We Might Delete this Video (our chassis engineering secrets)

We've never opened up about what makes the custom chassis we build ride and perform so well. But, we think all of this should be common knowledge in our industry.
In this video we'll be using the '62 Impala Convertible we are building for SEMA as an example to show how we go about setting up a chassis for the best results possible. We get into everything from Panhard vs Watts Link to bump steer and anti-dive to the aftermarket parts we choose.
Use the chapters below if you're looking for specific information or just sit back, relax and soak it all in.
Chapters
00:00 What to Expect
01:11 Project Background
02:50 Frame Design
03:05 Rear Suspension
03:53 Why Tire Size Matters
04:17 Suspension Travel
05:40 Airbag Choice
06:45 Laser Cut Brackets
08:32 Chassis Rigidity
10:09 Exhaust Routing
11:09 Raised Trunk Floor
12:04 Panhard vs Watts Link
13:44 Support for Dual Batteries
14:13 Front Suspension Design
14:28 Rod Ends vs Bushings
14:47 Lower Control Arm Design
16:17 Front Crossmember Design
17:03 Best Steering Rack?
17:27 Front Airbag Clearance
18:02 Spindle Choice
18:36 How to Avoid Bump Steer
19:30 Where Alignments Go Wrong (Caster)
21:05 Anti-Dive
22:45 What Did You Learn?

[@jettob]

This is one if not the most informative videos on classic car frames, components, and most importantly the “why”. Really nice job fellas and thank you on behalf of everyone that learns from your shared experience.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

That means a lot! Thank you.

[@Mrf0rtyfive]

This is some of the most beautiful work I’ve seen. Great job men.👍

[@leoalmond4967]

Just a 48 year old enthusiast here that loves to see how it all goes together. What I really enjoyed on this video was some of the theory behind why you set it up the way you do. Makes sense to me. Other guys are just slapping parts together without that engineering mind. It’s the why that makes the what work. Great job. Algorithm directed me here. I had the opportunity several years ago to have a private Saturday tour of the Detroit Speed Shop and was amazed at the engineering that goes into their stuff. I’m happy to see you incorporate the same if not more degree of engineering in your entire build.

[@porticojunction]

Nice to hear somebody who actually understands suspension dynamics and front end geometry. Beautiful execution, thanks for the "secrets".

[@tenthplanet3342]

Love your take on open source, but hearing your secrets simplifies a lot, and shows attention too what matters.

[@racingdatasystems3708]

Wait? You didn’t wait until the last minute to build a SEMA car? No Bluetooth driveshaft? 😂🇺🇸🏁

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

No bluetooth driveshaft this year! Although we've still got our work cut out for us to finish it in time.

[@derekhobbs1102]

I was going to say they are about 3 months early for a SEMA build.

[@chiefdenis]

😂😂😂

[@jasonmajere2165]

Omg stop with the intro…Im already watching the vid

[@TheRealSykx]

Skip the intro and quit whining

[@deckerlindner5030]

I'm an engineer working on trying to get into the hot-rod chassis industry and I gott say, this was very informative. Love this type of content! Thanks a bunch for sharing!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Very cool! We wish you the best of luck and we're glad the video was helpful

[@geraldstanley9692]

I love the engineering and quality of the fabrication on this. Also the most concise and accurate description of how to engineer bump steer out of your suspension.

[@davidmay3504]

This is one of the most informative explanations on steering geometry I've heard. I took Auto Mechanics in high school, which seems like 100 years ago now, and I've read and thought about, as well as noticed, SOME of that over the years. This was definitely more informed and concise than all I had come up with. And you guys are actually doing it. Hats off to y'all, keep this stuff up and I'll definitely be watching more.

[@biglakehotrods381]

Getting down to these details is what I love the most. These secrets could help us all build better and safer cars. Thanks for sharing!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

100%. You are welcome, and thank you for watching!

[@craigr]

See so many hot rod chassis built with a panhard bar placed wherever it 'looks good', or watts linkage used 'cause its better' with no mention of roll center! Great to see some sound theory going into a quality build!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We see that all the time too unfortunately, but all those details make a difference. Thanks for watching!

[@joewolf4483]

Great video ... I've studied racing suspensions and when you understand the principles it all makes sense ... lookin forward to more on this one ...

