I just snapped a pic with my camera because my scanner is acting up. Hope you can see the details..






[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 5:53 PM 12/5/2003]

 

Thank you Twin Turbo for taking the time to find that picture but i have a little trouble relating that to my simple installation of front coil overs. :)

 

Well, the front upper crossmember has holes in it, made me think of you LOL :D

But seriously, look at that bulge area, the bulge is gone and there's a notch for the shock to clear it. Pretty zippy setup if you ask me ;) :D I wouldn't mind having scaffolding like that in my car LOL


[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 10:38 AM 12/6/2003]

 

Nothing is better than a big block with a dry sump!

Your right Norval is the only person I know of that made their frame look like swiss cheese! :eek:

 

I fail to see how my frontend resembles swiss cheese????????
Double click to enlarge

 

Twin Turbo I am not seeing a picture and the early picture this morning was a scanning.
I started cutting the frame this afternoon. The lower A arm is not done but I know what I am doing and it just involves makeing another plate, my 3rd since yesterday. Each time I make a plate to cover the cut out spring pocket I find some fault with it and start over.
This afternoon I wanted to start on the frame itself. 1st I cut out the strap that goes from the inner A arm mount to the outside of the frame.
A 4 1/2 inch cuttting blade in a grinder makes short work of this, cut top and bottom to remove this strap then change the wheel to a grinding wheel or emery paper and grind the cut off weld smooth. You will find a plate lays flat on this surface and butts nicely into the lean to of the upper A arm.
You still have to cut out the spring pocket, but only the center and a spring could be put back into place if need be.
I now know what and how to do the top, so with a top mount knowing how and what to do along with what and how to do the bottom the hard part is finished.
I know post pictures . I will as soon as I get a digital camera. Christmas is close and I keep hoping. Two different sources have hinted at getting me one. It they don't I will have to break down and buy my own.
I will post pictures step by step for the other side so others can follow along.
You do need a cutting torch and a welded. The lower A arm spring pocket needs the bottom cut completely out and the frame needs the center cut out of the frame leaving the out ring that the spring sit in.
Both cut outs are covered by 1/4 inch plates that can be cut by a torch.
Twin Turbo where is the picture agian :crazy: :crazy:

 

UHHH....other than a possible weight savings, what is the advantage of a true coil over shock arrangement....to our stock setup, just a slightly differant arrangement of fastening the junk together...that's all I see....so what gives??? just a weight savings???

GENE

 

oh, server down. Same pic tho, a photo of a book, looks like a scan but it is a picture taken with a digital camera ;) :D

Here it is again, other server:





[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 3:51 PM 12/6/2003]

 

UHHH....other than a possible weight savings, what is the advantage of a true coil over shock arrangement....to our stock setup, just a slightly differant arrangement of fastening the junk together...that's all I see....so what gives??? just a weight savings???

Gene I agree with you 100%. I kept asking the same question over and over without an answer. The only reason I installed them is so during the season I can quickly pull the springs out for bump steer checks. With the large diameter spring one ball joint must come apart and I hate dealing with the potential danger of a flyer.
Twin Turbo also talked me into doing it, not sure why? I have totally commited myself and can't go back now.
I have about $1500 before I am finished in the 4 coil overs but it gives me something to do this winter.

 

Norval, an honest answer if I ever heard one....boils down to one thing....


Because it's there'.......


GENE ( who has NEVER did anything like that) :D :lolg: :reddevil

 

aww come on norval, now you're looking for excuses :D you IMed me about what to do, you were already craving coil overs BAD, I just gave you the final little push :D ;)

 

Because it's there'.......

That's absolutely right Gene, because it's there.
Twin Turbo I was craving something, something that would give me a winte project but common sense said save the money and stick with the original large springs and you did give me the extra push.
I want to be able to completely assemble the front end just like I would drive down the road minus the spring and shock and do extremely accurate bump steer/ adjustments then just drop the spring/coil into place, no taking apart of the suspension.
Seeing the bump steer gage showing only .025 toe out over 6 inches of travel finally did the trick and that .025 will disappear also. I am shooting for .010 or less.
Have a good night guys

 

okay, sounds you're almost finished already and winter just started...what to think of next. Oh yeah! lower the fuel tank! :D ;)

BTW, what coil overs did you get for the fronts??

 

Twin Turbo I am a long way from finished but the hardest part is knowing what needs doing. While I have hardly started I have worked out the problems at least in my head. I make cardboard templetes of the plates I need to make to fill in the holes cut in the lower A arm and the frame.
Knowing what to do is harder then actually doing it. I will take these templetes and transfer them onto 1/4 inch plate, cut out the center holes and weld the shock mounts to these plates before installing the plates.
Everything needs to be made, tac welded together, assembled , check for clearance of the spring and total range of motion without binding, then take apart, finish welding, grind and finally powdercoat.
I am going with Pro Shocks, the same as on the back but hopefully 7 inch with 14 inch 300 pound springs. I took one of the 5 inch rear shocks off to use as a templete for clearance and dimensions.
I have yet to order front shocks but that comes after I find out 5 or 7 inch.


[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 7:16 AM 12/7/2003]