Introducing - Project 1/2-TRAK

[Damn True]

No thanks.

[Damn True]

Que suspenseful music..........


The 3-link install begins.


Step one, the front x-member.

Take a minute to perve out on Matt's welding.....it's a shame it'll be covered up....not to mention it'll have to spend the rest of it's days next to my slipshod hack welds.







Start by using the all-thread to lift the x-member into position. Ensuring it is level f/r and l/r with the angle finder.



The first place to make contact is the center of the trans tunnel.

MORE HOLES!!!



Lift a bit more and the front trailing arm mount boss makes contact with the torque boxes.



The floor is two layers of steel here. This was tough to cut exactly vertical because all the goofy curves and angles in the sheet metal made it tough to keep track of the correct axis.

Sneaking up on it little by little....







In that last one there you can see I've started to work my way down the sides of the tunnel as well.

Something of a gap in my photo taking.....skip ahead, skip ahead, skip ahead....





Just clamped in at this point. I still need to clean up the edges and weld.

[67SSDan]

Nice work man!

Dan

[796spdbu]

Hell yeah!! looking good!

[LowBuckX]

thread added to my favs

[GHOSTDANCER]

Looking good

[zman1969]

man I get annoyed because breaks at work or when I get to the office almost an hour early is my time to surf BUT it blocks almost all the pictures so if I remember when I get home and can see the pics make me more mad about work- anyway now I'm home and can see the progress I have to says keep going! and its a mazing how much of the original GM Pink panther paint is still on her


wish I had my car near to work on, but then its been like 103-104 the last few days makes me realize I have to get A/C in my garage soon - great work and keep us posted please

[Damn True]

Spent the day making teeny-tiny fill pieces to put in the gaps where the fit was too loose for my liking then got it tacked in on the interior side.

Got too hot in the garage to continue and dinner was ready anyway.

Should be able to get it fully welded in with about another 3 or so hrs work. Then I can start on the install of the rear x-member that supports the watts link.

[parsonsj]

Nice work!

I remember cutting my floor out for my 3 link. Those were good days.

Keep enjoying the journey.

jp

[Damn True]

Update:

Tacked in the front x-member a week or so ago. Not sure why I didn't get an update in then. Life interrupted I suppose. Lamenting the sad fact that Matt's beautiful work should have to spend eternity nuzzled up next to my crappy welds.







Then I was able to get crackin on the rear x-member which also provides the support structure for the watts link.

Began by using the axle centerline marks that I'd put on the fenders prior to removal of the OE rear suspension to provide a datum to measure from:



Then measured back from that datum point 5-3/8" to the spot that will be the front of the rear x-member. Then used the back edge of the x-member to mark my rear-most cut line.

Hmm, don't have a photo of the hole. I do enjoy cutting big holes in the car for some reason....not sure why.

Anyway, here are some photos of the rear x-member just clamped in place. I have a couple of questions that I hope Mark, James, Matt or Katz can answer and one for Alan as well. But first, the pics:



















So, the questions:

Mark, James, Matt or Katz:
Will the trunk floor be welded to that x-member where it makes contact? Or will I cut it further back and join it to the fill panel once its trimmed to fit?

[eville]

mmmmmmmm dead guy
nice 3 link too

[Damn True]

mmmmmmmm dead guy
nice 3 link too

I.D.F.A.


Thanks.

[bingham72]

That looks sick!!! Now I'm going downstairs to get to work.

[larknut]

What's going on with this build? I am patiently awaiting progress.

[Damn True]

Vacation, home projects and work has been NUTS for the last few months.

Really jonesing to get back to work on it. Hope to get a better handle on things soon.

I really appreciate the interest. Thanks for asking!

[ZZ427]

Can't wait to see this done .

[Damn True]

You and me both buddy.

[Steve68]

I just hate when life gets in the way!!!

Don't worry True your not the only one, I only need mains and rod bearings for a complete LSX engine build!!!

but where's the TIME, tonights Science Fair data and soccer............... oh , the car, I pass it when I walk through the garage!!!! BUT, I did have a great summer surfing with the girls!!!

[Steve68]

been a month, I've been cleaning up getting ready for more cutting/welding, what have you done?

[Bryce]

awesome, looking at your post just remotivated me to work on my car. It has been 3 weeks since i built something for my car.

I really mark's 3 link. That was the motivation to build my own.