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

That's right! Thanks for watching, we've got lots more to come

[@pinshaw]

Having a chassis built for my 59 and this was really helpful to listen to and get a glimpse to your process. Thank you.

[@ChrisS-oo6fl]

It’s kinda funny how long it took the custom car builders to really start paying attention to standard concepts like setting bump steer, anti dive, roll centers, proper caster / camber settings. Still fairly primitive in understanding and implementation. I mean farmers have learned to grasp it in dirt racing. I see a lot of builders failing to understand dynamic caster camber curves, pin inclination, motion arm ratios, dynamic roll corners and weight transfer. Nascar and racers use panhard bars because we leverage the dynamic roll center changes as well as the loading and unloading of the RR. Something critical on circle track racing. 1/8 lateral movement is actually a lot on a street car going straight as well as the four bar locations. Also there’s nearly no/ zero net gain with bump steer. Adding scrub for stability isn’t really a logical or factual concept and is just an old fairy tail. The issue is that it’s nearly impossible to have a zero bump on both rebound and compression which is especially true for any offset style chassis. The chassis shown in the video has very little caster gain but this is something 99% of chassis experts fail to understand. I’m betting these guys never bumped that wheel and plotted the caster camber curves.

[@pokeynewsome2804]

Right? They make a video where they kinda catch up to modern standards and we're supposed to gush?

[@vandliszt]

Although, I may never be privileged to use any of the info I’ve learned here today it does in fact give me a proper perspective. This is like watching the process of a painter. True artisans. Thank you for the privilege.

[@tnoutlaw73]

I have been making my own bushing out of Delrin for years. You are very correct on using this material.

[@dc6233]

Very nice work guys, CAD has been a huge benefit along with testing new things. This channel will do very well...

[@pete540Z]

Your in-depth coverage of suspension geometry and theory got you a subscription. Great video

[@BUILTOFFICIAL]

the intro was perfect as was the title, thumbs up to the guy that made those decisions! Thanks for the vid guys!

[@nickbellinger1047]

learned heaps mate will never get a chance to use it but it's great to see professionalism like that, thanks

[@stevesolo16]

I'm glad people get to see the masters at Old Anval. It is really amazing to see what can be done with a old car.

[@patkimpston117]

Another awesome well produced video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Paul.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thanks, we appreciate the support!

[@TimberTrainer]

Sharing information helps everyone. Moving the industry forward allows someone else to make improvements that you can use in the future.

[@davefromfresno]

I really enjoyed your video. This is the first one of yours I ran across. Well done. Back in the 1980's, me and a friend ran a couple of Opel GT's on the autocross circuit. We made all our suspension bushings out of delrin. A great material. Thank you for the great information.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Wow, that’s pretty cool! You guys were ahead of your time. Thanks for watching.

[@jasonpeterson4639]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Wish I could find more information like this! Subscribed!

[@jamesyule18]

Fantastic. Lots of great information. Looking forward to seeing the finished car.

[@rona1144]

I liked hearing what I knew but learned more intricately the why. I appreciate the quality of the work shown. Subscribed.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We are glad it was insightful, thanks for watching and subscribing! Much more to come on this build...

[@dennishill6070]

A very well done and informative look at some - and again very well done fabrication work. Nice, nice nice

[@docmccrary5838]

Super informative. Thanks. Appreciate you both.

[@motorcopT2]

Man! I really appreciate this video! I have been so set on RS for my next build. But I really like the genuine spirit and openness these guys have. I just have to figure out what I want to build. My ‘37 GMC COE OR….❤❤❤❤

[@emecustomsforlove]

I just got to know your work now. I've already become a big fan!!! Congratulations, very nice work!!! Best regards, from Brazil - Mano eMe Customs

[@randomstuff3201]

Awesome video - I really like the explanation of how things work, and why you are doing it the way you are. Your design, fabrication, and assembly all look to be top notch, as is your attention to detail. Edit to add - If I win the lottery, I'm bringing you my '64 Riveria.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

I'd love to build a Rivi!

[@myvizn8387]

I'll be looking for this build at SEMA, looks awesome so far.!!

[@jimlathrop8603]

Great video, great build, great suspension design. FYI from an old timer, 55mph didn't come around until the '70s, before that most highways were 70mph. And States like Nevada and Montana didn't even care how fast you went on the open roads!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you! And yeah you are right about the speed limits... either way suspension technology back then just wasn't what it is today!

