Just some junk on Rockwells build thread..

To the mockup phase, to see if any of my "calculations" will actually work out in reality.. the short answer is pretty much yes! The axles are sitting 1/2" higher than they will at trail pressure, and the frame is set at full suspension compression. Should work out to 4.5-5" of compression while keeping 25" belly clearance at ride height.

42's at 5psi-- 13" under the lowest part of the axle which is only a few inches wide.. :)

13inchclearance_jpg.jpg


Front- Yeah, that crossmember has GOT to go, along with a little bit of the frame rails. The towers for the upper links and the chunk are going to be a TIGHT squeeze inside the frame.

frontmockup-top_jpg.jpg

frontmockup-fr_jpg.jpg


Rear- Shouldn't be too big of a deal, though much of the frame visible here is a goner. Won't have a ton of steering angle unless I get more creative with the tube work.. Driveshaft angle is AWESOME. I reallly love the toploaders because of this. At full compression, the driveshaft has about a 0° coming out of the t-case. :D

rearmockup_jpg.jpg


Looks like the wheelbase will end up at 114-115".
 
Out with the old, and in with the new!

Pulled the 305, and cut the frame off as well... Looks like this will allow for better link clearance and to build in some adjustability into the uppers.

Buh-bye.
cut1.jpg

It's only a few inches of the frame, really.

cut2.jpg

Looks REALLY empty in there!

cut3.jpg
 
Dropped the LS in, after installing the GM flexplate spacer and longer bolts, which lets me use the stock flexplate, and my older model torque convertor.

flexplatespacer.jpg

Mocked the axle up after installing the engine, and it looks like the WB can get back to 110 or very close to it, vs. the 115 I had guesstimated. 110" was my goal anyway, so this was good. The driveshaft and passenger side links clear the engine by a mile, but the driver's side upper link is what's presenting clearance issues with the belt from the PS pump to the crank.

dsmockup.jpg
front.jpg

And Jim, you were right. I need the f-body oil pan. :(
 
Rich said:
Dropped the LS in, after installing the GM flexplate spacer and longer bolts, which lets me use the stock flexplate, and my older model torque convertor.

And Jim, you were right. I need the f-body oil pan. :(
Click to expand...

Have you bolted up the torque converter yet?

This way did not work on thad's, but worked on Greg's.

Hope you got about $200 for the pan.
 
Rich, don't take this the wrong way... But having been in the exact position with the zuke project, where i had cut the frame out 1 piece at a time and sectioned in new tube to mimic/replace it.. In the end I should have started just making a tube chassis..

I know there are more experienced tube people here, so buy the tube and round up a few folks to bend some tube... I'll bring a few grinders and tools. I can bolt my bender in the back of the truck and bring that if need be....
 
rockmafia said:
Have you bolted up the torque converter yet?
This way did not work on thad's, but worked on Greg's.
Hope you got about $200 for the pan.
Click to expand...

Yup, I have.. Test-fit it with a spare TC first to make sure I opened up the holes enough, and the spacer did a great job of centering up the TC. Wasn't Thad's a TH400 trans? Maybe that's the difference?

I've been seeing closer to $250 with all the other parts needed for that pan. :rolleyes:

Mike - I just don't see what it's going to gain me by re-doing the frame rails under the body. Maybe that's why I'm resisting so much?
The frame-side link mounts are in a good location, it won't make much of any difference with the exhaust, I don't need/want it wider or narrower, etc...
 
rich, ill buy that 305 for mine if you can get me pics of the backside of each of the pulleys:beer:
 
pheery said:
rich, ill buy that 305 for mine if you can get me pics of the backside of each of the pulleys:beer:
Click to expand...
Wrong thread.. :flipoff2:

But, since you asked... :flipoff2:

pulleys.jpg
 
More mockup modifications.. Now will be 24" at the belly with 5" uptravel.. :D (Was 25" with 4" up)

Much better. Could juust about get 6" up at the same ride height, but I'll call that "fudge room"
 
damn:flipoff2: looks sweet. you set on the wheelbase and the 42's? what ideas do you have for the front frame work? you gonna keep the tube over the grill or....
 
pheery said:
damn:flipoff2: looks sweet. you set on the wheelbase and the 42's? what ideas do you have for the front frame work? you gonna keep the tube over the grill or....
Click to expand...

I like 110", so I'm gonna try and stay close to that, and I do want a semi-narrow tire, so the 42 is it for right now.

The front will be pretty simple, really.. just a single tube running from the frame out the front, and around in a U-shaped horizontal hoop with some supports going to the tubing below/under the hood.. It should look similar to how it does now.
 
See if you can get a set of these:

aec2.images_amazon.com_images_P_0879389230.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
 
Looks good Rich! I am taking notes because i am debating cutting the front of my frame too (or just building a buggy) and i can see why you want to keep the frame. Unless you want to narrow the body then you dont have much of a reason loose the 4 feet of frame. You are going to be done for Harlan on april fools day right? :flipoff2:
 
Got the thirds cleaned up, lots of new hardware, lockers installed.. Need to get speedi-sleeves for the pinion yokes, and they'll be done.

thirds.jpg

Pulled the t-case to sell it, and was mentally mocking up the NP205... Gonna be a TIGHT squeeze in there, I'll probably have to cut more of the trans tunnel and some of the floor on that side. Depending on how the clocking plate works out, I will most likely lower the trans down closer to the bottom of the frame rails.

transrear1.jpg

As I was getting the rear spring hangars off, I found this little gem.. Freakin cruisers and rust... I gotta say, I did a good job welding those spring hangars on, because they were a MOFO to get off!

rusthole.jpg
 
Oh, and the sawz-all got another workout... Then spent the rest of the day grinding, grinding, and grinding to clean up the tubework that was left over, as well as the spring hangars and stuff...

rearcage1.jpg

rearcage2.jpg
 
I wish I did.. JUST got home from the funeral that had me gone from home since Wednesday.

Found out I got the invite to the OBX beach house for the week of July 4th, so that's my official deadline, since I want to bring the cruiser..

I see a week being taken off from work.. :p
 
Rich said:
Found out I got the invite to the OBX beach house for the week of July 4th, so that's my official deadline, since I want to bring the cruiser..
Click to expand...

So, you want to be done to take it to the beach? Thats worse than saying you want to be done for ure, poser:flipoff2: .
 
rockmafia said:
So, you want to be done to take it to the beach? Thats worse than saying you want to be done for ure, poser:flipoff2: .
Click to expand...

Yeah, it'll be fun, the family that we are staying with aren't 'wheelers, and their kids will love it. It'll make getting the big 80 gallon coolers onto the beach alot easier, too.. :D
 
Rich said:
I wish I did.. JUST got home from the funeral that had me gone from home since Wednesday.
Found out I got the invite to the OBX beach house for the week of July 4th, so that's my official deadline, since I want to bring the cruiser..
I see a week being taken off from work.. :p
Click to expand...


Not to stray from the post - but where on the OB are you going.

The wife and I will be visting family in the Harkers Island/Cape Lookout area.

--Byron
 
We're going to be on Hatteras Island, if I remember right.. Until I checked a map, I really had NO idea how freaking long those island chains are!
 
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