my new project!

[70_boosted]

been quite awhile since ive been able to post...more so been working mad and been buying parts and kinda replanning my build. as well as building a new work place for my firebird, when its stored away and not being used as my auto shop class project.

been buying some air bag components and decided to redesign the back half to accommodate my ideas better, tho its only the back half welded up, i have plans to get it over the the front portion to reunite it all tomorrow afternoon.

 

[70_boosted]

been ages but time and money is back on my side. got to redoing the frame and got to setting the axle in place. therefore getting the bags in place and mounted. with that i can final weld and move forth. here is a couple pics. looking at finishing motor mounts tomorrow and workin on the trans crossmember. hopefully i can have motor in place monday, being a holiday and free time to work.

 

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once that i can lay the cab back down i finalize the trans tunnel framing. i hope i can finalize the issues with the rear shocks and driveshaft loop and control arms

 

[70_boosted]

just got to installing and fitting the control arm front crossmember. with it at an excessive ride height, the driveshaft will not come into contact with it at all. have the tabs layed out for the axle and crossmember for when i get the metal in to finish making the control arms. so hopefully soon it will all fall together.

getting the motor in tomorrow morning so hopefully i can have the motor mounts tacked into place and begin fabbing the trans member as well. slowly but surely again rolling along.

 

[70_boosted]

so after some complications this 3 day weekend. ideas have changed around once again.

i fully welded the front crossmember tabs onto the crossmember that was cut and installed. though the picture just shows the parts used, all cleaned and welded in very nicely. just waiting on my buddy to notch my tubes for the control arms so i can weld the solid bushing end on and then proceed to cut to size and weld in the adjustable heim tube adapters. [[

i should have the arms tacked and fitted into place in the next day or 2 and get yet more pics posted up. slow going but finally back on pace again, works slowed down back to 40hr weeks.

finally, through my complications of 3 broken sockets, a broken ext, and adapter, and busted knuckles to boot. i have decided to get rid of the 1jz twin turbo I6 swap in exchange for......an enormous 8.2L 500ci Caddy torque monster!!! [ddd[dr its a 500ci, auto trans, driveshaft swap for 400!! my buddy has one he was building to go into his drag truck but decided against it and im getting it for a steal. though i passed on paying the extra for the full blown race goodies to rebuild with, im going to take the money from sellign the I6 and install cam and regasket.

what does everyone think with the motor change decision?

 

[70_boosted]

forgot to post the pics to go with the quote!

crossmember in the prefabbed stage
old motor!
a soon to be new motor! for picture purposes;not actual motor!

 

[bob w]

Caddy all the way!!!

 

[70_boosted]

i def hope to feel the same. guy just recently got it ready for pickup last night, so i shall be going to grab it this weekend.

 

[70_boosted]

so got some great news, just got bck from unloading the caddy! this motor is frickin HUGE! its a beast. will have some pics tomorrow or this weekend.

 

[70_boosted]

got some new parts in...looking to play with the new motor this weekend and have the control arms test fitted nd welded.

looking forward to the air tank coming in and along with that the matching compressor. with the parts in, the welding of the control arms need to wait til morning for its too late to play around with welding when the little girl wants to sit around and help

 

[70_boosted]

going to weld in my control arm mounts on the axle and weld in the airbag plates finally, not just tack them. waiting on my bushings to come in for my control arms to be able to mount and cut down to size so i can but the heim adapters in and weld those in. have to wait for later tonight to get in and weld. hopefully ill have pics of the full axle set up with both control arms and bag plates welded in and motor pics. ups and usps are making the project slow down some. sorry everyone, know how we all love pics on a build

 

[Sam_Fear]

Haven't checked in on this one for a bit. You're really getting it done! Like your motor choice - can't wait to see it in the frame.

 

[70_boosted]

yea few havent commented in awhile but mainly its been look at my new onslaught of parts and what the plans for the weekends are with such parts, but with my daughter starting preschool and ballet, its limited me from getting and linign everything up for the weekend work lol. none the less, motor is looking at being test fitted this weekend, and as long as the bushings come in, the control arms shall be fully finished and mounted to the frame to get the axle lined up on its own without the use of jack stands and wood blocks.

should have more pics coming quite soon, will also being picking up some scrap airlines with check valves so i can fill the bags to move the chassis for final welding and corner brace welding [. and that way i can point out to everyone a possible ride height and see if my constant tweaking of frame and designs please me [S most likely will not be the end

 

[70_boosted]

pics are from the motor in my buddies garage, wasnt able to get over there til after sundown, so light and detail is pretty much limited but here you go.

 

[70_boosted]

got the bag plates welded on as well as the control arm mounts welded on. hopefully now i can get the bushings for the control arms in tomorrow and have the arms cut to length and be able to tack the heim ends in and have the axle linked into place.

 

[70_boosted]

so was building whats the be my 3rd link while i wait for my panhard to come in. the 3rd link front mounting point will also serve as my driveshaft loop, or rectangle. its just test fitted still need to cut and tack in all brackets, til i get full motion settled down and make sure no binding.

figured id give a heads up on whts going down with this project,

also got the drip rails cut off the cab as well as my bear claw latches and install kit in the mail. waiting til next week to install along with finishing the roof strip. have pics of the cab soon.

 

[70_boosted]

got to finalizing and tacking in the 3rd link. i plan to run a panhard as well for i already ordered the parts so making the 3rd link more complicated was not needed. the front tower will be braced above the link as well as to the sides towards the frame rails. once final fitting and adjusting to clear the 3rd link ill final weld, only after the panhard comes in and is fitted.

as i was tacked and testing the 3rd link i come to realize that my link is hitting the forward cross member. so i have to notch the middle section to clear the link, but its not going to be harmful in anyway for the extra bracing running from the front crossmember tower and so forth. ill post once the process takes place.

also that last pic is of the 3rd member unbolted from the front to check how bad of clearing cutting was going to be needed. so thats why its not interfering in the pic.

 

[ratroddude]

SBC/ PG all the way!!!!

 

[70_boosted]

well im actually talking to my friend at work, who is building a 34 ford truck, has a brand new crate 350/th350 setup. i considered swapping that setup for my 500/th400....but no! sold my 1jz TT I6 swap to a buddy who wants it for a old school 280z, that money went to buying a cam package and rocker shaft setup. plan to run my pipes old school funny car style; hopefully lookin as good as it does in my head

 

[70_boosted]

so i fixed the rear link situation. still need to brace the front support tower but that will come as i fit my panhard brackets in as well. had the notch the cross beams for the bag plates and once laid out, the whole bracket and bolt clears by about an 1/8 either side, looks good and pivots real nice.