SA 56 build

[Kim57]

Glad you're back at it.
Looks good.
Kim

[BlairmNZ]

Fantastic Build. I have a 55 Task Force and a Series 3 Jag front lying on the floor (arrived last night). I notice you don't seem to have had to notch the top of the frame rail to clear the top A arm mount. Did you move the rails in? I am trying to decide if it I should soft mount or hard mount. As the rails are so wide it does not look like I raise it much more using soft mounts. Have you any profile photos showing how your stance looks?

Sorry for so many questions, but your dash conversion. I assume the main dash shape is fairly symmetrical and once you diced it it all went back together fairly well?

Appreciate any comments.

Thanks Blair

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by BlairmNZ

Fantastic Build. I have a 55 Task Force and a Series 3 Jag front lying on the floor (arrived last night). I notice you don't seem to have had to notch the top of the frame rail to clear the top A arm mount. Did you move the rails in? I am trying to decide if it I should soft mount or hard mount. As the rails are so wide it does not look like I raise it much more using soft mounts. Have you any profile photos showing how your stance looks?

Sorry for so many questions, but your dash conversion. I assume the main dash shape is fairly symmetrical and once you diced it it all went back together fairly well?

Appreciate any comments.

Thanks Blair

We didn't move the rails but it did take a while to get it the position right to avoid any clash.

I'll put a profile shot up later this evening. It look low at the moment as I don't have any shocked in. I have it supported with square tube bolted where the shocks mount.
A friend helped with the dash. It took a few more cuts than I expected as the dash isn't as symmetrical as it looks at first glance.

[Nev68]

Here you go Blair, I am not sure what the final ride height will be.
As mentioned it doesn't have shocks fitted.

[BlairmNZ]

Thanks Nev,

Do you know what height the centre of the cross member is off the floor as it currently sits? Looks good if you can get it to sit as it is when finished.

I need to strip the top A arm off and sit under the chassis to see if I can get it to clear. If you did not move your rails then it must work :-)

Blair

[RockinKees]

Nev, good to see some updates again!
Nice work on the inner fenders!

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Nev, good to see some updates again!
Nice work on the inner fenders!

Thanks, just gotta keep chipping away to keep progressing.

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by BlairmNZ

Thanks Nev,

Do you know what height the centre of the cross member is off the floor as it currently sits? Looks good if you can get it to sit as it is when finished.

I need to strip the top A arm off and sit under the chassis to see if I can get it to clear. If you did not move your rails then it must work :-)

Blair

I am sure I have some close up photos of the ifs and chassis. I'll look for them and send to you if I find them.

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by BlairmNZ

Thanks Nev,

Do you know what height the centre of the cross member is off the floor as it currently sits? Looks good if you can get it to sit as it is when finished.

I need to strip the top A arm off and sit under the chassis to see if I can get it to clear. If you did not move your rails then it must work :-)

Blair

Height at the centre & lowest point of the Jag cross member is 100 mm (4") with 225/60 R15 tyres (but I suppose it would be exactly the same as a Jag )

[Nev68]

Blair, I am not sure if this photo will help but have a look anyway.
If you need any further information just ask and I will assist where I can.

You can see there is not much clearance, but there is clearance
.

[BlairmNZ]

Originally Posted by Nev68

Blair, I am not sure if this photo will help but have a look anyway.
If you need any further information just ask and I will assist where I can.

You can see there is not much clearance, but there is clearance
.

Excellent. Travelling this week, but looking forward to having a measure up when I get home. Thanks for your help. Blair

[Nut Case]

Nev, just read your thread, I had started an online computer support company, going great. Then the Google B!+(h banned my business. Long story short lost boo koo bucks. So I'm starting over again. Thought I would share this "Life Sucks and then You Live!" Didn't mean to Hi-jack this thread, I was just getting started on a 57 GMC C-4 496 BBC. No I'm on perma hold. Maybe be able to get rolling by the end of the year, great to see the LH drive to RH drive. I Spent about a month in Manchester several years back driving on the wrong side of the road cause me a lot of fear and discord. Keep on keepin on. Nut Case

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by Nut Case

Nev, just read your thread, I had started an online computer support company, going great. Then the Google B!+(h banned my business. Long story short lost boo koo bucks. So I'm starting over again. Thought I would share this "Life Sucks and then You Live!" Didn't mean to Hi-jack this thread, I was just getting started on a 57 GMC C-4 496 BBC. No I'm on perma hold. Maybe be able to get rolling by the end of the year, great to see the LH drive to RH drive. I Spent about a month in Manchester several years back driving on the wrong side of the road cause me a lot of fear and discord. Keep on keepin on. Nut Case

Hi Nutcase,
Good luck with the 57. I look forward to seeing some updates when you get back into it.
You know even though my 56 had to stop for a while due to my job situation (i.e. lack of a job ) I ended up getting a couple of great opportunities I never would have been exposed to.
Now I think I am in a better position from a life perspective and as a result I can get back into my build (even though I am very busy now).

I know what you mean about driving on the other side of the road.
My wife and I spent 3 months in the US (best vacation ever) and it was a little daunting driving on the other side of the road for the first few days.

[BlairmNZ]

Hi Nev

Getting closer to grabbing the cutting wheel and getting stuck in on mine. The photo was great thanks. Did you notch the cross member of the frame? I meet a guy in Hamilton last week who had his very low and had cut the frame away.

Looking at the wheel in the arch it looks like you have used the original centre line? Or did you sneak it forward a little.

Regards Blair

[Nev68]

Sorry I took so long to get back to you Blair.
Now I have a job it is taking up lots more time (probably a good thing as those bills don't stop)

Here are some more photos of the front end.
To be honest I don't remember if we notched the frame, it was so long ago.
I do remember we kept the wheel base as per standard.

Looking toward front on drivers side



Looking from above (driver side) i.e. Right hand side



Driver side looking toward the rear



Driver side


Just ask if you need any more photos.

[RockinKees]

Sorry to break in Nev68!

@ BlairNZ:
There are a few who uses Jaguar IFS and IRS.
I have it done too, from page 7 on my build.
About the same as Nev68 has done this.
My IFS is 3/4" more to the front, to get the wheel better alined, but I have a '59, don't know if that makes a different.

The more you know, the better you get

[steampunk c1]

Great info guys I to are working on xj front and rear ifs into 55 long bed. I plan on doing a bolt in so will post pics when I have the body off the frame in a few weeks.

[BC Toy chest]

Nice work please keep the photos coming truck looks GR8.

Nev believe it or not there are a few here in the USA that convert their rydes to right hand drive too. Here's one example I took pics of recently here in my city Los Angeles.

[Nev68]

What do they use to convert to Rh drive? Jag or something else?
I have a Lh drive 68 Camaro that I don't mind driving on the Lh side of the road, not sure I would be a good passenger though.