94 replies to this topic

[jeffs396]

Lookin' GOOD so far Chris!

Nice work on the suspension bits

[Gluhead]

Thanks, guys.

I forgot this one on the last update - pretty close to final ride height...I'll tweak it if necessary once the rear is done.



And now the back...

Usually it's pretty easy to separate the rear end from the leafs or arms because they usually sit on top (or bottom) of the housing. Well, I picked it up to start in on it and guess what? This one isn't molded quite that simple.



Yeah, the easy way out would be to just let the angle of the arms be all whack. I'm all for easy, but that'll just look...well...kinda bad. So after I scratched my head for a minute I grabbed a p/e saw blade and made the easy cuts into the housing. Once I'd reached the limit of what I could get to with that, I stuck a tiny drill bit into the drem and started boring through between the housing and arms. Once there are enough holes, it's easy enough to clear them out with the same bit...just gotta be real careful with how much material is attacked while doing side to side movements with a bit that's thin as wire - I knew I'd break at least one, so I used old ones that I'd already cracked the tip off...good thing, because I ended up snapping two before I was done. lol.





Once removed and everything was all cleaned up, a couple pieces of strip stock sandwiched together makes the new lowering blocks. These'll get trimmed/shaped to match the remaining part of the bracket, still on the housing, and if it's still not low enough now I've got a good base to add shims.



More in a bit.

[Gluhead]

Blocks cleaned up...



Boinnngggg!



I trimmed down the spring pockets and replaced the crossmember. The kit one was very bulky, and was getting in the way of the rear end.



Since it's just sitting there dry-fit it's a little higher than it should be, but it's not all that far off from final ride height. Wheels got a little off center as well, but they're good when things are snug.

[MachinistMark]

Looks good! I did the drop on mine similar.. I raised the upper a arms 1/4 of an inch (6 scale inches) and moved the lowers to suit. I then cut off the spindles and re glued them straight up to correct the wonky camber

[Fat Brian]

Wow, now I have to buy another one for a period custom, dang.

[Foxer]

That sits nice .. the springs look fantastic!

[Tom Kren]

nice job so far im now at the point of lowering it thanks for the tip!

[H.A.K]

Kool.

[sbk]

Looking good! Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely use them when I get one.

[Gluhead]

Thanks, guys...much appreciated.

Paint is starting to fly over here. I need to decide what mill to drop in it while stuff is drying. The 303 is too nice to have a hood over it...that's going in a hot rod!

[Droppedgmc]

Looks Good!

[vintagedragfan]

awesome start Glue head! this will be cool!

[Tom Kren]

DID YOU ADD TO THE FRONT SPINDLES TO LOWER IT? LOOKS LIKE YOU DID BUT HARD TO SEE. ALSO CUT MY BACK AND WAS A EASY JOB GOT MINE SITTING LOW IN REAR JUST GOT TO GET THE FRONT FINISHED!

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking good low like that.

[Draggon]

Looks great with that lowered stance and your great hubcaps!

[Michigan Madman]

Where'd you pick your Olds up from? Don't say Ed... apparently his supplier isn't getting them for another month.

[ll Brandon ll]

Looking really good, bro. Keep at it!

[MachinistMark]

Thanks, guys...much appreciated.

Paint is starting to fly over here. I need to decide what mill to drop in it while stuff is drying. The 303 is too nice to have a hood over it...that's going in a hot rod!

Well come on then let's see the colour!!!

[G Holding]

I love the nose down attitude, with the wheels...Perfect!!

And why not use the 303 ? I'm sure you can make the hood hinges scale......

[Gluhead]

DID YOU ADD TO THE FRONT SPINDLES TO LOWER IT? LOOKS LIKE YOU DID BUT HARD TO SEE. ALSO CUT MY BACK AND WAS A EASY JOB GOT MINE SITTING LOW IN REAR JUST GOT TO GET THE FRONT FINISHED!

Hey Tom...Yeah, I added about 3/16" to them and redrilled an 1/8" higher. I see you've already got yours sorted out...can't wait to see it all finished up. I ended up making new ones, though, and bringing the front back up just a bit. It was sitting too street machine for the rest of the style. Looks a lot better on this one leveled out to only a slight nose down rake.

Where'd you pick your Olds up from? Don't say Ed... apparently his supplier isn't getting them for another month.

Toe lee doh! My brother and his wife, and my son and I ended up deciding to go at the last minute. I got this and a couple sets of truck tires/wheels from Modelhaus, plus another set of truck wheels from Missing Link. That is by far the least I have ever bought at that swap...but I couldn't wait to get my hands on this kit.

Edited by Gluhead, 20 October 2012 - 01:29 AM.