Project Orange Crate Cuda - 65 Barracuda

[PhillipM]

Looking awesome. Look forward to following along.

[ProTouringCuda]

Weather cooperated yesterday, so I was able to get some epoxy primer on the chassis. First, I mounted it on a couple of engine stands - works great for rotating it to spray the under side, but just doesn't steer very well ;)



Moved it out into the driveway and shot two cups of primer on it.



Now I can start putting the suspension back on in preparation for fitting to the body.

[Bryce]

WOW, looking great!

[ProTouringCuda]

Started putting the front suspension back together so I can get some wheels on this thing. Need to make some ride height coil over replacements next.

The entire front minus coil overs.


UCA


Drivers side assy

[ProTouringCuda]

Just a couple quick shots of the 3rd member. Sprayed it with gray epoxy, then urethane single stage top coat. Color inspiration come from House of Color Molly Orange, which will be the body color.

Rear goes together this weekend and will be hung from the chassis. Front hubs installed this weekend as well, with a goal to get it on all four wheels by the end of the weekend.

[MoparCar]

Looks great! That will be wicked when finished. Just wondering what sold you on the AME GT IFS instead of their C6 based front? Are there advantages for your build?
Thanks-great to see more Mopars.

Wes

[ProTouringCuda]

Looks great! That will be wicked when finished. Just wondering what sold you on the AME GT IFS instead of their C6 based front? Are there advantages for your build?
Thanks-great to see more Mopars.

Well, it started out as a bagged front. However, to get the near 0 camber gain, the arms get real long, and the width between the rails gets very small. So, I wanted to get similar space between the rails while narrowing the front track for fender clearance. Their IFS fit the bill.

[Throttle]

Nice Mopar..

[ProTouringCuda]

Well, was planning on setting the rear end in today, but have reached a snag. Think I have the wrong coilovers. Well, here's some pics of the rear end assembly for documentation:

Bearing, seal and wedding ring pressed on at BorgWarner, installing the lug studs at home.


Used the smaller 4.5" pattern


My 50 year old vice wouldn't hold the axle from spinning while I torqued the studs, so I had to improvise. Locktite RED on the studs as well (that Gel dispenser is awesome)


Small brakes, no?


Yeah, I know, they're the parking brakes


Hat installed


IDK, but I think thats a sexy rear end.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I disagree.... Its a dead sexy rear end...

[ProTouringCuda]

A hard to find NOS quarter for the drivers side. Needless to say, I paid dearly for it.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Wow I bet that was a rare find...

[Jims78elky]

A hard to find NOS quarter for the drivers side. Needless to say, I paid dearly for it.

Nice!

Please place that somewhere safe and away from loose feet,shoes, birds, and cats! lol..That must have cost you some serious $$$$ Great project!


-Jim

[ProTouringCuda]

Worked a bit on the rear end again tonight. Got the rotors attached and safety wired to the hats. Not exactly how Wilwood wants them safety wired, but it'll do the job. Brakes are done, housing filled with 75w140 gear lube, 3rd member torqued, axles torqued, ready to be hung tomorrow.

[Ahdammit]

Loving this,but just one thing-unless the screws are lh thread,the lockwire is being tensioned from the wrong side.
If they are lh thread,ignore this obviously.
Check how the heads are tensioned at the bottom of this link,stops them coming loose-
http://www.link.com/pdfs/lms13-5.pdf

[ProTouringCuda]

You know, I looked at that safety wire pattern and convinced myself that it was OK. Wilwood actually gives a similar diagram with their assy instructions. The issue I had is that to get the wire in the fastener vertically is nearly impossible given the limited space between the hat and rotor. But now I see the important part - not whether its vertical or not, but where the wrap is on the fastener.

See, that's the great thing about his forum...

[Ahdammit]

That's it,you've got it.
I felt a bit guilty about raising the issue,but I'd hate for anything bad to happen.
You're doing a great job,keep at it.

[ProTouringCuda]

I felt a bit guilty about raising the issue,but I'd hate for anything bad to happen

So I removed all of the safety wire and reinstalled it. Here's what it looks like now - better I think. I'm not a professional builder - this is the first time I'm undertaking something of this magnatude, and as such, I'm bound to make mistakes. But you learn by making mistakes. I appreciate you taking the time to point it out.

[mc84_zz4]

This is going to be a real sick Cuda, I'm going to follow this one.
Great updates! Keep on 'rolling', ba-dam-ptish...
I love the choice of orange too...

[ProTouringCuda]

OK. Time to start putting the front end together to get some wheels on this thing.

Absolutely gorgeous aluminum front hubs from Wilwood.


Bearing packed, lugs installed and torqued, hub installed.


My buddy Samson's not all that interested in my work...


Hat/Rotor and Caliper installed. No pads - just want to make sure everything clears.






Got a little scared there when I put the wheel on the hub for the first time - there was some interference. Turns out I can't run with the Torque Thrust M center caps on the front. Will wind up looking like the Mustang with the Torque Thrust D's!