[@lagh84]

Your design and workmanship is very impressive. Great designers and fabricators.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you very much!

[@TheDragonlair68]

Thank you for revealing suspension information GOD BLESS

[@josequinones297]

Best video out by far guy's, learned so much from watching it. Hope you leave it up.

[@davidmitchell5638]

This is beyond words!! WOW THANK YOU 👏

[@bradenphillips2734]

Awesome vid, great info, always hard to find info on how to design your own front end with things like where to start, where everything should be mounted and setup, roll centers, etc so much appreciated for the info you's have shared in the vid 👍

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you! Glad it was informative for ya!

[@EveryTongue]

So fun to listen to you guys ❤

[@hellonwheelz3317]

Very informative video, and it highlights your attention to detail. I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to afford one of your builds, but this info helps us guys that will end up building our own.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We are glad it can be helpful! Suspension design, alignment, etc. can seem challenging until you get your head around it.

[@ryno6101]

This kind of information is out there but most people don’t understand it anyway . Have built several chassis since 70’s , the first book I read on suspension was Herb Adam’s , what a great place to start. ❤❤ I subscribed to watch future information ❤❤

[@Jeezey]

Great video. I love suspension geometry… I built a frame for my Coyote swapped 1950 Ford Sedan. 4Link with Mustang II front suspension. I reinforced the rockers and kinda did the unibody style. I’m using coilovers and running 4” of ground clearance.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Very cool. And we’re glad you enjoyed the video.

[@chriswalsh6970]

i love learning about chassis stuff please keep teaching thank you for this video

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

More to come!

[@absentbrainded]

"Kind of like a shopping cart.. That's why they call them casters". Dude, I never made the connection between caster and casters before. TY! LOL

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Once you hear it, it just clicks huh?!

[@50gary]

Caster(s) function as if the wheel is being pulled not pushed. Now it makes even more sense.

[@juanbrito-nina2877]

Great video! Gotta look at something like this for my 70 Nova...

[@jasonjimenez-cubas7886]

Wow that was great such nice work!!! Best of the best

[@brucewrandol]

Well spoken video. Great information. Thanks!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Glad you liked it and could learn something!

[@montycrain5783]

You should consider the Terry Satchell designed Truck Arm Satchell Link. Specifically designed for NASCAR Winston Cup Road Course/Road Race use. Fully triangulated it has no need for Panhard or Watts link. It also is very stable at high speed and nimble at low speeds. Generally the Truck arms are self explanatory and the upper arms are shorter, above the axle and parallel and connected directly above the axle mounts for truck arms. He also designed a very similar system for use in Desert Racing particularly the Baja 500 and 1000.

[@lanekennington6582]

Wow Thank You for this video!!! This Really reinforces my ideas behind the chassis I'm building for a friends S-10, Although I used the original front suspension from the firewall back is fabricated. It will also be unibody in the cab. It will have a full air ride suspension and a 4 link rear suspension. Again Thankyou for this. !!!!!!!!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

So cool! We’re glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@paulnewton943]

Great info thanks. Love the low down on why. All i can say is more please.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

More to come!

[@g_force3857]

So, I’ve got a 64 with full Ride Tech front, I’m having some issues and this is fantastic to watch and reinforce what I’m saying to my fab guy, I’d love to Unibody mine… Thank you for sharing your knowledge Good luck

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you.

[@JHartModelworks]

Scale model builders that do 3D printing would kill to get at those chassis design files. Very interesting and informative video.

[@lepus6511]

Hell I'd take just scaled down 2d prints I can copy with brass stock

[@ryanturner8318]

I didn’t even realize that it was a convertible impala. Looked like a K5 with a trunk. But that is a very nice detailed vehicle. Can’t wait to see more videos of it during the build process.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

haha yes it's a little tough to distinguish at this point in the build... but it will look like and Impala again soon.

[@paulwilkinson673]

Great video very informative. Thanks for sharing

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PullStartStables]

Cool stuff! Hopefully some day I’ll be able to use just a fraction of this info for my own projects!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thanks!

[@tommygunnz7154]

New sub. Enjoyed your video. I'm a big asphalt circle track guy. Building chassis algorithm must have brought me here. Cool stuff

[@markstephens190]

learned a lot Thank you !!

