Let's Build a Chassis Jig

[@Moronicsmurf]

Ah tip for anyone that hates leveling stuff that are large and painful.. get a laser level.. Stick the laser on a stand a couple of meters (yeah im swedish) away from the frame.. Make a small stand that holds the receiver.. Stick the reciver on a corner, raise it till it beeps, move to opposite corner, raise it till it beeps, continue till it beeps equally all around.. you are done.. Yes laser levels is expensive.. so is a welder, a frame jig, a plasma and building a car from scratch.. when not using it, lend it to your wife hanging picture in your apartment, watch her try to figure out why laser level looks crooked in your house... enjoy.

[@johnparrish9215]

I'm looking forward to this build, I've never seen a tube frame built from beginning to end before.

[@thediddly]

I'm a fabricator myself, and will confirm that this is the right and as far as I know the best way to set a jig up, excellent setup since it's simple, and versatile since it's mobile. When you give up on the project for a year (been there), then you will thank yourself for have wheels on it

[@supersevenn]

this is a good "cheap" way of doing it....the "right" way of doing is too expensive for your home build or a one off build that's not a pro shop dedicated to building chassis

[@thediddly]

@@supersevenn agreed yes, the best cheap way for most average people to get access to.

[@Demonlord468]

@@supersevenn Its plenty "Right" as long as the finished product is sound and works as intended. And the only difference from this and big NASCAR or Dragster shops even motorcycle shops is they make their fixtures fully adjustable and strong enough to make hundreds possibly thousands of Chassis. a couple to a few a week for years at minimum. This guy isn't planning to make these on production so no need to go all crazy expensive. Thats the only reason big shops use big heavy expensive materials on their fixtures. If the dimensions are right and its welded correctly it's coming out right either way. Makes no difference.

[@NaveenKumar-oj7xh]

Well, Even if I don't live long enough to see Project Binky till the end, I have faith in your truck.

[@derekhobbs1102]

Will anyone live that long?

[@husseinelghandour7250]

Don’t say that naveen

[@made_by_chris]

1 year later. They just released episode 37. 🤣

[@drjimjam1112]

Really like your narration and ability to explain difficult things in a simple manor. Looking forward to watching the tube chassis come together. You’re doing a great job teaching me stuff. Thanks!

[@cristian6766]

God damn! Now i remember why I used to love this channel so much! There are hundreds of talented and very very good professionals on YT but not many can come close to you! Love it! Hope to see it finished! Love all of the small pick-up cars/trucks!

[@kermitbearden7142]

To make sure nothing changes put jam nuts on the leveling screws to lock them in place.

[@growlith6969]

I have a feeling on the back side of this whole lockdown thing there is going to be so many things that got done that never had a chance. Personally its been a highly productive time when it comes to projects. Hope everyone is safe and doing the same.

[@tankstoys3034]

Thank you very much for bringing actual fabrication back to the channel! Look forward to seeing your progress.

[@fred1462]

Thankyou for filling this void, I’ve been chasing this info for ages

[@tonytully4943]

I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. I always appreciate how you will emphasize when certain aspects are very important and others have leeway. Some of the things you show also let me know that I am heading in the right direction. So often I have found 10 people that do the same thing 10 different ways and swear that only theirs is right

[@johnbladen4931]

Thank You for this Justin. It is nice to watch something on You Tube, that has been done by a Professional, that knows their Stuff and can also Talk rationally. JB

[@msturtev78]

Very excited to see you back at building and can’t wait for the next vid. Right there, in this video is the guy that I subscribed to years ago when I got my first tube bender and I spent many hours watching you in your little 2 car garage sharing your expertise with all who were inclined to watch and learn. Hope you realize how many people you help, it surely is appreciated on my end. IMO, this right here is where you shine the most on YT. Thanks bro, keep em coming!

[@jimfisher3372]

Love the video, working with a temporary jig currently and plan to build my own in the near future. One suggestion before you go too far. Raise the front cross member so the lower control arms are parallel to the jig. This will change your track width on the front and might help with the Camber in the front.

