TRACK-READY CHASSIS FOR 1967-72 C10S

AME Offers Performance Suspension For Your Classic Truck 1967-72 C10

By Ron Ceridono   –   Photography by Chadly Johnson

Early in 1970 Art Morrison could be found at any number of dragstrips behind the wheel of the VW pickup wheelstander named “American Flyer”—and fly it with a fuel-fired big-block Chevy in the bed. By 1971, Art Morrison Enterprises began as a one-man operation in a home garage focusing primarily on manufacturing drag race chassis along with related components, and, as it’s often said, the rest is history.

- Advertisement -
02 Art Morrison Enterprises’ unique production process uses a mandrel tubing bender that results in a wrinkle free contour
Art Morrison Enterprises’ unique production process uses a mandrel tubing bender that results in a wrinkle-free contour.

Read More: Orange Blossom Special Squarebody

Over the years Art Morrison Enterprises’ product line expanded most notably by pioneering the high-performance, bolt-on chassis market, which began with the ’55-57 Chevy GT Sport chassis developed in 2002. Today, Art Morrison Enterprises can provide custom one-off chassis for almost anything with wheels, along with a complete line of vehicle-specific chassis, including ’67-72 Chevrolet/GMC pickups.

03 Mandrel benders use an internal die that fits inside the tubing
Mandrel benders use an internal die that fits inside the tubing (arrow) to make smooth bends.

Art Morrison Enterprises’ C10 chassis is based on 2×6-inch frame rails with bracing and crossmembers engineered to provide a significantly stiffer foundation when compared to the stock frame. As Art Morrison Enterprises’ president, Matt Jones, explains it, “The GT Sport front suspension was designed with higher load ratings in mind. Wilwood’s forged knuckle was the foundation primarily due to the bolt-on hub bearing. This type of bearing fits every wheel out there, unlike the spindle-type design. Compared to previous designs every material specification was increased. Control arm tubes are thicker and larger diameter, bushing diameter is used in the lower arm, the welded bosses in the crossmember are larger and everything is in double shear.” Jones adds, “the most notable change is the lower arm design.” The front inner control arm bushing is right at axle centerline, as a result all the lateral load is to that bushing and makes the overall design very stiff. Also, the rear bushing is placed far away to lengthen that lever arm—meaning that bushing doesn’t have to work as hard to control the forces, which means there’s less deflection under braking and cornering, not to mention longer bushing life.”

- Advertisement -

Read More: V-belt To Serpentine Conversion Kits

04 Another advantage of the mandrel bending is consistency
Another advantage of the mandrel bending is consistency—these are front crossmembers that will be cut to the proper length for specific applications.

A major focus of the GT Sport suspension design was driveability and what is best described as street manners. Jones points out, “The roll center migrates less than 3 inches during hard cornering.” That’s engineer-speak that means the point the chassis rotates around as the vehicle leans in a corner remains relatively constant despite the suspension’s movement; in other words, the vehicle’s handling remains consistent in the corners, eliminating the need for countless steering corrections. In addition, Jones tells us the suspension’s camber gain is aggressive enough to make any truck handle well, which is another way of saying the tires’ treads stay planted to the pavement when cornering, providing the best possible grip. All these factors can be summed up by saying the GT Sport chassis’ handling characteristics will be very predictable in any situation.

05 Like the crossmembers frame rail sections are also mandrel bent
Like the crossmembers, frame rail sections are also mandrel bent.

To complement the GT Sport front suspension, Art Morrison Enterprises’ offers the tried-and-true rear suspension combination of a 9 inch rear end housing with a triangulated four-bar and coilovers. Also available is Art Morrison Enterprises’ sophisticated Multi-Link independent rear suspension (see “Riding on a Cloud” story in the Oct. ’22 issue of CTP).

06 Depending on the chassis the front and rear frame sections may be built separately
Depending on the chassis the front and rear frame sections may be built separately.

Read More: New 1967-72 Chevy C10 Art Morrison Chassis With IRS Upgrade
Like the thousands of award-winning rides built by pro builders and home hobbyists, owners of ’67-72 Chevy C10 pickups can take advantage of the superior handling, improved ride quality, and lowered stance with GT Sport C10 chassis from Art Morrison Enterprises. It’s a bolt-in project with no welding required and the result will be performance car handling in a classic truck package. What could be better than that?

