Build Thread My 1986 T-top Build - Lasting Memories

[Davedacarpainter]

Who's up? It's 6:28 and I'm still sitting in my chair relaxing. Kind of nice taking a little break.

Can't get use to this though, have to complete the mission. A driving Doby!

But for the next half hour, not so much.

I'm going to finish blocking the engine bay this morning before everyone is up, I might see how far I get along on prepping the rest of the bay for paint too.

 

[old_blue]

Playing fire when you work on your car on a holiday lol. Im up but not so happy about it.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Playing fire when you work on your car on a holiday lol. Im up but not so happy about it.

Yeah, truthfully I've been sitting on my ass since I got up reading as much as I can about what I will do on my mini-tub.
I just heard the shower start, means the old lady is awake......may not get to spend time on the car after all. Oh well......

 

[RaggedGT]

Did you get in the shower too? Lol just kidding buddy.
Happy Easter

 

[Davedacarpainter]

You know @madmike1157 , I'm thinking my tubbing will be pretty easy compared to yours or @awilli93coupe 's mini tubbing.

Man, y'all had some tight spaces to work in!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I went to lowe's and bought my mini-tubbing kit today, all it requires is some assembly I'm told.

We swapped out a frame on a Tahoe at work recently, I'm going to cut off a couple feet of it to use to make my frame notch/bracing. It's a heavy duty steel, more so than those little fox frames. My paranoia about notching the frame will result in a really tough reinforcement.

So, total cost for the mini-tub ought to be about $17. I could've made it cheaper by cutting up some of the old metal for the tubbing strip, but what the heck, let's go big!

 

[stykthyn]

I shudder to think what a collision shop would charge to swap a frame on a Tahoe.

 

[Boosted92LX]

I'm looking forward to seeing this.

 

[stykthyn]

I went to lowe's and bought my mini-tubbing kit today, all it requires is some assembly I'm told.

We swapped out a frame on a Tahoe at work recently, I'm going to cut off a couple feet of it to use to make my frame notch/bracing. It's a heavy duty steel, more so than those little fox frames. My paranoia about notching the frame will result in a really tough reinforcement.

So, total cost for the mini-tub ought to be about $17. I could've made it cheaper by cutting up some of the old metal for the tubbing strip, but what the heck, let's go big!

Are you going to relocate the shock mount? Looks like you might have room to notch the tub around it maybe?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I shudder to think what a collision shop would charge to swap a frame on a Tahoe.

I can find out.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Are you going to relocate the shock mount? Looks like you might have room to notch the tub around it maybe?

Yes sir.

Similar to @madmike1157 red mustang, it's all just shifting inboard.

I have a couple things I'll do differently, but essentially mike's idea.

I am going to adjust the lower shock mount as well while I have it off to do the tubbing, I'll finally get to put new parts on the vehicle then! I'll be building the rear end while I do the tubbing as well.

I've spent a bit of the day under Doby measuring today, with my new LCAs, I can have up to 15" of clearance for the wheel/tire combo. Though I haven't taken into account the rear area of the frame yet, you know how it bends outboard as it goes by the tub area.

Fun stuff to consider.

My next purchase will be my coilovers, I'm pretty excited about that.

Got any opinions on a new diff cover? I will be putting an MM panhard bar as I get closer to the street. I understand I need to consider the thickness of the cover.

 

[stykthyn]

What's wrong with the stock cover?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

What's wrong with the stock cover?

It's not pretty enough!

 

[stykthyn]

Color match it to your car

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Color match it to your car

That or the gray in the gt stripe on the hood?

 

[stykthyn]

I think anything gray will disappear downstairs.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I think anything gray will disappear downstairs.

Yeah, maybe so. Maybe red with GT letters in grey?

 

[stykthyn]

Do like this guy

 

[B.erazo712]

I will be putting an MM panhard bar as I get closer to the street.

The MM panhard bar has a shock mount on it, so you might wanna wait moving that mount.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Do like this guy

Waaayyyy too much talent for me!