[@jesperwall839]

Jim Fisher Exactly my thoughts 👍

[@Matt60546]

You're the best, honestly, best channel for learning how to do hardcore car building stuff

[@cbdrumsj]

Just wanted to say, your videos are great and have got me to start welding! I welded a little in High School, and did a shitty exhaust years ago. But, now I’m actually getting into it, so thanks!

[@christiandelatour2140]

I have been brainstorming over how to go about this for the last 6 months. This is one of the few and also the best video on how to go about this on the entire world wide web. I'm looking into stitch welding and streghtening a chassis. This might be overkill but thanks a bunch dude!!!

[@bobsmith1101]

A True Master. Well spoken, Well presented.

[@teilalawon4587]

You sound like a great commentator! Nice voice and great job!

[@thedoingnotthedone]

That's a really nice middle ground between the ones that look like a bridge for tanks to drive over and chalk on the floor. Lots of great little tips and features. Thank you!

[@ClearWater7.62]

K series for simplicity and saving weight. Reliable and huge after market support.

[@TheFabricatorSeries]

I am the aftermarket support.

[@ClearWater7.62]

@@TheFabricatorSeries haha.. 👍🏼wish i had your skills. Go K series!

[@Equiluxe1]

Interesting, I have a Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian which I purchased new in October 2018. Over the past week I have been thinking about moving the rear axle back a few inches and removing the rear overhang, why they cannot build the things right in the first place I do not know, but with a load in the back the weight is to the rear of the axle. I have done a few Ford transit trucks in the past to make car transporters putting about two and a half foot into the chassis but I had my workshop then (I am now retired) which had a lasered leveled floor now I only have my garage so a jig is going to be a must.

[@WalrusPowder]

I'll likely never do this, but your knowledge and way of explaining everything is just so enjoyable to watch. I can't wait to see this project finished!

[@sl077766]

Funnily enough I had to build a chassis jig recently for my mid engined V8 Beetle project but as I only have a small garage it needs to be moved constantly. The top is 2" x 2" box with 2" x 2" spacers approx. 10" long underneath with a third layer bottom also of same box, along with various cross pieces all fully welded on a 5" square 1" think steel table. It's flat, square heavy and moves very nicely :D Really enjoy your vids so please keep them coming!

[@justion337]

Awesome! Anywhere I could follow the build? I'm a VW guy with an '80 scirocco. When I finish my 2.6L w/ Weber DCOE powered '73 Opel GT, I'll either build a Locost(I see your avatar) or I'll convert the scirocco to rwd. I have a built VW 2L 16v with a RWD Motorsports bellhousing and mustang T5 waiting for a home.

[@jdwisdom9433]

Hi! I actually figured this all out about a year ago over a week or so time. Think of all the paper and brain juice I could have saved by simply watching your vedio. Thanks, JD

[@mattpolitzer2920]

Justin, I just wish you lived less than the 4 hour drive from San Diego. I'm about to tackle a full custom build at my home shop for a close friend on a 49' Chevy Fleetline Deluxe with C-4 IRS and 02' C-5 Front clip. You are always inspirational and a top tier educator. Thanks for putting out the most intelligent, technical and creative content for all of us interested in metal fabrication during this time of forced hibernation.. Regards, Matt P. in Imperial Beach. Stay Healthy!

[@MattFitnessCoach89]

My doctor recently told me that jogging could add years to my life. I think he was right. I feel ten years older already. A joke during this hard time we are going through. Keep smiling world!

[@cristian6766]

Matt, mate! Great joke! Love it :D

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Cardio is the bedrock of my mental and physical health. Ain't none of us getting younger!

[@kcscustom9759]

Man I can’t wait to see the next part of the project! Since I got into fabrication building a custom tube chassis is something I’ve always wanted to learn more about and eventually do myself so very cool that you are doing a video on it!

[@dubCanuck1]

Glad to see you back building things that got me subbed to the channel to begin with. Looking forward to the next one.

[@supersevenn]

agree...i stopped watching when he got away from builds

[@johnmathews3027]

Very nice work. I've been a fabricator for 25 years, And I built a few chessies, your smack on the mark 👍

[@jeffp.1587]

Doing builds like this is the reason why I like watching. I started watching with the 8.8 build! Keep up the great content!!

