How do you guys deal with a dinged up frame?

[chevynut]

Yup, stud puller/dent puller. Mine uses the "throwing star" consumables, so it doesn't leave a stud there when done. Heat, pull, twist, next..

Robert, do you think that would work on a frame with .100" thick metal? I am skeptical.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Yup, stud puller/dent puller. Mine uses the "throwing star" consumables, so it doesn't leave a stud there when done. Heat, pull, twist, next..

Cool stuff Robert never seen that before.

[chevynut]

I didn't pull all those parts off for the fun of it lol. I really am going frame off.

Problem is when you FINALLY convince yourself that you should go the C4 route, you'll have to paint it all over again.

[MP&C]

I didn't think the OEM frame was that thick, the two piece here seems to be about 14 gauge. Now I'll have to measure....

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Problem is when you FINALLY convince yourself that you should go the C4 route, you'll have to paint it all over again.

So you are saying your single shear design frame is not available as a complete rolling assembly already painted lol ?????? Sorry just kidding I couldn't help myself Laz...
All joking aside I am looking fwd to seeing how well the c4 front works with the stock leaf rear in Hutch 56.

[chevynut]

So you are saying your single shear design frame is not available as a complete rolling assembly already painted lol ??????

Actually it's a "semi-double shear" design since it has a solid 3/16" steel retainer between the two dogbones. I "fixed" the upper shock mounts by adding another plate to the frame to make it double shear, not that I feel it's needed, but to keep others who have a weak understanding of engineering from complaining. The only remaining single shear designs are the ones GM made.

I am looking fwd to seeing how well the c4 front works with the stock leaf rear in Hutch 56.

Me too

[55 Rescue Dog]

The front and rear dog bone bolts appear to not be the same size? It's pretty cool someone invented a new mount,
the "semi-shear" design. Also applied to the dropped toe rods, when going from 3 mounting bolts to just 2. Like tie rods, does moving the rear toe rods just a couple inches lower have no effect on bump steer?

[chevynut]

I didn't think the OEM frame was that thick, the two piece here seems to be about 14 gauge. Now I'll have to measure....

The GM spec on the frame is .090" thick or 3/32" (in the 57 specs). I think that's more like 12 gauge.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/56030.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/57034.htm

[chevynut]

The front and rear dog bone bolts appear to not be the same size?

I think your pictures of the bolts are a pretty deceiving. The difference isn't as big as it seems because one is a flange bolt and the other is not. The flange bolts have much smaller heads on them. That flange bolt uses a 15mm wrench and the same 12mm bolt with a standard head would take a 19mm wrench (~3/4"). You make it look like it's a 3/8" bolt or something.

No they're not the same size, but that doesn't mean the smaller one is inadequate. Do the stress calculations like I did and convince your self whether it's good enough or not. Also notice the larger bolt is 9.8 grade and the smaller one is 10.9. That's like the smaller one being grade 8 and the larger one grade 5.

It's pretty cool someone invented a new mount,
the "semi-shear" design.

I thought is was cool too , but it's called a "semi-double shear" mount ( I just corrected it above). The plate serves to help prevent the bolts from bending by supporting one with the other. They somewhat help share the load between the two bolts, and keep them from being so susceptible to potential bending stresses. I've been using this design for a few years now.

Also applied to the dropped toe rods, when going from 3 mounting bolts to just 2. Like tie rods, does moving the rear toe rods just a couple inches lower have no effect on bump steer?

What's going from 3 mounting bolts to two? The toe adjuster bracket? 2 bolts are just fine for that...why would you think otherwise? When the outer toe rod connection is lowered, so is the inner connection. Just about everyone does it this way.

If you want to discuss bolt strength, single shear vs double shear mounts, or toe adjusters start another thread please. This stuff is off topic for this thread.

[Rick_L]

My 2 piece frame is pretty consistently around .110" thick where I've measured it after cutting into it on the front crossmember and the area for the pocket kit for the rear spring mounts.

The bottom of my front crossmember had jack damage from placing the jack in the center of it. Zipped that part off, straightened it, and welded it back on.