PDA

View Full Version : Insane Trans Am for Towing build



dominantfear
01-16-2012, 09:06 AM
Hello all,
I know we all love seeing bizarre fabrication, and I'm doing some. I'm just getting started on my latest project, though progress will be slower when the weather is colder.
The basic idea is to fabricate an in-trunk class-3 hitch, then add a gooseneck hitch, then do subframe connectors and a full cage, then tie it all together.
This is not to see how much I can get away with. This is just because I find it fun.
Both hitches will be tested on a friend's 3/8-mile potholed driveway on his farm, not public roads.
I want both hitches in by Independence day, for the big local annual car show.
I'm also considering doing a dually set-up, with a 3.54:1 Dana 60, on new 16x6 steelies, on 215/65R16s
To this end I have gutted the rear of the car, scraped what glue was in the way, done some measuring, et cetera.
In this first pic, I'm standing on the left side of the car, near the rear, looking down on the top of the sub-frame-rail. Notice how I've scraped away all the glue so that the new steel can sit flat
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_13541-1.jpg
Now leaning in, standing a bit forward, looking toward the rear
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_1355-1.jpg
Now same thing, but looking at the passenger side instead
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_13551-1.jpg

dominantfear
01-16-2012, 09:07 AM
Notice I have the deck all scraped, hammered, and smoothed flat for the GN plate
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_1354-1.jpg
Here's as far as I got before I ran out of blades ( and drill bits )
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_12141-1.jpg
and here's a close-up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/01/P011412_1215-1.jpg

dominantfear
01-16-2012, 09:08 AM
I found Moog's master list of all their automotive coil springs, http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/Universal_Coil_Springs.asp
So that I could find / choose something to offset all the steel I'm adding.
I plan on Firestone 4103 airbags for the tongue / pin weight, the change of springs is simply for the hitches and cage.
First I looked up the factory springs for my car, then I found them on Moog's page to see how they specced mine, then I looked at all the others with similar specs.
If you want to follow along, my front springs will be the 5664, and my rear springs will likely be the CC659. Note that the 5664s are normally used for the IROC-Z convertible with the iron-head 5.7L with A/C and automatic. Pretty much a stock replacement for my '84 Trans Am.
If you want to compare rears, mine probably has the 5665, while that IROC-Z convertible I just referenced had the CC635.