[@jcnpresser]

I’m so pumped to see this series! Going to awesome no matter what engine you put in it, it could be a pinto engine, a Buick nailhead, old flat head, it’s still going to be cool. Those little trucks never got the respect they should’ve, make awesome mini trucks!

[@TxJonathan]

Please make build series on this, I'm super interested in where this mighty max is going

[@aaronriedel3882]

Every time I watch one of your videos I gain some sort of information that I didn’t know prior. I can’t wait to see the final product of this awesome build!!!

[@nicknesler]

Hell yeah, I'm looking forward to this build.

[@Ryan-dz3jo]

Nice work and you've done well to take a complex process back to the very critical steps, not easy to do.

[@morgansword]

Your method is tried and true and I can't tell you that my way is better cause its long gone now and in someones yard rusting by now as that was twenty plus years ago. Method was jigging the axles and building it from there as it is definitely different and with everything done, It was one fine ride for absolutely sure as I mocked up the engine, and other driving gear. I got my ride hight from the coil overs and the ladder supports. I had the two shock per corner and then for the terrain dialed in my camber and caster and the whole thing piece by piece took form and it was a thing of beauty with it assembled... No batteries included

[@hondafreak8613]

You have to fabricate you own lower control arms! Love the suspension fabrication

[@davidmemos1025]

I say wow! I want to stuff an Audi 4.2 Quattro into a VW bug and other than the fancy tools you made this look relatively easy. Excited to apply some of your knowledge, thank you!!

[@joejaber276]

Thank you for the lesson on how to build the chassis jig I have been looking for plans on how to build your own chassis.

[@ramenhausten]

You just made my thesis life so much easier bless ya mate !!!!

[@brandonwytaske9432]

Pro tip on leveling anything with jack screws. Make all adjustments to the screw jacks by measuring diagonal. Level can than be verified by measuring across the width or length. The removes the dependent variables in your adjustments by screwing up your lengthwise level by fixing widthwise level. It's also useful to know your thread pitch. Knowing that a 1-8 will change height 0.125" per revolution will help you make that 1/16 of an inch change a lot faster.

[@youtube-handle-are-a-joke]

I'm more of the buy a used frame table kind of guy, I particularly like the Celette kind. It's super stout and versatile, it can be had for cheap then you just have to fab the attachments. Then again I have cars on our 2 jigs all year round.

[@jamiegoodson950]

I will probably never have to do this procedure but an Awesome video. Learning is knowledge.

[@id744]

Factory scissor jacks are amazing for leveling jigs, frames, etc. Just snag 4 from the salvage yard.

[@patrickmontgomery6353]

Totally looking forward to this. Also looking forward to all the hater comments when you put something oddball in it for power. If nobody ever did anything different, we'd still be using horses... Keep it up!

[@jamesmulanax1424]

Thanks for the helpful video... I have always wanted to build a new frame and suspension for my old truck. This is the first video that I have found that address the use of a jig to support everything rigidly. I am curious to what you do to address heat distortion while final welding the jig?

[@graemesmall6506]

Really looking forward to this build....Thank you for your time and sharing it with us.

[@leslieforster1774]

Brilliant! Now I need a cnc plasma cutter!!!

[@chriso1373]

This has potential to be your best series yet. Keep up the great work dude.

[@guillermonieri4203]

I am looking forward to a great project. You are a great teacher. Thank you.

[@wint3rsmith42]

Only things I've done slightly different are a couple of diagonal braces to hold squareness and some spray paint round the feet so I know to recheck level if it gets knocked or nudged and it doesn't make much difference if you're careful anyway. I also made mine a bit higher off the ground, about 18" so I could get all round it while working on chassis. Great build and a great video, looking forward to the rest. It's been years since I've done anything like this and now I'm wanting another Land Rover. I'm gonna blame you when my wife finds out what m doing.

[@petej536]

Looking forward to this from Lockdown in the UK stay safe and take this seriously stay safe!

[@mback12000]

Good first step is to check that your level tool actually reads accurately. Turn it both ways and make sure it reads the same. You'd be surprised how many levels are not calibrated.

[@jasoncampbell4723]

MiniTrucker For Life Brotha'!!! I'll come hold the camera for you, I'm local and don't have The Roma, I also work across the street. Very excited to see this build,

[@joshcrz]

Good to see that you have a chance to build something for yourself 👍👍

[@mrrberger]

To save some yoga moves later, you can add the scribed centre line on the frame now. A tab front and back for an under or over slung string line adds double functionality. Keep up the good work.

