Rear end

[TFoch]

Nice progress!  Thanks for posting.

[39delux]

Thanks for the kind words...keeps me going.  Please don't look to hard at the welds.  Welding the center bushing in was a b...h because it's about 4 feet off the floor, dark and I can't get next to it with a helmet on.  Got my body bent at a 45 degree angle to reach, arms reaching out and abs on fire.  Good news is that the torque wants to push the pinion up and not down.  Having nightmares about my measurements being off.  If one was building a 30s, 40s, or 50s pickup this swap would be a snap.  Frame rails could be adjusted such that the track is stock to a 'vette and still be tucked under the fenders.  Hot ticket would be to get a C4 'Vette front and rear suspension.  I think the price would work out cheaper than an aftermarket I.F.S. and rear end with suspension.  Depends on how much fab you want/can do yourself.   

[39delux]

Before putting the half shafts and knuckles in I wanted to torque the axle bolts.  The axle nuts are torqued to 170lbs and I just don't have the wrench that goes that high OR the a$$ to pull it.  Found a one inch drive 600 lbs torque wench that did the job with one hand.  Right tool for the right job. 


Made another stand for the knuckle and slid the left side assembly onto the pumpkin and...and...nothing fits!  The knuckle is under the frame and the dog bones come into the middle of the frame.  I must have had a defective tape measure.  Only solution that I can think of is to use the 2" X 3" frame rails that I made earlier.  Will need to scab them in about one inch inside the existing rails, then cut the originals out.  Must make sure the frame is stable when I do this. 

[39delux]

Final plan is to notch the frame to get clearance for the knuckle and get the rear of the car lower.  Made a piece to scab in over the existing frame over the axle.  Weld the new piece in, then cut out 2 1/2" of the original frame.  More grinding...hate that. 

[39delux]

Well, here is the latest.  Bags installed and tested...didn't work!  Turns out the bags are to small for the job but were the ones recommended by the bag Co. in Az.  Of course they would not refund. 

Made new brackets for the bags I was using before the swap (2500# double).  Tested them today and they work.  Why shouldn't they, worked before.  Due to the camber change during the full range from up to down I now have to cut out the inner fender wells.  Last step is to install shocks.  Still trying to figure that out. 

Once everything is operating correctly then blow it apart and paint.  Then sheet metal work, brake lines, gas line and e-brake.  Should be done this weekend...not. 

Picture of the bags at ride height.

[madmike3434]

your definitely having an adventure.

mike..........HAIRBALL

[chopper526]

Trial and error....cut, weld, repeat. Seriously, it's looking good, stay at it!

[39delux]

Starting on the sheet metal.  Here is day two on the trunk.  Forgot to take pictures of the support for the tin.  Welded in some half inch square tubing to give more support for the heavy luggage on long trips (wishful thinking).  As you can see the tubs have already been done.  Got to do some floor under the rear seat too.  Researching seam sealers now.  Cost of a tube runs $17 and up.  Got to do both sides of each seam so I'll need a LOT!

Still have to run the brake lines, fuel line and e-cables.  Then it's blow everything apart, paint and reassemble.

One last point.  Think I'll leave the 2.73 gears for now and reprogram the computer.  Much cheaper than gear change ($1000) and then find out the whole swap is a bust!

[madmike3434]

2.73 rear gears , I smell an attempt a the land speed record on your local freeway.

mike ................HAIRBALL

[39delux]

Getting the trunk area all closed up.  Just need one more piece on the left side and a cover for the fuel pump.  What you don't see is the rear seat area.  The floor there has more bends and crooks that a Washington lawyer. 

[TFoch]

Looking great!  That's a lot of fab work there!  Thanks for posting.

[39delux]

Well, the trunk area is done.  Easy enough, all flat sheet metal.  Now for the back seat area.  There isn't a flat spot there.  Not sure how I'll do it yet but thinking about cutting just about everything out and start all over.  Everything would be square bends where needed.

[sammons]

That's a lot of pieces, lookin good man. Your getting down to the short strokes.

[chopper526]

Lots of metal, bending, welding. Looks great!!

[62131]

looking good