meadowfield 2,570 #1 Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) Hi all, I know hoods change, front axles goes cast and trans goes to 2 piece... (probably more things) a few questions if someone can help? Does the frame stay the same from RJ-58 to Suburban 400 - whats the wheelbase? Frame changes on 551 to accommodate the 2 piece trans, does wheelbase stay the same? planning another project that I may or may not finish reminder of things I have finished: http://wheel-horse.co.uk/images/C4/c4_a.jpg http://www.wheel-horse.co.uk/images/Bendy/bendy1.jpg no promises though! Edited December 7, 2023 by meadowfield 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,837 #2 Posted December 8, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, meadowfield said: Does the frame stay the same from RJ-58 to Suburban 400 Because of the front axle mount changes, they are different. Edited December 8, 2023 by Pullstart 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #3 Posted December 8, 2023 I believe all the wheel base lengths are the same and if not they are all very close 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #4 Posted January 11 thanks for the replies so far, does anyone have any pictures of a bare frame 551? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,987 #5 Posted January 11 (edited) I can get a photo of my 400 burb frame without the trans attached, but it will be sometime tomorrow (Thursday) before I can post it. Edited January 11 by clueless Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,739 #6 Posted January 11 (edited) Here’s a picture of a Suburban 400 and 551 frame side by side. They both measure 32-1/2”. I can get you any more details if needed Here’s all the parts to assemble a 400 except the hood and transaxle Edited January 11 by oliver2-44 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #7 Posted January 12 21 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: Here’s a picture of a Suburban 400 and 551 frame side by side. They both measure 32-1/2”. I can get you any more details if needed Here’s all the parts to assemble a 400 except the hood and transaxle super helpful, have you any more pictures of the 551 frame? in particular the gearbox mount and a side view and the hood mounting. thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,739 #8 Posted January 13 I made a new transmission attachment plate fro my 551 frame based on this drawing I found on Red Square. I made one change which was to make the 2.5" bottom angle dimension 2.75" and the top of that angle have a .250 flat section. If I had to do over I would make it 3" with a .500 flat at the top The original design did not have bushing on the clutch rod, but I'm adding them to compensate for wear on the clutch rod at the narrow angle side area. With the original dimension of 2.5" the (unshown) hole for the clutch idler rod is very close to the edge. I will get a dimension on the clutch rod hole in the next day or so. The back plate is 1/4" and the sides are 1/8" The original frame design did not have these bushing on the clutch rod. I'm adding them to compensate for a worn area on the clutch rod where it went through the thin frame side angle 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #9 Posted January 13 15 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: That is some proper reinforcement and very clean welds. Excellent work! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,739 #10 Posted January 14 22 hours ago, sjoemie himself said: That is some proper reinforcement and very clean welds. Excellent work! My welder nephew gets the credit, mine dont look like that. 2 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #11 Posted January 22 On 1/13/2024 at 7:47 PM, sjoemie himself said: That is some proper reinforcement and very clean welds. Excellent work! I've got the steel cut - have you any pictures of the original chassis with mounting for the gearbox and clutch? thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #12 Posted January 22 1 hour ago, meadowfield said: I've got the steel cut - have you any pictures of the original chassis with mounting for the gearbox and clutch? thanks Does this help? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #13 Posted January 23 17 hours ago, wallfish said: Does this help? perfect! I didn't know there was a plate too! thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #14 Posted January 23 (edited) have you any side on pictures of each side? - sorry to keep asking.... this is where I’m at Edited January 23 by meadowfield 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #15 Posted January 23 2 hours ago, meadowfield said: perfect! I didn't know there was a plate too! There were 2 different styles of frames they made. You don't need to add that plate in the front if you add the sides like oliver posted in his pics. I was just trying to show you the clutch bar as it's the same place for both syles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #16 Posted February 9 Thanks for the help so far, I now have a frame that will take a 2 piece transmission. here’s a 400 beside for comparison. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #17 Posted February 19 (edited) Making the steering quadrant…. I think it will work! Edited February 19 by meadowfield 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
