March 29, 2024 10:00 AM

Author Topic: MissTress makeover  (Read 25079 times)

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Offline Wowcars

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MissTress makeover
« on: November 21, 2012 2:43 PM »
So, you may all know that Lucky has been gracious enough to let me use his hoist over the winter to remedy many things that have bothered me about the Stude since I got her on the road. Primarily completely updating the rear suspension. I scored a pair of Roush Racing Nascar (GM Truck style) control arms off the E-bay and panhard bar for $180 shipped. I'm pretty excited. I plan on running Slam Specialties SS6 bags n the rear. All of this will require major changes to the trunk pan and rear floor, which need replacement anyways.


The next item will be front floor replacement. After re-engineering the trans mount, I'll be cutting out the floors and re-doing the driveshaft tunnel and floors. I'm pretty lucky since we have a 10ft power shear and brake here at work to be able to fabricate floor pans nicely.


After that will be fabbing up a rear crossmember to mount a hitch. We'll see if I have any time after that for anything else before the wedding. Or if Lucky and Roxy kick me out by then. But there will be lots of quality time in their garage together as Lucky builds his '29 Roadster...


First thing done, was to remove the lakes pipes. Gone for good. Evolution of a car, as Eyeball says.

Offline Eyeball

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2012 3:42 PM »
Great to see you making progress! Keep the updates comming.
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline Tom

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2012 5:23 PM »
Keep the updates comming.

On both cars!!!
"A rat rod is a hot rod with poor workmanship". Roger S.

Offline sko_ford

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2012 8:56 PM »
Rad
WANTED: Mel Tillis valve covers

Offline Lord_of_the_Dance

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2012 9:40 PM »
Woot Woot!!
"You can't drink all day...unless you start in the morning"- KustomDallas

Offline Wowcars

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2012 3:20 PM »
Well, this all came out last night. I'm pretty sure I bought NOS springs for this a while back after breaking the originals. I have no idea how ::) . Oh well, into the scrap pile. I plan on cutting down some 2x4 square tubing and hole sawing a half circle to weld to the axle housing and that will be the perch for the truck arms. We also established rough ride height, although I now realize I didn't take any pictures of it.

Offline Wowcars

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2012 3:28 PM »
Heres a couple of pics with the new arms put in place just for lateral placement ideas.

Offline Eyeball

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2012 3:19 PM »
How about a pic of the ubot situation.
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline Wowcars

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2012 3:27 PM »
The u-bolt situation got ugly. The kid running the press evidently used the wrong die. Chris and I heated them up to barely go through the control arm. With minimal success. I went back this morning and the owner of the shop made new ones that fit beautifully in the control arms. If the weather isn't horrible tomorrow, I'll head out and try and get the arms on the axle.

Offline Eyeball

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2012 3:53 PM »
Let's see some pics when you get time.
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline Wowcars

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2012 12:14 AM »
So last couple of weeks have had some progress. After I got new U-bolts, I mocked up the arms with the new bolts. I made this out of 2x3 rect tubing Lucky had laying around.

Then with the handy Chop saw....

There's my pads to weld onto the axle tube. I had to modify them a bit because of the inward angle of the control arms, but will do the job nicely, I think.


I then found that I had to cut out some of the original hanger bearing crossmember. Now, I think I'm going to cut it all out. Did I mention I REALLY like the plasma cutter?


With the crossmember opened up to clear the control arms, I was then able to drop the car back down to "aired out" height and check clearances.


It doesn't look like it here, but I have about 2.5" clearance between the control arm and frame aired out.
With that information I was able to contact Lucky's air suspension friend and hooked me up with bags, compressor, tank and valves tonight. So next week, I should be able to start getting that stuff in order.

Offline Serious

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2012 5:50 AM »
lookin good bolo...

Offline Tom

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2012 1:31 PM »
Wow!!! Them are some kick ass U bolts. How are you liking working under a hoist, sure beats the hell out of laying on your back, right? :)
 
Looks like you C the frame some time in the past.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2012 1:38 PM by Tom »
"A rat rod is a hot rod with poor workmanship". Roger S.

Offline Wowcars

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2012 1:54 PM »
Yes, I love the plasma cutter AND the hoist! I did put the c-notch in the frame about 5 years ago at Driven. You can really see what the moisture in storage for 2 years did to the bottom of the car.


I forgot to point out a very small tech tip in this picture. I'm sure most of you have done this, but maybe not. My axle pad was too narrow to clamp tightly into the chop saw. I've had this happen before and I always cut some scrap the same length and put it on the other end of the clamp for it to tighten against with the part to be cut also secured in place.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2012 1:59 PM by Wowcars »

Offline Tom

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Re: MissTress makeover
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2012 2:05 PM »
^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, a chop saw can be a wicked tool.
"A rat rod is a hot rod with poor workmanship". Roger S.