Mission
We want your classic to drive like new. We breathe life back into your worn out and tired frame!
At RR Frames / Backwoods Builds, we believe enjoyment can be found in hard work and pride of a quality product. We are the premier builder of modified Chevrolet frames and work relentlessly to provide our customers the best possible products and service for their classics. We aim to help you find more enjoyment in your classic car experience!
Why Frames?
There are so many aftermarket suspension components nowadays that it can be difficult to make a decision. At RR Frames our goal is to build frames for your classic that makes you want to drive it. I’ve seen so many scenarios where somebody builds or buys a car and it still doesn’t drive the way they would like it to. The steering is sloppy, the brakes are scary, always chasing suspension noises or drivability issues. It drives decent but you’re too nervous to take it on the freeway. The list can go on and on.
We want to build you a frame / chassis that eliminates all the reasons that keep you from driving your old car or pickup on a regular basis. With today’s technology advancing with newer cars we get spoiled with how nice our newer rigs drive, and it makes it easy to say “Oh, I’ll just drive the Equinox today”. If your classic isn’t fun to drive, you won’t drive it. You should be able to hand the keys to your spouse and not have to worry. Or take the family out on a roadtrip, no matter how many miles it is, and feel comfortable going 80 MPH on the interstate.
There are many great suspension options and chassis builders out there. If budget is no issue, then the sky’s the limit. But most people have a certain amount of money they can spend on their dream car and we feel the C4 Corvette suspension is the most bang for your buck. The C4 Corvettes were produced from 1984 – 1996 and they made a lot of them. Yes, the C4s were produced more than 20 years ago, but when done right it will make for an incredible driving experience when put under your old Chevy car or pickup.
Our Chassis
Our niche market allows us to focus on the vehicles below. We certainly aren’t limited to these vehicles but they are our specialty and our brand was built on servicing these vehicles. Our goal is always to make your classic feel and drive like new and our track record to make that happen is spotless.
The frames I build still use the front cradle that the C4 suspsension bolts to. The cradle will then bolt into the frame. Originally the engine mounts are on that cradle. Those mounts will need to be removed and the engine will now bolt to the engine mounts designed into the frame.
1955-1957 CHEVY CARS
Modified original 1955 – 57 Chevy Tri-5 frame to accept C4 suspension.
The small-block V8 changed the motorsports industry. The “Tri-Five” era dominated showrooms and races everywhere.
To start with we take your original frame, cut out the unnecessary pieces and crossmembers so you end up with clean frame rails with body mounts. We then sandblast the rails and bolt them on the jig. After that, all of our CNC cut metal pieces get bolted and welded on. We build new crossmembers and rear differential torque arm. When we are done with your frame, C4 Corvette suspension front and rear will bolt in, making it capable of handling tons of power, and will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face for years to come.
If you don’t have a good usable core car frame to start with, we can supply one for you – $500.00 for a split weld / two piece frame or $750 for a one piece / seamless frame. We prefer to use the one piece seamless frames (sometimes known as a California frame) because it just has a cleaner look compared to the two piece split weld frame rails, but can do either style of frame upon request. At RR Frames we can do as little or as much as you would like. We can build you just a modified frame, painted or unpainted or we can do a full rolling chassis. Please specify when calling or emailing engine and transmission choice. Anything heavier than an aluminum block LS and we will recommend using coilovers on the front.
1947-1959 CHEVY PICKUPS
New 1947-59 Chevy pickup frame to accept C4 Corvette suspension.
The ’47 – ’59 short wheelbase Chevy pickup frames we offer are built from scratch with all new metal. The main rails are 2×6 rectangular tubing necked down to 2×4 in the back. All the tubing is .120 wall thickness. The front is made up of a combination of tubing and CNC plasma cut parts.
When done, the C4 Corvette suspension will bolt in, utilizing the stock C4 cradle on the front. You do not need to use the factory torque tube that comes with the C4 suspension, a new hand built on is provided. The C4 stock engine mounts that are originally located on the C4 cradle will not be used as new engine mounts are incorporated into the new frame. The engine mounts can be setup for LS, LT, LT1, or small block engines.
1953-1962 CORVETTES
The “solid-axle” generation Corvettes capitalized on the public’s enthusiastic reaction to Chevrolet’s concept vehicle and they are absolutely stunning.
What would my rolling Chassis come with?
When buying a rolling chassis from us, you will receive a low mile 1988-96 Corvette suspension with Dana 44 rear. It will come with a rebuilt rack and pinion, new upper and lower ball joints, new tie rod ends, new wheel bearings, new Bilstein shocks or coilovers for an additional price, new sway bar bushings, new u-joints, engine and trans mounts for either LS or small block Chevy engine and body mount bushing kit. Also included are power steering cooler, new brake pads and rotors and rear bump stops.
Self-Install
Installing your own C4 suspension onto one of our frames?
We are never too busy for questions or advice if doing the work yourself. Email, call, or text with anything you might have. Calling is best for working through an issue, or text for exchanging pictures. Whether it be ordering parts or you don’t know which belt goes where, don’t hesitate to reach out.
New and Upcoming
All new Mandrel bent 1955-57 Tri-5 Chevy frames.
We will soon be offering an all new steel mandrel bent frame rail design that still utilizes the C4 Corvette suspension. I put the first prototype frame under my personal 1957 Chevy 4 door station wagon. I had to make adjustments to the design but the car is running and driving and my family and I couldn’t be happier with it.
The new frame rails are mandrel bent out of 2×4 .120 wall thickness cold rolled steel. The rails are then placed onto the same jig used for the modified original Tri-5 frames. I then CNC plasma cut all the body mounts and other frame components and assemble / weld until completion. The only differences with this newly designed frame is that it is made out of all new steel and it is built to accept QA1 coilovers front and rear. The coilovers I use are the QA1 PromaStar DS402 with a 9″ spring front and rear. I used 450 pound springs on my personal 1957 Chevy four door station wagon. Other spring rates will apply based on vehicle weight. The modified original and new steel frames have exhaust provisions for up to 3″ exhaust. The use of the flatout engineering rear toe bar assembly is required for proper toe bar to frame clearance.
The modified original Tri-5 frames to accept C4 suspension is a great tried and true product. I have good seamless original core frames on hand, however for the people not wanting to use the original frame or don’t have a good buildable core frame, then the all new mandrel bent frame is a good alternative.
Pricing
| Modified original ’55-’57 Tri-5 frame | $7,000 ($7,500 without a supplied core) |
| ’47-’59 Chevy pickup frames | $7,000 |
| New design ’55-’57 Tri-5 frame | $7,500 |
| Powdercoat for all frames | $1,000 |
| Rolling chassis | Call for pricing |
Frame Gallery
Previous Builds
Browse our proud owner’s hot rods, and check out the stance of what yours would sit like!
