projects in the shop dosen't leave much time. Good thing I'm single or I'd never get to work on my projects. ;)

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

First, I was correct, the inner tie rods on the truck were not correct. They were the 84-87's on an 88-96 rack. That's why I had to cut them. So that will probably be an easy fix. Here are a few shots from another chassis in the shop with the steering arms bolted up.

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35832925_1544744212298971_5632425347539533824_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=abfb9d208a86ffbad04f68e743c1f985&oe=5BB964A6

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35629043_1544744165632309_7530192222491246592_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=c9ac47878b24ce089f781195f9329cad&oe=5BE90177

Down side this only has 14mm of thread engagement on the rod end. While "the diameter of the shaft" in threads worth of engagement is acceptable by most books this just doesn't feel like enough for an almost all tension stress. So I'll probably still replace the end. Go to a male 14mm rod end and have a 14mm threaded sleeve made for the two the both thread in from each end. Cut a little off the rack and pinion's inner tie rod and call it much safer for the kit.


Now the report on the steering and driving feel.

I have put a few miles on the truck around town and on a longer trip to the Austin Cars and Coffee this last Sunday. The verdict at the moment is that it feels much better now that you are not fighting the steering with each turn but the turning radius is only slightly improved. Noticeably improved but not completely. I feel like its good enough for most customers since the "fighting steering wheel" feel is gone but it could be better. I've not gone back to my "test site" because of the local carnival is in town and the ferris wheel is right in the middle of the concrete I use for that particular test. The butt measuring tape says 4-8 feet tighter since the wheels aren't fighting each other any more but I won't say any more till I get an accurate testable metric to confirm.

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35512713_1540929156013810_1129512455374897152_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=b12cf9dc8fec0fbb6be93b880b38f069&oe=5BA9BE8B

I'm going to try one more prototype on the red truck with a "drift racer" trick and shorten the arm length to increase the angle of the steering arm. This isn't the best way to get more turning radius since it also creates "Ackerman migration" that exacerbates the farther you turn but if guys have happily been suffering bad Ackerman and bad turning radius this whole time I think Bad Ackerman and an acceptable turning radius are more desirable outcome. We'll see what I can do. I need to fix up a computer to start plugging in numbers to my suspension geometry program and see what I can do with the pivot location to make this workable.

Also find me on Instagram or Facebook for some daily updates user name NerdRods on both.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Oh, also picked up a cheep front bumper and slapped some powder on it along with the side trim. The center caps on the wheels were screwed too so they all got the black powder coat treatment that the center grill got and it really brought the whole front end together. Go figure I'd wash the wheels and it would rain the next day but I'll take the cool weather in the Texas summer for having to wash a car or two, hands down. It was 102°F Today it was 78°F. DONE!

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35462730_1539237149516344_3629428299207278592_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=a449d3ecc089a25df7c841b7abbdf112&oe=5BABEA9F

I'll get some good photos when the tropical storm finishes blowing through.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Took her out to the Luling Watermelon Thump Car Show while I cleaned the shop some.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36222836_1550503048389754_7146103974498664448_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=149bbab02ce1c4b8a1404ac46282029e&oe=5BA95AB2

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36062852_1550503091723083_7824912569105121280_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=5731e702ed2b7ece9a6fc8f2a5efe6eb&oe=5BB70DDC

We've been plugging floor board holes, and tweaking the fuel vent line. Dad's building a cover for the vintage air box under the dash and I'm tuning the shift points and VE table for some isolated knocking. More of that when I get the photos off my big camera.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Getting closer to wrapping up. Added a vacuum accumulator to help the little booster out and got some simple seat belts in. Better than nothing, which is what I've been doing. Sorry guys, I would work faster but the customer's asked me to slow up a bit for now due to some family health problems. So suspension tuning it is! I'm going for closer to Cadillac than Corvette. Now to play with it but more than likely I'm going to need to fit longer shocks on the V2 frame to make that really happen. I'm looking into cutting down the bump stops some as well. Handling is on point (especially now that I can go around corners without holding onto the door) but its solidly on the firm side. The seat handles a good deal of it but I'd like to have a recipe for better ride for customers looking for that finish.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36654851_1563720050401387_2449355686392365056_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=3caf46f15268115735e0297ef3bce6d0&oe=5BD2CC9A

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36558632_1563719993734726_1416592355816898560_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=eac933b572292a65e289968859df70c3&oe=5BD47E25

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36607610_1563720117068047_2193720530014568448_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=53707f52ca20c840876e36b5c760608b&oe=5BDAB75F

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Ah yes, been one of those weeks.

First we had to clean out the AC lines because of a cross over mistake under the dash by one of my team. It happens, get upside down and backwards and this kind of thing just happens. Not the customers problem so its all out of pocket.

Dryer replaced because any water in them and they are toast so that got replaced as well.

Clean all the systems out and now the heater valve is "ticking". Also drawing 2 amps of power when the car is turned off. Vintage Air systems have their own circuit wired to the battery so all that current isn't going through the key. Makes since but this mean it can draw if necessary. I email into Vintage and they had a new one over to me the next day. They are only an hour drive from my shop in reality, but they should still be commended for getting that part out the door the same day as my question came in. So new on goes on and we add a heat shield just for good measure just to make sure that won't be a problem in the future.

We go to charge the system and two of the high pressure lines start leaking. Turns out the local shop didn't use the right dies in their machine when crimping these lines. Everyone there knew that they had the equipment to crimp AC lines but not everyone knew the procedure. It wasn't malicious and they gave me free hose to replace the bad parts so I was only out the ends to get it re done. And time but again that's my problem, not the customers. Turns out their machine was too big to crimp the 130° bends so I had to go visit a friend in Bastrop (45 minute trip one way) to use his tool to do it. I learned a bit about the "Lizard Skin" spray in insulation and sound deadened as well as some quick connect ends for the AC lines I'll be using in the future so thing won't be a problem ever again, so there's always a silver lining and we add more to the knowledge base.

I get back. My younger bother had moved the truck out of the way to work on his fiancees's car. I go to drive the truck back in the shop and............. rod knock............. at least that's what I'm pretty sure it is at this point from our inspection. Just sitting there, I have no clue what could have happened to make that start. I've never seen rod knock on an LS engine so there's a new one. We'll get her on the lift next week and take the pan off to confirm for sure.

Oh, and its been in the high 100's all week with 50-75% humidity in the area. Like I said, been one of those weeks. But we'll get it taken care of and next time **** hits the fan we can just reminder ourselves, "yeah, but it wasn't as bad as the summer of 18".

Back to the sauna, I mean shop.

Photo from us hoping it was a collapsed lifter or bad rocker arm and doing a compression test as well as bore scoping it from the top.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37736675_1595259677247424_7154581466846855168_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=7172ad4900f7491d722b576756fdca54&oe=5C11A42D

Later
-Russell

[GregWeld]

A LOT of LS motors have cold piston slap that's pretty dang awful.....

[rat_rod_russell]

A LOT of LS motors have cold piston slap that's pretty dang awful.....

This went from nice and quite to sounding like its going to knock and hole in something from one quick back out of the shop to the next driving it back in. Compression is gold all the way around too. I'll get the pan off and poke at the bottom and see if anybody moves first then get probably pull her out.

Thanks for the input! I need to head up north of Austin and see your toys one of these day.

-Russell

[GregWeld]

I need to head up north of Austin and see your toys one of these day.

-Russell



You better hurry Russell -- those guys are cranking! It won't be there very much longer!