Build Thread My 1986 T-top Build - Lasting Memories

I may have some strongly anal tendencies Mike.
I will have to seam seal around the rear wheel wells. I can see the garage floor through the seam back there.
Besides, thirty years from now when my son decides he wants to restore this vehicle I want him to have to do the same thing. He should have never peed all over me when I changed his diaper as a baby.
 
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One of my favorite CT's now :-) Be proud-takes awhile to earn a CT lol
 
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my wife isn't feeling too good today, so she is laying down, what, oh what should I do with my time? Weld up some holes on the shock tower and frame rail, that's what!
Obviously I haven't finished grinding the welds around the panel yet. I can only take half hour breaks to the garage right now.
Two things:
1. I included a picture of my grinder with a grinding disc I have never used before. That multiple layer sandpaper wheel is so much nicer than a regular grinding disc. Much quieter and a cleaner grind. and
B. I finally got the welder figured out, I wasn't running nearly enough gas to lay a blanket across the weld. It's so much easier and much prettier welds. I looked up a boiling bead problem on Google, and BAM, there it was.
Modern technology really is a good thing.
So, I figure this week while I let the POR 15 dry, I should get back after smoothing the engine bay. Maybe next weekend I'll be able to put filler on them and primer them as well.
 
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Soooo.....I did a little more tinkering.....
I'll have to pull my master cylinder back out. Too many holes there too.
Just got to trim the Scott Rod piece and throw it in there, THEN, I'll be done.....with this part.....no to the tubbing....I mean it.....
 
Hey....
I made a promise like 4 pages back- that I wouldn't bring up that Super Awesome,No Draw backs,Major car Improving suggestion up again... And I have not :p
Actually, I wouldn't mind doing it, but @A5literMan made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Thereby tying up anything like extra funds until early April. I'm not complaining, Todd is a good man luckily with a fondness for '86 foxes.
So, by then I hope to have Doby repainted and actually work on putting things back ON the car!
Besides, I have a little engine barely making 340 at the crank, so if I lie a little I can say 300 at the tires:poo:. With 285's, I'll probably hook up nicely. Though I have to admit, 315-335's look really sweet on a fox.
 
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Ok, so you want me to mini-tub, huh? Just taking a look under Doby.
Spring perch and shock tower would need to be moved or eliminated and do coilovers. Or am I mistaken?
@madmike1157 , I will read through the thread you posted. Maybe it answers these issues.
The work on your mustang shows relocating the spring perch, then using coilovers. there is very little room next to the frame to relocated the shock tower, maybe an inch or so.
I'll do more reading, it's my daughters birthday today so I'll need to focus on her for a bit. I will read anything I can though.
Thought this thread could allow knuckleheads like me to learn more from you guys that have done this before.
Is there a way to keep conventional springs with a mini-tub? Maybe that would be considered a micro-tub?
 
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If you aren't going to relocate the shock tower there's no point in tubbing. That's what you're going to have contact with first.
I don't have a problem relocating it, just doesn't seem to be much room to move it to the frame. Maybe an inch at most.
I'm still learning at the moment, so you may need to talk to me like a child on this subject.:doh:
 
I'm curious. Can this be done to a hatch and still keep it in the plastic quarter trim, or does that need to be cut????
 
I'm curious. Can this be done to a hatch and still keep it in the plastic quarter trim, or does that need to be cut????
That's where I'm at. The shock mount either needs to be boxed into the frame or pushed inboard and I think that would ruin any chance of running factory interior parts. If @madmike1157 can shed more illumination here that would be great.
 
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That's where I'm at. The shock mount either needs to be boxed into the frame or pushed inboard and I think that would ruin any chance of running factory interior parts. If @madmike1157 can shed more illumination here that would be great.

Yeah I'd consider it if it'd fit under my plastic, but it would be a sin to cut that car up.

Now the 85 t top....
 
My helper at work and I were talking about that very subject.
This may be a mad scientist idea, but, we thought if you took the plastic trim and essentially mini tub it as well, then covered it with some sort of covering that would match the dash color (using spray adhesive). Sort of like the plastic covering the arm pad in the console has. Maybe no padding though.
We have a "plastic welder" at work, sort-of nifty device. Super glue gun basically.
Since I would cover the entire panel I could put in a new strip of plastic like the metal strip for the tubbing. After it's "welded" in place I could sand it smooth and cover the whole thing.
My interior was red, so it needs to have it's color changed anyhow.
Thought it would be neat to mini-tub and not really have a way for people to easily see it.
 
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My helper at work and I were talking about that very subject.
This may be a mad scientist idea, but, we thought if you took the plastic trim and essentially mini tub it as well, then covered it with some sort of covering that would match the dash color (using spray adhesive). Sort of like the plastic covering the arm pad in the console has. Maybe no padding though.
We have a "plastic welder" at work, sort-of nifty device. Super glue gun basically.
Since I would cover the entire panel I could put in a new strip of plastic like the metal strip for the tubbing. After it's "welded" in place I could sand it smooth and cover the whole thing.
My interior was red, so it needs to have it's color changed anyhow.
Thought it would be neat to mini-tub and not really have a way for people to easily see it.
Curious as to why you'd want to mini tub your car? You can clear 275 tires without a problem.