$4,995.00
Updated 2024.Jan.20
Nerd Rods Stage 1 TFC4, weld it yourself, frame is the answer to TriFive owners looking to install upgraded suspension to their project and say they built it themselves.
The TFC4 frame has been designed in 3D CAD, Solidworks, with help from Factory Blueprints, 3D Scanning, and over a decade of feedback from customers into the Version 8 frame you see here.
The Nerd Rods Frame resolves several problems with the OEM frame design when utilizing modern suspension. We then packaged into something a skilled hot rodder can build themselves without 10+ years of experience, or an entire chassis shop at your disposal.
You weld it.
Then tell everyone you built it. Because you did. We just helped.
To learn more about how the frame fits the TriFive and the advantages of the C4 Suspension see the TriFive C4 About Page.
Jump to instruction videos.
Jump to Why you don’t need a JIG
Jump to FAQ.
How the frame assembly works.
The frame comes bagged as shown. Each bag is a sub assembly to the complete frame. The concept is simple. You open ONE bag with tubing parts in it. You assemble everything in that bag then you move onto the next bag. In this fashion the daunting 200+ parts that make up the frame will be closer to 50 when you finally have all the bags opened and sub-assemblies welded. At this point the frame and sub-assemblies become very obvious as to their location for the next stage of assembly.
What comes with the Stage 1 Kit?
- The 200+ TFC4 Frame, CNC Cut Tubing and Laser Cut Flat Steel
- Alignment Parts and Hardware, Jigs
- Rear Corvette Suspension Toe In Toe Out Control Arms
- Front Sway-bar Linkage to Clear Coil Over Shocks
- Rear Sway-bar Linkage to Move the Sway-bar Behind the Axle
- Rear Corvette Suspension Lower Shock Mounts
- Stage 1 Nut and Bolt Hardware Kit, Bolts All Corvette Suspension Components To The Frame
- Stage 0 JIG Specific Hardware Kit
Don’t I need a jig and how does it stay square when you weld it without one?
You can see in our 3D CAD cut-a-ways that the frame is made up of a ton of different keys and tabs.
Each set of keys is different from one another. Even the left and right sides of the frame are a mirror so you can’t mix left and right side parts. Passenger and driver side if your prefer.
Each set of keys creates a locked joint to keep the parts from moving in 2 plans. When you clamp the assembly joint to a good work table or solid flat surface then you have secured the joint in all 3 planes. Now the part has “self jigged” and it ready for welding without the need of a dedicated jig table.
For some of the more complex parts you will have dedicate JIGs that come with the kit. You can see the JIGs in RED. The nuts and bolts used for these assemblies is the Stage 0 hardware to aid in holding the parts in line while you weld up the assemblies.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q – I’ve never welded before, can I do this?
A – NO! This should not be your first welding project. Moderate experience and familiarity with your welding equipment is required!
Take a class locally at the very least. Or ask and expert welder to look at your welds if you’re not certain. Welding is not hard but it takes practice and quality equipment.
This should not be your first big project.
Q – Can I stick weld the frame?
A – No. Stick does not have the control needed to weld a number of the joints in this frame.
Q – Is my Welding Machine big enough to weld this?
A – If you’re asking this question then you do not understand what your equipment can do, or how to prep metal so your machine can do it.
For example, a smaller machine could make full penetration if you V groove the parent metal so it is thin enough for a smaller machine to penetrate. Then you clean the weld and make a second pass over the top. This is just one reason you need to know what you can do with your equipment.
Q – Can you tell me your settings?
A – I won’t. You should test your setup, your speed, at your location. You might move slower than I do and require less AMP’s. You might run a larger wire and require more. You might not be welding in 100°F Texas summer heat. My settings won’t necessarily work for your machine.
Q – I see you TIG welding it. Do I have to TIG weld it?
A – You can MIG weld the entire frame if you prep your welds correctly. You will need to test your setup to know if you have full penetration with your setup or not.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you should probably learn more about welding before taking on a full frame project.
For production we use a combination of MIG and TIG as some welds are easier and superior to do with one process and other layups are likewise with the other process.
Q – Can I TIG weld everything?
A – Sure. I’ve done several frames 100% TIG welded.
Then I realized I needed to make a living a little more than automotive art so now I use both MIG and TIG as necessary.
Do I get step by step instructions?
No. There are no step by step instructions with the frame when you get it.
Everything you need to know about how the frame fits together is right here. Tons of photos and videos of several frames going together to show you how we do it. So you can get an idea of how we clamp and hold things and in what order. That might not be how you do it in the long run.
We do it this way because there are more than a few ways to skin this cat. It all depends upon your equipment. How many clamps do you have? Are you on a table? What kind of machine are you using?
Simply put, if you recognize what we are doing in the videos as stuff you have done before then you are going to have a great time and the project will be easy. If you do not feel comfortable, then you should absolutely ask for help. A skilled hot rod friend or even a local shop to help while you work.
Over 135 + TriFive Frames delivered and the only people who haven’t finished, haven’t started yet.
And of course we will be available to help if you get really stumped.
Don’t forget to Look up the Stage 2, Fully Welded Frame to see what it looks like when you’re done.
TriFive Stage 1 – Instruction Videos
This first video shows the entire frame in 3D animation. The frame is shown in reverse to help you understand where on the frame one of the 200+ parts in your bags go. It will make more since in the long run.
Welding Videos.
In this series you’ll get to watch us weld up one of our frames. There will be a short 3D animation of the section we’ll be welding followed by us welding that very section.