67 Firebird re-birth

[67GTO4SPD]

Your GTO would look out of this world good with them, IMO!

[67rstbkt]

Minor update: Factory rear end is out, along with the suspension - what was left of it anyways. I borrowed a jig and will be cutting up the 9 inch soon, then it's onto assembling the ridetech 4 link

[67rstbkt]

Got the Ford cut up and narrowed. Next step is to measure for the new axle lengths, decide on ring and pinion, and mock up the brakes.

[captainofiron]

looking good man!

[67rstbkt]

looking good man!

Thanks!

[72blackbird]

Joe,
I finally got to see your whole build from the start- very awesome. I can't wait to see the 18" US Mag Bandits on the car- it's gonna look very cool, especially with the factory Rally II caps.

Geno

[67rstbkt]

Thanks Geno!

Another small step complete; I cleaned up the housing and painted it. I'm using U-bolts to fasten the lower link plate from ridetech. I think I could have just bolted it, especially with how substantial the welds are, but for some reason I decided to stick with the U-bolts. I guess I just like making things more difficult than they need to be. I had to use 3.25" U-bolts to match the axle tube. The leaf spring perches are for a stock GM setup, so I had to enlarge the holes a bit to get everything to fit.

[67rstbkt]

Update Time

Finally got the rear end installed after figuring out all the measurements (with help from forum members, of course )

So here is what I have done:

Ford 9", narrowed it myself, had a buddy do final welding

ridetech 4 link installed, I used nuts and bolts instead of the cheesy self tappers for the majority of the connections. A piece of wire welded to the nut helped me hold the nuts in place inside the frame rails.

98-02 F-body rear brakes installed; figured out a 2.5" offset works well for them. I should have used the flush mount GM ends from Moser instead of the standard ones, but removing .105 from the rear of the backing plates solved that issue.

[67rstbkt]

More....

[gordonr1973]

Subscribing.

Amazing work so far...getting lots of ideas rom your build!

[67rstbkt]

Subscribing.

Amazing work so far...getting lots of ideas rom your build!

Appreciate that, Thanks!

[67rstbkt]

Updates - slow going, but getting there. I've been working on improving the gaps between the doors and fenders, as well as the hood gaps. Little tweaks here and there and it's been coming along.. I also stripped the paint off of the doors and started taking care of the few imperfections. Hoping to paint it this year.

[CliffS]

Getting the caps ok can be a pain, looking good Joe!

[captainofiron]

Post up some pics when you have the wheels on the car, Ive been dieing to see a set of big inch Rally IIs on a 67-68 Firebird

[67rstbkt]

Getting the caps ok can be a pain, looking good Joe!

Thanks, and they sure are a pain. It's hard to know at what point to stop and call it good.

[67rstbkt]

Post up some pics when you have the wheels on the car, Ive been dieing to see a set of big inch Rally IIs on a 67-68 Firebird

I'm dying to see it too, lol - I'm a little ways off from tires, probably after I get the paint on there and all buffed. I promise that I will post the pics the minute I get tires on it

[captainofiron]

I'm dying to see it too, lol - I'm a little ways off from tires, probably after I get the paint on there and all buffed. I promise that I will post the pics the minute I get tires on it

hahha

Nice!

somebody over on the PY forums posted up this picture
http://s932.photobucket.com/user/72b...c23e4.jpg.html

[67rstbkt]

hahha

Nice!

somebody over on the PY forums posted up this picture
http://s932.photobucket.com/user/72b...c23e4.jpg.html

That is awesome!! Looks like the Year One setup? I gotta get moving on that paint,lol. Thanks for posting that pic, it'll be my new inspiration

[captainofiron]

That is awesome!! Looks like the Year One setup? I gotta get moving on that paint,lol. Thanks for posting that pic, it'll be my new inspiration

yea those are the Year Ones, but I dont know, something just doesnt look right on those wheels, I like the US Mag Bandit way better

[LSXZ28]

http://s932.photobucket.com/user/72b...c23e4.jpg.html

That is sweet! I think those wheels look perfect on there! Only thing I would change on that car is the hoodscoop...