65 mod project build (ordered parts)

[351w_swap]

I thought maybe you guys would like to see what the parts ordered look like for reference. I also bought some new tools to help out which were long overdue purchases.

yes, those brackets are 1.4 inch.

Some of my better looking welds, not perfect but I am satisfied. Those are 14 ga frame boxes to connect my front frame rails to the subframe connectors.

 

[BlackGMC]

I like the new cut off saw.


This is a nice piece.

 

[351w_swap]

That is my sway bar, it is really cool. I cant wait to get it installed but I'm not sure exactly how to install it, it might have some clearance issues with the cross bar for the coilovers.

I have wanted that chop saw for the last 2 years and finally decided to just buy it because I could afford it (sort of).

 

[BlackGMC]

I wish I had one, I am using my Mitor saw, and basically cutting metal with it has basically ruined it.

OH did you see my post about the brakes?

 

[351w_swap]

I did, I wanted to do the explorer brakes for the simple reason that it stays ford, plus for 350 i can get a complete brand new ford racing explorer kit. I will keep that open as an option though.

 

[BlackGMC]

Is the emergenery brake on the explorers a drum setup inside the disc hat?

 

[68FBJJZ109]

Yes it is a drum setup within the disk.

 

[351w_swap]

Well, I made a little progress in the last couple of days. I have been tied up in school work until now but it is finally finals week so instead of studying I have been working on my car. I ended up putting holes in the wrong place (oops) I guess I just made some more work for myself. Here is some pics.

These are a couple of pieces I made to smooth out the back of the frame rails and provide a mounting point for the bottom of the four link cross bar. They are not done yet but almost. You can see where they will go in the last picture.

 

[BlackGMC]

lookin good, that is alot of fab work.

 

[351w_swap]

lookin good, that is alot of fab work.

I wouldn't have dug so deep into this project if I didn't enjoy fab work. I'm pretty excited, I went to this shop across the street from my house today. It is really a one man shop and he is really nice. I told him about my project a couple weeks ago and he got all excited. He helps me in bending and shearing when I need it and he is going to let me use a big pipe he has laying around to bend the driveshaft tunnel around. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what I would use to bend it but now I have that figured out.

 

[BlackGMC]

interesting idea using the pipe. The only way I could figure out trying to bend something like that was to use the ribs that I attached to the subframes. I thought about making a tunnel out of wood and bending the sheet over it, and I even tried it but when I did the metal always bend back a few inches and that was with a small piece. Maybe using some heat from a torch would help. Man I wish I had a slip roll sometimes (I think it is called that).

 

[351w_swap]

A rubber mallet and two 200+ pound guys should be able to massage it all into the shape I desire.

 

[BlackGMC]

that should work. I am only 160 pound and doing it myself so you can probably see my frustration. Are you going to roll som beads in it before or after?

 

[BlackGMC]

Oh something I just thought of, when you lay that sheet over the pipe to bend it you might want to weld some round tubing to the edge that way you dont get waves on the sheet metal, so you could bend it uniformly. I am assuming your going to cut a pie shaped piece, that way you could make like a V with the round bar. Just a thought..

 

[351w_swap]

I am rolling beads after I bend it. I am actually going to put a transmission hump in it afterwards so I will be bending one big rectangular sheet including the driveshaft tunnel and the floor pans all in one. I will then piece in the firewall and when I get a transmission I will form the hump and peice that in too.

 

[BlackGMC]

Made any progress? I really haven't but I should be fired back up by next weekend hopefully. I was doin some research and I was wonder what tranny you are going to go with? I was orginally going to go with a t56, but now I am thinking of a tko-600. From the research I have done the tko has a better gear spread for racing and a 5th gear that is inbetween the 5th and 6th of a t-56. The way I figure it if I go with a tko I don't have to run such a high rear end gear. Plus the tko is cheaper. Any thoughts?

 

[351w_swap]

I have made some progress but I feel like I have been in a rut for the last two days, all I have been able to do is weld, weld, and weld. I am still working on smoothing out those pieces for the back of my frame and I welded up some peices to allow for an exhaust through the seat pan area. I will try to get up some pics tomorrow or monday, by then I should have the seat pans done and the rear of the frame finished, and maybe even welded into place and the four link welded up.

I originally just wanted a t5 cause it was cheap but then as time went on, I realized that the t5 couldn't handle my current power let alone what I hope to build this time around. I then started looking into the t56 and the tremec 500/600/900. If I was going the tko route I would probably get the 900 because I aspire to make close to 800 hp out of a twin turbo 408 but the viper spec t-56 has a better gear spread than the tko line as well as more than enough strength. The 900 is about the same price as the t-56. I will be running 3:50 gears with either trac loc or a spool. I think I will be going with the t-56 but if I am misinformed, I am hoping someone will correct me. It will be awhile before I need the transmission so I am sure I will do more research on the topic before then.

 

[68stang351]

You guys gotta stop. You're making me jealous. I wish I had the money to build one like that.

Very cool. Keep us updated.