- Advertisement -
07 Here the 2x4 inch front section of a GT Sport C10 chassis has been welded to the 2x6 inch main frame rails
Here the 2×4-inch front section of a GT Sport C10 chassis has been welded to the 2×6-inch main frame rails.
08 Here the assembled frame rails are positioned in a precision jig so the crossmembers can be installed
Here the assembled frame rails are positioned in a precision jig so the crossmembers can be installed.
09 For adequate ground clearance the exhaust is routed through the frame rails and engine placement is optimized
For adequate ground clearance the exhaust is routed through the frame rails and engine placement is optimized so the oil pan is flush with the bottom of the frame.
10 The frame’s torsional rigidity is ensured by the addition of the 2x4 inch center X member
The frame’s torsional rigidity is ensured by the addition of the 2×4-inch center X-member.
11 To accommodate a variety of gearboxes the transmission mount is adjustable
To accommodate a variety of gearboxes the transmission mount is adjustable.
12 Art Morrison Enterprises’ triangulated four bar eliminates the need for a Panhard bar
Art Morrison Enterprises’ triangulated four-bar eliminates the need for a Panhard bar and provides excellent forward bite, lateral stability, and anti squat geometry.
13 Starting with Currie Enterprises housings Art Morrison Enterprises installs the axle tubes housing ends and brackets in house
Starting with Currie Enterprises housings, Art Morrison Enterprises installs the axle tubes, housing ends, and brackets in-house. The Strange coilovers mount to the tubing structure above the housing.
14 GT Sport rack and pinion power steering is Art Morrison Enterprises’ design with a 17 5 1 ratio
GT Sport rack-and-pinion power steering is Art Morrison Enterprises’ design with a 17.5:1 ratio. It has a firm valve design that provides excellent road feel.
CTP JULY 2023 AME C10 Chassis IFS 15
This front crossmember installation is typical of the quality construction found on all Art Morrison Enterprises’ chassis.
16 Components like control arms are assembled in CNC created precision jigs and fixtures
Components like control arms are assembled in CNC-created precision jigs and fixtures.
17 Each and every AME chassis variation requires a unique fixture
Art Morrison Enterprises is a busy place. Each and every AME chassis variation requires a unique fixture.
18 GT Sport front suspensions feature forged aluminum Wilwood spindles with integrated modular bearing assemblies
GT Sport front suspensions feature forged aluminum Wilwood spindles with integrated modular bearing assemblies.
19 The upper ball joint cups are completely CNC machined from billet
The upper ball joint cups are completely CNC machined from billet—the ball joints are C10 designs for high load capabilities and the coilovers are from Strange Engineering. Not shown is the three-position adjustable anti roll bar with adjustable end-links.
20 substantial support provided for the upper coilover and control arm mount
Note the beautifully executed and substantial support provided for the upper coilover and control arm mount.
21 Made from billet aluminum the steering arms are a bit shorter than most to speed up the steering
Made from billet aluminum, the steering arms are a bit shorter than most to speed up the steering and also to make room for 15-inch wheels.
22 The 62 5 inch front tread width facilitates the proper scrub geometry
The 62.5-inch front tread width facilitates the proper scrub geometry and allows the use of dished wheels.
23 This GT Sport chassis with Multi Link Independent Rear Suspension
This GT Sport chassis with Multi-Link Independent Rear Suspension was assembled by the crew at MetalWorks—the number 1 AME dealer.
24 the AME chassis will deliver a C10 GT Sport chassis to your door
Crated up and ready to go, the AME chassis will deliver a C10 GT Sport chassis to your door.

Sources

Art Morrison Enterprises
(800) 929-7188
artmorrison.com

MetalWorks Classic Auto Restoration
(541) 341-3372
metalworksclassics.com

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Classic Truck Performance

Steele Rubber 1955-1959 Chevy Task Force Master Cylinder Access Holes

By “Rotten” Rodney Bauman   -   Images by the Author When...

A New Approach to Building an Old 1971 Chevy Truck

By Fuelish Media You hear the term “back in the...

Speedway Motors’ 1968 C10 Build Part 2: Chassis & Suspension

By Joe McCollough   -   Images by the Author In the...

Paul Close’s Y-Block Powered 1956 F100 is Layered with Custom Cool

By Chuck Vranas   -   Images by the Author As the...

Old Anvil Speed Shop Increases Our 1948 Chevy’s Voltage With XS Power

By Rob Fortier   -   Photography by Taylor Kempkes For as...

Josh Bentley’s Vini’s Hot Rods 1983 Chevy Squarebody C10 With a Roadster Shop SPEC Chassis

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by NotStock Photography Back in...
More Classic Truck Performance

Pete Rappoccio’s ’54 Chevy 3100 Swag Custom Ride

By Scotty Lachenauer   -   Photography by the Author Glenn Richards...

Rick’s Tanks Builds Our ’64 Chevy C10 a Custom Fuel Tank

By Todd Ryden “Out in the West Texas town of...

Brian Downard’s ’72 C10 Started as an Empty Cab and a Dream

By Tommy Lee Byrd   -   Photography by the Author Motivation...

Smoky Mountain Nationals

A Growing Gathering of ’47-55 Chevy and GMC Trucks By...

The Collard ’79 Chevy C10

A True Multigeneration Family Affair! By Rob Fortier   -   Photography...

Classic Performance Products Brake Update for OBS Chevys

By Ron Ceridono   -   Photography By Taylor Kempkes In the...