78 downlow-littledough

[cooperhw]

Finally was able to get back in the garage and get some work done on downlow-littledough.
Trimmed the belly after installing a piece of 2" X 4" tube steel. Moved out back today and was able to get the c-notch installed. Ran out of gas, so clean up on the welds will have to wait for next weekend. Also got the front a-arms cupped for the bags to sit in a little lower. Will have to get some pics of that later on.
Anyhow, a little bit at a time.

[cooperhw]

few more

[cooperhw]

Well slowly but surely I am gaining ground (I think). I finally got finished slicing and dicing on the frame and am in the process of going back together. I trimmed off the leaf spring hangers and spring perches off the axle tubes.
I got to finally roll the rear end under the frame and sit her down.
It is resting firmly on the bottom of the trimmed frame rail (2" X 3" box tube). I still have about 3 inches under the crossmember, but the lower a-arms and not on yet. Anyhow, the front of the frame the core support sits on has about 1/2" clearance.
So, I know you all like pictures.

[cooperhw]

more,

[cooperhw]

last but not least,

[cooperhw]

How could I forget.
Bought a new heart and lungs for the old girl. So much for "littledough".
Having trouble loading pictures of them right now.
It's 2002 LS-1 with a T-56 6 speed manual transmission. Came out of a 2002 Camaro with 78,000 miles.

[cochino12]

Sub'd

[cooperhw]

Transplant to come soon.

[hewittca]

Lookin' good so far. What are your plans for the bed floor?

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by hewittca

Lookin' good so far. What are your plans for the bed floor?

Thanks hewittca. As to the bed floor; IDK. I know so far I will be installing another set of wheel tubs to accommodate more tire. Going over the C-notch will just be a matter of cutting out the area that the notches comes into contact with, and after the bed is mounted back in place I will probably raise the bed floor.
My method of dealing with sheet metal is to just cut it away and then patch it back in where it fits over whatever I stuck in the way. I have no qualms with cutting into sheet metal and welding it back.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Thanks hewittca. As to the bed floor; IDK. I know so far I will be installing another set of wheel tubs to accommodate more tire. Going over the C-notch will just be a matter of cutting out the area that the notches comes into contact with, and after the bed is mounted back in place I will probably raise the bed floor.
My method of dealing with sheet metal is to just cut it away and then patch it back in where it fits over whatever I stuck in the way. I have no qualms with cutting into sheet metal and welding it back.

Most likely will need to raise the floor just based on driveline angles w/the drivetrain 6" higher vs the cab floor (depending on what does/doesn't get changed further forward).

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Most likely will need to raise the floor just based on driveline angles w/the drivetrain 6" higher vs the cab floor (depending on what does/doesn't get changed further forward).

Agreed. Little slice and dice here and there. No biggie.
My old friend used to say "No step for a Stepper".

[cooperhw]

Well, I got a little bit of work done. I went downtown and had some U-bolts bent so I could start mocking up my trailing arms and bags. Finally got the front control arms back in place. Was able to set my bags in place and check out ride height. Looks like about 4 to 5 inches will be the norm. Tons of clearance at the front control arms and crossmember.

[tinydb84]

How is the driveshaft going to fit??

[cooperhw]

few more pics

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

How is the driveshaft going to fit??

Doesn't look like there is going to be any problem. We'll see.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

How is the driveshaft going to fit??

I am going to have to adjust the pinon angle just a tad though.

[tinydb84]

Looked a bit tight from the pic. Might be the angle.

[rusty76]

So are using a stock truck arm cross member and truck arms?

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So are using a stock truck arm cross member and truck arms?

Yes. I "cupped" the bottom control arm & have a plate across the stock crossmember.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Yes. I "cupped" the bottom control arm & have a plate across the stock crossmember.

That's what you did up front. I read the question as what's going on out back.

It looks like an aftermarket POL or CPP T/A x-member & factory GM truck arms for the rear. But, it seems like your placement of the arms on the rear end will require changes @ the x-member.

[cooperhw]

Oh, ok.

Yeah, out back,
After much (really a lot) deliberation, yesterday I came to the conclusion that the trailing arms off of that 66 were not going to work without major modification (as mentioned) and was just going to looked hacked into place. So, I pulled all of it out and will be installing a triangulated 4 bar set up. I should have done it in the first place, but until I got it into position in my minds eye it would work. Oh well, live and learn.

[rusty76]

It's all good I was just wondering if you were using stock parts or aftermarket.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by rusty76

It's all good I was just wondering if you were using stock parts or aftermarket.

I was hoping to use the stock trailing arms, but not gonna make it as low as this dude is gonna drop.
Went and picked up some aftermarket triangulating bars tonight. Gotta keep plugging along. Two steps forward and (hopefully) one step back. sometimes

[cooperhw]

Ok, now I am feeling better about my decision to scrap the trailing arms. Frame is at ride height. Rear axle at ride height. Top bag bracket will raise up to top of c-notch.

"I'm feeling it".