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Car Forum / Antique and Collectibles / Studebaker / September 2005

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'54 Commander Frame Mods

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S2BAKER - 18 Sep 2005 18:25 GMT
Well, I'm one step further along in my Commander build. Next up- brakes
and the Phantom front suspension kit. I can't wait to see how this car
handles once it's done! -Will

Check out theses pics:

http://community.webshots.com/album/453747682GrpcCM
Jeff Rice - 18 Sep 2005 19:48 GMT
Like the X-member.
Ought to stiffen things up nicely.
On my Hawk frame i intend to move the rear spring perches inside the frame
rails to gain some rear tire room (toward the inside)...
Nice work!
Jeff

> Well, I'm one step further along in my Commander build. Next up- brakes
> and the Phantom front suspension kit. I can't wait to see how this car
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> http://community.webshots.com/album/453747682GrpcCM
S2BAKER - 19 Sep 2005 05:27 GMT
Thanks Jeff. It took a lot of time and duct tape to get it right! Have
you considered a four link setup for your hawk? From what I've heard
they are a lousy ride but I think airbags would soften things up a bit.
I'm sticking with the leafs/shocks in the rear and using the Shockwave
airbag/shock units up front with the Phantom frontend kit. I ordered it
with dropped spindles and will need a way to ajust my ride height when
facing parking lot/road hazards. Are you making those Chrysler intake
adapters yet? I'll be running a turbo charged R1 in this car and could
really make use of better airflow. I've already lowered the drivetrain
in the frame too add aditional hood clearance.
Mike - 19 Sep 2005 20:04 GMT
Jeff,

Look hard before you start cutting to move your springs inboard of the
frame.

My first thought was the same when installing my Quick Change rear end
into my Conestoga.  After looking at the spring angle, the frame angle,
change the spring angle (?)...etc., etc.,.  I figured I'd be adding
about 100lbs. "more", to the back of the car to make leaf spring
brackets strong enough, reinforce the frame enough, to hold everything
up...properly.

Four link....na, don't want to cut huge holes in the floor.
Four bar....na, want some adjustability.
Ladder bar...na, see above. Even bought these....but after holding them
in place under the car....wasn't happy.

Ended up using early (late 60's to early 70's) Chevy truck arms with
coil-overs.  Ride is great, bolted coil-overs to the axle, have
adjustability (in front bracket), rear sway bar bolts to the truck
arms. Wish bone keeps everything centered. Everythings tucked up nice
and snug about even with the frame bottom. "Not" counting the rear end,
the weight "addition" wasn't worth worring about, less than 30lbs.
Now, the rear end weight difference....!

Very happy with the setup.
Jeff Rice - 19 Sep 2005 21:15 GMT
Sounds neat...
If NASCAR can do it for decades, why not? <lol>..

"Mike" wrote...
> Jeff,
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Very happy with the setup.
 
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