TipsyMcStagger

iTrader: (1)

"You think you hate it now, wait 'til you drive it."

Narxoleptic

Awesome build! I'm ready to do one for my family. subbed for this one for sure

BlueJeep

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

I didn't work on the wagon much this weekend, but I did get some work done. Got some goodies in last week, and couldn't not see how they were going to look!

BlueJeep

So my builds are fairly structured, and I have a pretty good idea what needs to be done before the next step. The next one was getting the front suspension tacked in place. In order to do that, I had to fill in a 3/16" gap on either side of the Scott's crossmember. I took that opportunity to build some plates that would reinforce the side of the frame, and wrap slightly over the top to give it extra strength (thanks for the steel Jeff!).

Once I had everything where it needed to be and accounted for the rake, it was tacked in place. Then the front clip had to go back on so that I could visualize the ride height.

BlueJeep

OK, I like where this is going. Next step, cut the tacks holding the 8.8 in place and get rid of that. Once it was out of the way, I'd be able to slide the new wheels and tires in place and prepare to measure for the rear end width. This is also giving me a really good idea what the completed car will look like!

BlueJeep

The rear tires are 11.125" wide on 10" rims. It looks like I won't have to do as extensive of frame modifications as I was mentally preparing myself for. I can get by with removing the lip of the top hat frame, and that'll probably give me adequate clearance for the tires. I'm going to run a triangulated 4 link, so there really won't be any side-to-side movement. All I'll have to factor in is the movement when it is articulating, like when entering a steep driveway, etc. The other thing I'll be acutely aware of while building this is what it will take to get a rear tire off in the event of a flat, as the quarters suck up so much of the profile of the tire. Anyway, motivation is high being able to see it with the wheels and tires!

KiwiStarChief

Those wheels sure do look cool on that wagon. Keep up the good work!

Motown 454

iTrader: (15)

Nice Work! I couldn't believe the difference after you washed the car from before. This is going to be a fun car to go on Power Tour with.

Advanced Design

Nice rake, and the wheels have a perfect look for the wagon. Nice quick work too...crisp.

DEEDDUDE

Looking good Chris. Keep the update coming.

BlueJeep

In the past few weeks I had some more exciting parts arrive. My parents came down and delivered my front seat I had shipped to their place. It's a beauty, I know, but it has all the charm and character someone could ask for for a 64 year old car! I also got an axle in a box, very happy with the service and the product from Quick Performance!

BlueJeep

One of the boys and I also did some experimenting with center caps. Original 1954 dog dish caps may eventually find their way onto this car.

BlueJeep

This weekend's goal was to get the 4 link all set up. I knew that I would have some good focus time in the garage and that allowed me to be productive. It went pretty much as expected, the eBay brackets did save time and did require modifications to work. I actually cut some of them up and re-purposed them in other locations. I still need to build mounts for the coilovers, but I want to have them first and I haven't bought them yet.

I did decide to plate the frame where the upper links mount. Since it is only .095 thick, it could use some extra support. The plates will be welded all around and they are rosette welded in the middle.

BlueJeep

And with all of that done, here it is. This time, it is a roller! Next task will be to stick an engine in there (mock up engine, haven't bought a 6.0 yet).

Motown 454

iTrader: (15)

Nice job! It'll be a sweet ride..

BlueJeep

I suppose I could stop being lazy and provide some updates.

I have been picking away at a few things. Not nearly as much as I'd like, but I've been busy with other things. I did get my mockup motor in and used that to get the mounts all figured out. I cut some holes in the firewall so that I could slide it back and leave plenty of room for the dirt cheap truck accessories and allow for a fan and shroud.

BlueJeep

Once I knew the final position for the motor, it was time to patch the holes in the firewall. I choose to do it with one patch! Actually, by the time I'm done it'll be more than one....but no matter.

BlueJeep

The firewall recess for the 6 cylinder just was not the look that I was going for with the V8, and I didn't like the amount of bellhousing that was visible in that configuration so start from scratch it is. I'm going to take some design elements from the original firewall and incorporate them into the new. That necessitated ordering some 3/4" beading dies for the beadroller. I did some test pieces, will definitely have to put a lot of pre-stretch in these with the English wheel before I roll them!

I also picked up a scratch and dent steering column out of the Speedway garage sale, going to paint it anyway so what are a few scratches!

BlueJeep

I received my rear coilovers, so those needed to have some mounts fabbed up. Also picked up a gas tank for a 2002 S10 Blazer, those mounts will be next on the fab list.

BlueJeep

And then there's that dent in the passenger door that I've been looking at for months. I told myself I wasn't going to do anything to it until I had a plan, as I didn't want to mess up the paint. After much studying the Key to Metal Bumping, I decided that I needed to make a pry bar so I could control the movement as I worked on the direct damage, in hopes that the indirect damage would pop back into shape. That's largely what happened. I still have quite a bit of work left to do on the door, but it feels good to get the majority of the dent back much closer to the true surface.