I just got my latest issue of Hot Rod magazine today (May 2003) and
there is an article about an outfit, Wheel to Wheel Powertrain that
utilizes late model C4 and C5 Corvette suspension components to upgrade
basically any full size frame type vehicle. The article details the
convertion of a '63 Split window Vette' but it is pretty much applicable
to anything. They do a pretty good job of telling you what they do and
what to look out for. In the background of one of the pictures I even
see an early (mid 40s?) Chevy pickup up on one of their lifts. Lots of
pictures in the article - should be on the newstands now.. They also
list a of web site for Wheel to Wheel www.wheeltowheel.net
Kevin '49 Chevy 3600 Wrecker '51 Chevy 3100
JohnHuntD@aol.com wrote:
>Hi Steve,
>
>I have a 1949 3/4 ton Chevy in my garage along with complete front and rear
>suspensions, brakes, wheels, and steering gear from a 1988 Corvette. I
>believe the latter is essentially the same "C4" Corvette suspension set-up
>that you have.
>
>I read an article in one of the hot rod truck magazines about Jim Meyers
>Engineering in Orgen installing a Corvette independent rear suspension in an
>early 1950's Ford. I called them and they said they only work with C3
>Corvette suspensions, and had nothing to offer for installing C4 suspension
>in my AD truck. They gave me the telephone number of and recommended a "Paul
>Newman" in Southern California; the woman who answered the phone at this shop
>was very friendly and said they install C4 suspensions only in 1955-57
>Chevy's and in C3 and earlier Corvettes if you ship them the bare frame so
>they can make the conversion with your bare frame in their jig.
>
>In short, I have not been able to find a source of any kit or information
>about installing a C4 Corvette suspension under an AD truck. Unless I can
>find a kit or any information from anyone on the oldtrucks list or elsewhere
>on the 'net, I plan to tackle the job myself and figure it out as I go. I
>plan to use the stock Corvette front crossmember since it has the locating
>points for both the front suspension A-arms, steering rack, and sway bar. I
>will build in LOTS of adjustability in the frame mounting points for the
>suspension pieces and the front crossmember so that when the job is done an
>alignment shop will hopefully be able to adjust for any alignment errors or
>mistakes I made in locating the mounting points.
>
>I hope to be able to use the stock C4 ransverse front and rear single-leaf
>springs, which may or may not be the right set-up for the weight of my fairly
>light truck in the rear, but with the 467 big block and 700R4 I'm installing
>in the front after I get the suspension converted.
>
>I installed a C4 suspension front and rear suspension about five years ago in
>a tubular street rod frame I built from scratch. My biggest question at that
>time and now is knowing what are the proper angles from horizontal of the
>front crossmember, the rear differential housing, and the rear trailing arms
>extending forward from the rear hub carriers to the frame. I went to a
>Corvette shop and eye-balled everything and tried to mount everything at
>roughly the same angle as on a C4 Corvette. If anyone out there knows the
>correct Corvette suspension mounting angles, or has any knowledge or
>experience of installing a C4 Corvette suspension under an AD truck, I'd
>greatly appreciate an e-mail to save me the grief of trying to figure
>everything out myself as I go.
>
>I'd appreciate your letting me know what you find as you tackle this project.
>Hopefully we can compare notes and learn from each other.
>
>Best regards,
>
>John Doak in Baltimore, MD
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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