Project: Ballin' on a budget

[Z06killinSBF]

It would be recommended but I went off pre-determined measurements for the axle and hoped the wheels fit. Luckily my redneck measurements paid off. Hurray for firsts!!

[no go nova]

Love your build you making think I should do rear frame rails on my Nova when I do the mini tub.

[projectPONY]

well I guess luck was on your side then. good job.

I meant to take you up on the offer to come up and check it out, I just couldn't find the time. maybe when my daughter's soccer season starts back up in July I'll find the time. that is, if the offer still stands, of course.

[Z06killinSBF]

Not much to see but a few beers can be had, come on!

Hell ya, cut up the Nova! Step outside the box.

[projectPONY]

Not much to see but a few beers can be had, come on!

sounds like a plan! I'll be in touch. I'm mostly interested in your mini-tub work.

[GrabberGT]

Looks great. I was going to compliment your welding progress until you mentioned someone else did the work. LOL. Glad your back at it. Keep it going.

[srh3trinity]

The new wheels and tires look great. I like the spoiler and where you are going with the taillights too. If you don't mind me asking, can you share how much you have in the 8.8 swap. Is it an Explorer setup? I am really thinking about using one of these with Big-bearing ends and centering up the pinion. Where did you source the axles from or did you have the existing ones shortened and re-splined? You have to get some bearings pressed on too for the BBF ends right?

[Z06killinSBF]

I picked up the explorer rear for $175 at the junk yard. 3.73's, 31 spline, trac loc, disks. Lowfast gave me new backing plates and a short side axle. I had a local shop cut the long tube down to the length to fit the other short axle for $160. So 2 stock right side axles and a cut down tube. I'm using the stock axle ends, they're plenty strong. I believe Lowfast is running 9" brakes on his explorer 8.8 with the stock 8.8 tube ends.

[srh3trinity]

Do you remember the width running the axles you are running?

[LowFast]

Yep, 12" Wilwoods w/ D154 caliper meant for big bearing 9" ends, bolted right up.

[srh3trinity]

I wonder if Tobin's c6 brackets would work. He makes one for Big bearing ends.

[Z06killinSBF]

Do you remember the width running the axles you are running?

I believe it's close to the stock 8" width. Whatever an Explorer rear is minus 3".

[Jetfixr320]

My Explorer 8.8 with 3" removed is, From wheel mounting point to wheel mounting point its 56.5" may be off a little.

[kmcanally]

OK..I am getting a real bad case of the mini-tub fever

PROGRESS!!!!

8.8 is narrowed



new wheels fit perfect





Its sitting on jackstands due to lack of axle bearings, I'll get those soon so I can roll it outside.

[Z06killinSBF]

I took the duck tail off and stuck all the stock pieces back on. It cleaned it up a bit IMO so it may stay like this.

Better view of wheels and tires.

[69*Goat]

Leave the Duck Tail!!!!

It gives it an air of Bad Assness

[GrabberGT]

Leave the Duck Tail!!!!

It gives it an air of Bad Assness

I agree with Goat. Either that or street fighter style chin and decklid spoiler.

http://www.jakesrodshop.com/public_h...t_spoiler.html

Like this one but only on the decklid not to extend over the rear corners.

[Z06killinSBF]

Question: for leaf spring sliders, do I get the Chrysler style or Camaro style? Also, does anyone have suggestions besides the Afco roller bearing sliders?

[Dmaxed]

Nice job on the fab work so far. Makes me want to get back to work on my S10. Since I moved I don't have a shop but hopefully I will fix that soon. I also picked up a 72 Nova and started a thread on it here. I love the Camaro tail lights by the way. Let haters hate.

[stillridin]

Question: for leaf spring sliders, do I get the Chrysler style or Camaro style? Also, does anyone have suggestions besides the Afco roller bearing sliders?

I didn't even know what a slider was till I read your post. I read another post where the guy compared Afco and CMS. They were pretty close. Afco housing was better but CMS had better hardware. Speedy had the afco for 83.00 but just saw amazon had it for 11.00 bucks?Pretty cheap. But 15 lbs.
Hers that link http://www.timskelton.com/lightning/.../leaf_mods.htm