[@450sxkoupe]

I'm really stoked to see that your not using the usual ls, jz, rb or sr20 motors...so are we talking vh45, vk56, or maybe the 1uzfe from Toyota? I look forward to seeing progress on this build even though the video is already 6 months old

[@5thgearouttahere]

Pumpin' out the hits man! Excellent.

[@VorboteDesKrieg]

Do a Mitsubishi 6g75! They come in non mivec and mivec. The latter having the ability to make over 300hp and tq at the wheels with a simple tune!

[@olliewalker6406]

I was really happy to find this video, as I really enjoyed your welding videos.

[@eddyoddrod]

Great explanation. Simple, nothing extra.

[@spraybomb1]

“RP” wants his level back. Very informative video. Nice work!

[@spraybomb1]

Oh hell....just rewatched and noticed all the names on it, lol. That thing has been passed around more than a soggy joint at a Phish concert!

[@kaceyk2171]

Yessss! This is exactly what I need to see. I want to 305 and eventually 350 swap my 92 integra coupe.

[@mr.renovator4859]

Great job! Maybe also test level with cross laser level, same as in building constructions?

[@MrNside]

I'm a carpenter. I Like everything in this video except the leveling instruction. Jumping all over the place with the level will just leave you chasing the bubble forever. 1st, pick a corner support to start with. In this case because it's free-standing structure, it doesn't really matter which support, but one close to an outside corner. This corner will never move up or down (Z), but make sure any other support can move up or down in relation to it. Then use the level to span in each direction from your starting corner to the next support in each direction (X and Y). Get those two closest supports perfectly level with the starting corner support. Remember, do not ever move the starting corner. You might have to adjust other supports to keep the frame from flexing too much. Once the 2 closest supports are level with the starting corner, use the level to span between those supports and the next closest supports. Do not adjust the two supports you already leveled, only the next 2. After that section is level, do it again for the span between the next supports to the 2 you just did. Keep doing that until you meet at the opposing corner support from your starting corner. If everything went well, that last corner should be able to adjust to be level from both closest supports at the same time. If not, either your level sucks, you screwed up, or your frame flexed a little during adjustment. In any case, it should be a lot closer than it was when you started, so flex or mistakes are less likely a second time. Go back to the starting corner and do it again. Double check as you go with a second level if you have one. After the second go, it should be perfectly level. Now triple check it really quick between each support. Now, get some spray paint, spray around each foot leaving a shadow of each foot on the concrete, and spray the all-thread where it goes into the bracket on the frame. Now any time you have to lower/move the jig, you can put it right back where it was using the paint on the concrete, and be able to get really close to level using the paint on the allthread. Always check it afterward, but you should be really really close. All of this should only take 20 minutes or so. Even less if you use a laser level to start, but always fine-tune with a good beam level. I work with wood, and if I can adjust beam-posts in a basement to get a 2,800sqft house perfectly level after it's been framed in less than an hour, you can get a relatively small steel frame with no weight on it perfectly level in a fraction of the time.

[@ericjon262]

Awesome video! This is on my to-do list for the next stupid build I want to do, I plan to build my own car based on a 60's F-1 car.

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

Mitsubishi truck? No problem 4g63T all the way 👍

[@buckstarchaser2376]

How many weeks of lockdown before your truck build becomes a technical build? haha I've always wondered how to build a vehicle from the ground up, so this is an interesting series.

[@DCweldingAndArt]

Your facial expressions hahaha funny and talented guy justin, doing good for living in "CoronaLand" ide say! This was JAM PACKED with cool info, I just dont even know what to say, I love how passionate and professional u are. Always somethin different

[@kyleprong395]

Love that square you made. Id totally buy one

[@revolutionautoworks777]

Ultimate street truck...(im interested), dream build..(im already interested), something different for an engine ...(still hooked) mitsu mighty max (hell yeah), tube chassis..(this is starting something epic). I am going to be waiting for every video involving this build. long story short, sounds cool.

[@godlistenheaven600]

Loved the start!

