Exactly. Like I was saying to Steve im going for a original super stock/vintage pro street look. Make it look like it was almost a factory special race order. I would love to even keep the factory fuel tank but it wont fit. Ive actually been looking at the rear section to see if I could rework it so it could take it. I don't see it happening though unless im blind.
Where are the bars from the back half cross member forward? I used the s&w frame kit too I was told they dont hold much hp I never had a problem
Steve, do you have any shots of the tubs? Im guessing you went after market and didn't extend the stock wheelhouses like im going to try and do. If I extended the wheelhouse the same width as an aftermarket tub would the tub still have more room due to a even curve and not angled and bent like the stock wheehouse? I was thinking about this the other day. I want to sink the car down and am worried now the stock wheelhouse might not give as much clearance as a full aftermarket tub of the same width.
I'm sure I have some on my home PC, but unfortunately I'm not home. I'll try to post a few this weekend when I'm home. And yes, I'm using aluminum tubs. Not sure, but if you use widened stock tubs you may have trouble getting the car to sit very low. Put the body back in place and have the car at "ride height". Get the tires/wheels you are going to be using and put them in place at the proper wheelbase, (or a little longer wheelbase will fit the wider tries better), then start fitting and measuring the stock tubs to see if they'll work for you. By going through this procedure you can also determine the proper axle width for your rear axle housing and axle shafts. Thanks, Steve
Nice.. Jellous of your welding skills, (plenty of mechanical) but none in the welding feild, love to have rear mini tubbs
Awesome job! By no means is my back half done as nice and as on the level of yours and Steves...Hell I never even took mine off the frame to do. And did it back in the early 90's when I was younger. I'm almost embarrassed of how it looks. But proud of my work since then as my "Reynolds" (some pun intended Steve!) car turned out nice. That being said, I was looking for the same outcome as you...I think. I was going for a stock factory look. Wanted a stock gas tank and the stock interior including the stock back seat. Mine is narrowed a little over 10"...maybe not as much as most. I narrowed the gas tank 11" by sectioning it. Took a new tank and cut off each end or side, then cut out 5.5" from each side of the middle then welded and brazed the ends back on. I Intended for the stock straps to cover the welds and it did. For the tubs I used at the time Chevelle repro inner tubs (I'm sure by now there are Buick Skylark repo's) and fabricated them in...by memory, I think I sectioned that as well. For the seat I had to cut and bend some of the frame but it did fit back in well. Again, nice job!
Oh...I also used the stock rear frame section. Again by taking out 11" from the center then welding back together along with a tube for the top shock mounts and the cage tied in.
Guy, don't be modest....... your X was the inspiration for my X!!! I really like the idea of using factory tubs if possible.... definitely gives it more of a stock feel, vs. Drag car. A few tub/interior pics.
Thanks man. I was actually thinking about trying that with the tank. But ive changed the rear now so it really wont fit. Ill be posting pics soon. Nice work. Exact type of pics I was looking for! Thanks!
Man, this is on my bucket list! Keep the pics coming, I'm loving your work so far, very cool and well done.
Well I reworked the rear. Originally I left it open because I wanted to see if I could run a stock tank but I cant. This is way more rigid. I extended the frame rails all the way to the rear and moved the side beams back couple inches. I should have it painted up tomorrow. Then I can start on boxing the frame.