Ever wonder what it takes to build a chassis from ground zero? Well, Old Anvil Speed Shop shared some of their knowledge in their latest video of chassis building tips.
Two masterminds behind very cool custom rides, Paul and Brandon walk us through their process filled with insider secrets. Take note, it is not simply bolting parts together like some might imagine. For this project, they are building a ‘62 Impala convertible for SEMA 2024 and doing things a bit different.
Top 5 Tips for Building a Chassis
Unibody Is The Way To Go
Forget those old X-frames. Paul and Brandon like to take things further than even your typical aftermarket ladder or perimeter style chassis – opting convert to unibody construction (like a modern car). They actually weld the chassis right into the car body, making it super stiff. “It seems to really, really be working so far,” says Paul, and we believe him. This thing is gonna handle like a dream.
Suspension Geometry is King
Starting with a parallel four-link in the rear and a front suspension Brandon designed, the suspension is geometry is key to the overall chassis design. This allows for the ride quality to be far superior, in addition to the handling. In fact, he called his brother Paul, who’s “big time in that NASCAR suspension,” to solicit insight into control arm loads and vibration.
Measure Twice, Weld Once
Tire size and suspension travel are where all the magic happens. Paul starts his CAD drawings laying out the exact tire dimensions. “We have to stick with that,” he says. They shoot for seven inches of travel front and rear, which means more than most other chassis builders can offer. Travel like this ensures proper clearances and a smooth ride, even on those crummy backroads.
Shock Placement and Air Bag Selection Matter
Where you put those shocks and what kind of air bags you use makes a big difference. They use a sleeve bag in the rear for more travel and a convoluted bag in the front because of the different load requirements. It is all about finding the right balance for optimal performance and ride height.
Laser-Cut for Precision
Old Anvil uses laser-cut components for their chassis. Paul designs everything in AutoCAD, so it has tight tolerances and a perfect fit rather than cutting and fitting the old-fashioned way. “It just snaps together,” says Brandon. This saves time and ensures accuracy, which is important when you’re dealing with suspension and steering components.
Bonus Tip
Caster and anti-dive. Paul’s emphasis on getting that right caster angle for stability is huge at high speed, and they also put in anti-dive so you don’t nose dive down when you brake – little things that make huge differences in the way this car handles.
And there you have it. Some serious chassis-building wisdom from the experts at Old Anvil Speed Shop. Check out their channel on YouTube for more updates in the ’62 Impala build and other awesome stuff, and look out for some shots of this car completed at the SEMA Show in our coverage this week. And remember, if you’re thinking of building your own chassis yourself, pay attention to each detail. It’s only the little things that add up to make a BIG difference.