[@JohneeB]

Lots of good tips here, thank you!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you! We are glad it was helpful.

[@sshep7119]

What did I learn?....I learned that I need to stop up your shop and talk to you guys about a custom chassis. That's what I learned.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Come on by! Our address, contact info, etc. is on our website: oldanvilspeedshop.com

[@dextercarrie8131]

I notice a lot of bad customization chop companies on KZbin that run into problems from poor planning and create dangerous cars. You guys planned it out m, engineering the ease of assembly and designed detail clean.

[@GrandmaTDawggsCribb]

I don't know much, but it is beautiful. Thank you 😊

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We appreciate you watching and glad you liked it

[@renz1013]

As a you g filipino who plans to build his own owners type jeep some day, this video is very important specially for the type of application I want to place my jeep in.

[@planesofpaper]

Great video. Watching from New Zealand.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We appreciate it!

[@jcnpresser]

Most of it’s not secrets it’s mostly common sense, but people lack that these days. 😂 nice build guys! Super freaking cool!

[@JohnSmith-ps7wp]

Common sense was never very common.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We won't argue with you there!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

You'd hope! Ha. But thank you, we appreciate it.

[@derekrighter2580]

Very cool.....thank you very much !!!!

[@joejantzon]

Love all the work and agree with everything you covered…one problem stood out lol… next time hide the seam of the frame tubing to the inside, it doesn’t cover with paint or powder! 😜😊

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Good eye! We purposely put it on the outside because it welds to the rocker and is hidden. This way you don't see the seam.

[@rimelja]

Lots of knowledge bombs getting dropped in this video. Great work and great info!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

That was the idea! We’re glad you found it helpful.

[@brayanamador14]

Lotta knowledge in this one

[@sloqlap7822]

Fantastic video. I love seeing these techniques. I've always been curious to see how these methods can be applied in other applications like imports or hell even an EV since the box frame looks like it could hold a battery pack like a skateboard platform on a production EV does.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you! Yes, much of what we talked about can be applied to a wide variety of applications and use-cases.

[@terrykelley3913]

Great video! good information.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ScottDoten]

Amazing work! 👏

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thanks a lot!

[@briant5396]

The welds are just beautiful.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

The guys know what they are doing for sure. Thank you.

[@tonycarter240]

I have a 60 Ford Ranch Wagon , I am going to Air bag it can you suggest a supplier for the air sleeves for the rear and air bags for the front . Very informative video, I loved all the information coming through I found myself flat out with a pen writing things down

[@Arrowhead45x]

Great video! Care to share any insight on how you make your z connection? Just butt weld or do you add inner fish plates and rossett weld?

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We are sure there could be some discussion over this one! We single bevel and butt weld our joints using GTAW (Tig). We make sure that our joints are mitered so that the weld is actually much larger than the cross sectional area of the tube itself. A full penetration weld is always stronger than the base material. Our guys are make certifiable welds per AWS so we feel very confident about them. However, if you do not feel confident about your weld quality a backing plate or an additional plate is not a bad idea.

[@Arrowhead45x]

@@oldanvilspeedshop Awesome, thanks for the reply! I'm going to be extra cautious and add some inner plates to my frame build. My welding is just ok so I'll spend a little extra time smoothing some plug welds just for peace of mind.

[@andreasbeier2431]

Cool vid, guys, Regarding the intro though, I'm watching it, I get a hint to something interesting, get excited, the answer is getting cut off, and it irritates me slightly. Than that happens three more times and I literally wanna click off the Video and punch something. Horrible job lol. Thanks for the vid, it's seriously good, but please, please tone down the blue balling a tad or two. Cheers

[@tylerblanton365]

Very nice work guys

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you very much!

[@barrymonroy7138]

I'm really diggin 😎 those colors..

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

It should be pretty good!

[@justintupicruz6324]

Amazing video

[@kelleycoon2070]

I like the classic look of the old vehicles 4 or 5 inches off the ground no lower than that.

[@FullTiltMotors]

Good information here. Now how can I convince the domestic warden to allow you guys to build a chassis for my 92’ Typhoon and keep AWD

[@RetirementFund750]

I wish i could afford to get my frame done by you guys but I guarantee I can’t afford it so I’ll have to wait lol. Either way great work.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Well, give us a call if you ever get to that point. But thanks!

[@stevensmith1270]

what size tubing are you making the front control arms out of? any downsides you've found from the added caster?