[@prancstaman]

I definitely will be watching. How you do your chassis jig and how I do mine, well they are totally different. Mind you what I build is smaller toys, LOL. Guess it comes from the training between you and me. For my chassis jigs, all I need is a straight line from front of the frame, that goes to the rear of the frame, past each end about a foot, and on center only. Doesn't even have to be level either. You on the other hand, have to be level with the ground and are using the wheels as main reference points, all four of them. Interesting.

[@TheJudge10tpt]

this was awesome, really learnt a lot from this and will use this in the future, cheers

[@gwg240]

perfect quarantine season build

[@jacobbeatty1608]

Very excited to see this progress!!!

[@damiansgaragebuilds7663]

This is great!! I saved this video, gonna need it when I finally get around to the lambo replica. I have a factory five GTM Chassis with the Z06 engine and suspension with the Porsche transaxle mated up that I need to modify for the Countach body.

[@ericschein1857]

Great info, and perfect timing for me

[@jonathan1989torres]

Quality in build and explicacion, like always this is why i love this channel.

[@richardmogel2186]

I have an 84 d50 awesome to see this

[@neiloutten1586]

Hi. It looks to me as though the bottom of your front sub-frame is going to be dragging along the road. What am I missing please? If it comes up and the track control arms become more level won't that increase your track width quite a bit?

[@carlosjohnson9459]

Yea it will do that i hope it gets addressed in the next video im kinda scratching my head on this

[@MultiDodgedude]

This is great info, I am fixing to build a new rock crawler, while the precision doesn't need to be there, it will be good practice for when I build my dakota convertible street rod.

[@rx7cl]

This is pimp,I subscribed to your channel a few weeks ago.great work.ive got an 80 Rx7 Savannah,been lugging around for 11 years.been working on it here and there.seems the faster I go, the slower I go.lol.great work,and motivation....be kool 😎💯👊

[@ltsgarage7780]

Great idea. I did basically the same thing on my welding table.

[@grimwurks]

ever though of using a laser level? the spinning kind they use for putting in suspended ceilings

[@nicofonce]

So glad I found this channel. Subbed. Tons of experience, awesome skills. Love it.

[@paulkremneff8033]

As always, a lot of great tips that you give. Can i pls give you one that will save you a lot of time When levelling, start at the front, then work down one side and to the back, you will find then the rest should take car of itself as the front and back will be level on all 4 corners on the same plane, doing each cross bar 1st is counterproductive as yeah they could be all level, but not on the same plane and you end up chasing your tail for (as you said) a few hrs! Keep up the great work

[@danielerickson4893]

I'm just watching this because I'm interested in welding, fabrication, especially within automotive (possibly as a future career), but hey! at 17 I just got my first vehicle a week ago, it's a 1989 Dodge Power Ram 50 (Mighty Max)!

[@peterhatch1583]

Thank you for the video ! Can I use 3x2 tube for the main frame ?? I would like to build a frame to take square body wagon v.w with ls1 use corvette c4 Suspension narrowing the rear I already have the cross member front built

[@garethmcgregor1621]

This is going to be great! Thanks for doing it, can’t wait to watch and learn from you.

[@budgetoutlaws9978]

I built a different kind of chassis Jig when I sawed the front end off my Porsche 914. It was a lot of fun. I sure appreciate your videos, I don't feel like I'm in the dark. Although now that I have the car back together, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the Jig...

[@idriwzrd]

This is excellent! Time to make some lemonade, boys! I've been wondering what I'm going to do with my next two (or more) weeks off. Might be just the time to build that Locost I've been trying to get around to for way too long.

[@coalblack]

Hell yeah man, great vid!! The foot holders made the whole thing. Thanks for all your good vids and tips!

[@Cameron.....]

Looking forward to this series. 👍

[@waynenocton]

And, the videos mentioned at 1:20 were totally awesome.

[@Ic9us]

Very educational. Great clip

[@databanks]

I'll probably never build anything like this but the info is still nice to have - who knows what else it can be adapted to?

[@UzumakiGarage]

Should you bolt the jig to the concrete floor now? or at least paint the concrete around your levelling legs so you know if the jig has been bumped to an un-level state?

[@peterhatch1583]

Plus I like the chop saw can you tell me about it please