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

We use 1.25" od x .120 wall on the lower and 1.0" x .120 on the upper. Only down side is the inside tire moves out more at the top with added caster. This could cause interference with the fender.

[@nawfdom]

16 years old and hope to have the knowledge you guys have one day!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

I started building cars when I was 15. Someday you will!

[@nawfdom]

@@oldanvilspeedshopBadass man! I’m currently getting my Gbody chassis done and it is not cheap getting it done by a shop lol… I want to learn how to do this type of work because I have lots of interest in this type of work and also so I can fab up some frames myself lol…Hopefully I can learn it one day!

[@projector7141]

Nice work

[@chrisbrown2174]

Looks great guys 😎

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you

[@thehotrodstation3313]

Nice work. We do this everyday as well. But love to see what others are doing. And learn a thing or 2. Its a passion,,,,,,,or sickness not sure yet..... to be determined. Hahahaha Subscribed! 🤘

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Probably both, but we love it too! Thanks for subscribing, we’ve got a lot more to come on this and other builds.

[@jasonhalstead2593]

Do you need shocks to go with the bags for that? If so, where do you bolt those?

[@AnnDee4444]

@12:31 Lowering the roll center creates more body roll. @20:19 Trail is what self-centers the wheel. Weight jacking depends on scrub radius. @21:25 Caster is unrelated to anti-dive.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

1. Lowering the roll center in our case does in theory create more body roll but it takes out the jacking effect which raises the center of gravity. This will essentially give us more grip in a corner. 2. Correct. Trail is created by the caster angle. Scrub also can help to self center. 3. Correct. However, the angle of the upper control arm increases caster as it is bumped which can help stabilize steering during hard braking and diving especially braking in a turn.

[@tababobi]

If the delrin joint is tighter than the heim why not use delrin at both ends, because of cost? Excellent video, thanks.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Cost and it leaving one end swivel allows a little more freedom. The Delrin side does create some resistance.

[@ray_s281]

Fantastic. I wouldn't call that a unibody, it's superior to a default "unibody". It's a "body welded to frame". Nice integration of the frame rails to the body. Thank you for educating us on the suspension geometry.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

True... Most traditional unibodies have a much weaker "frame" and rely more heavily on the body structure. But we didn't want to mess around when it comes to building a convertible with 1,200hp :)

[@ItsDaJax]

​@@oldanvilspeedshopIt wouldn't be too hard to tie into the body structure by tying into the trunk front wall, the firewall, where there would normally be a b-pilar, and depending on intentions, tie into a rollbar.

[@danmichael7506]

Thank you

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

You are welcome. Hope it was informative.

[@kevinhufford1064]

Beautiful work. I have been a mechanical engineer for almost 30 years and currently I am working in an industry where the majority of my parts are bent sheet metal or fabrications. If you want someone to put your designs into 3D SolidWorks, I will be happy to assist in a very cost-effective manner. I would sign any NDA or non-Compete you need.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thank you for the offer! We will let you know if we decide to take you up on that...

[@mikerandall1358]

this stuff is awesome

[@tonycarter240]

I have a 60 Ford Ranch Wagon , I am going to Air bag it can you suggest a supplier for the air sleeves for the rear and air bags for the front

[@ronbaer67]

1962 impala was made during a time with no speed limits, like during the days of the real cannonball

[@buildingbadazz6254]

Badazz work 😎!

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

Thanks!!

[@v.e.7236]

Curious why you prefer parallel links vs triangulated links in rear suspension? Been working myself up to re-do my current stock suspension and was considering the triangulated 4-link for my S-10 P/U.

[@ItsDaJax]

A triangulated 4link doesn't need a lateral locating device, which is why a 98-11 Crown vic has a watts link and the previous two generations don't. Or why S197s have a phb and sn95s don't.

[@oldanvilspeedshop]

For us the parallel links give us more room for massive 3 inch exhaust up over the rear. Also, we like the panhard for stability. There is a lot more side movement from flexing in a triangulated system.

[@gregquinn6827]

People think engineering goes from a to b to c in a steady and orderly way. BUT, Prototypes and radical customs undergo multiple stages of design development. You discover both the welcome and the unwelcome facts of the case as you go along.

[@marlondatahan7178]

How to address of the inside of the tube chasis will rust?