B Body stiffening

[Darius]

Now the fun begins - or so they say.

Yep...$199 here, $225 there....jeeez, I sure hope THAT part is over soon. Actually, I think I have just about everything save some fasteners and clips and such. Final assembly starts today!

 

[monroegtx]

Excellent work Darius, looking forward to seeing it all together.

 

[Darius]

Got the calipers on today to see how close the clearance was to the wheels. I was sweating it because they rubbed the inside of the 17's that I was using during fab work. I have about 1/4" so it is good. The 17's with 225 55 tires look ok too I think. Not too big. I wish there was a bigger selection of 17 tires. The wheels are 8" wide.
Can't wait to get some weight in it to see how it settles.

 

[john28ryr]

As many readers have probably done along the way, I clicked on this thread to get some info on body stiffening (starting work on a '69 RR) - I had no idea that this build would be so amazing.

I also have an LX ('06 Daytona) so it is really cool to see the melding of the new and old here.

Possibly the best thread I have ever read on a car forum

Good luck with the reassembly!!

 

[Darius]

Made some progress this past week. Seems like everything I go to re-install has some issue. Why is it so hard for things to work the same when all you did was remove to paint and replace in same spot???? Still fun though.
I picked up my driver seat today, I am very happy with the work. The headrest is at the embroidery shop having "GTX" logo sewn in.
Dash went back in ok but struggled mightily with the steering column. I had the thing turning with ease with one finger and it took us 3 hours to get it there again?????? Works awesome now.
I started installing my March Serpentine pulley kit today. I should finish it tomorrow. I will definitely post pics of that, it is cool!
I also bought a wiper gasket/seal refurbish kit from some vendor, can't remember which now, but the black neoprene round seals were a joke. They tore the minute I applied the slightest pressure to get them stretched over the shaft. So I went to Home Depot and bought a gardening kneeling pad. Very similar texture actually a bit more dense but very form-able. Dean has a gasket punch kit so we made our own with better material. That is what the pic of stuff on the bench is.

 

[es1758]

Looking good great work. I love that seat but could never own anything that clean, as my wife says it "You could ruin a nice set of clothes in your sleep" so eveything I get has to be black.

Keep up the great work man looks awesome!

 

[Darius]

Got the brake and fuel lines installed, all stainless steel

- - - Updated - - -

I'll not listen to anyone complain about wiring harness' ever again!

 

[5.7 hemi]

That is gonna be disgustingly sick!!

 

[Darius]

I just had to sit this in there to see how it looks. Decided I'm going to clear coat the dash. It brings that flat blue very close to the B-7 like color they used in the day.

Got the massive wire harness routed and am busy deleting stuff I don't need from it. Not as bad as I thought it would be.Dean is doing most of that work so easy for ME to say

 

[Darius]

Engine on Alterktion

- - - Updated - - -

My 5.7's FINAL resting place (finally!)


Went right in as it should seeing as how we had it in already, however, we did not have the transmission dip stick on it during mock up. It fits with about the thickness of a piece of paper against the hump. I could have raised the hump a bit more I suppose, always something.

 

[daytona kid]

Unbelievable! A true work of art! :headbang:

 

[conv67bdere]

How COOL Darius . . . So that's what my car "could" look like when the Hemi gets installed . . . WOW . . . I like it ! ! !

And I know what you mean about a wire harness . . . had mine connected to my engine when I got it . . .

Boy does that look NICE ! ! !

 

[TekHousE]

@Darius

Can I ask how much you expect this car to 'owe' you once it's done? I am guessing this is a big dollar build. It's awesome for sure, but I just wonder what it all cost.

 

[Darius]

@Darius

Can I ask how much you expect this car to 'owe' you once it's done? I am guessing this is a big dollar build. It's awesome for sure, but I just wonder what it all cost.

I have been keeping a list of expenditures all along but I have not tallied it up .( don't want to know I guess) There are also entries for items it sold off the 3 cars I started with. It is absolutely up there, way past anything I was thinking when I started and that was 50-60 k. I personally have got to have somewhere between 1500-2000 hours in it. Keep in mind I never even welded ANYTHING before I started this project nor have I ever done much with cars period. I was always too busy doing remodeling and cabinet making. If you added my time, at a shop helpers rate even, I am sure the total would be well over 150 k. The guy who is so graciously helping me and who's shop we are building in says if someone wants one like it "Give me $100k to start and I will tell you when I need more".
I am absolutely positive it could have been 25-30k LESS had I started with a really nice rolling shell. There are only 5 original pieces of metal left on the car I started with it was that bad once it was medial blasted. Total novice mistake.

 

[Donny]

One word; WOW!

 

[HYRDGOON]

It's good you're keeping the running totals Darius at some point when it's all said and done you'll want to see what your total investment is.... just know this though.... it's worth it!!

 

[440ronnie67]

painless has an app for that!

 

[TekHousE]

I have been keeping a list of expenditures all along but I have not tallied it up .( don't want to know I guess) There are also entries for items it sold off the 3 cars I started with. It is absolutely up there, way past anything I was thinking when I started and that was 50-60 k. I personally have got to have somewhere between 1500-2000 hours in it. Keep in mind I never even welded ANYTHING before I started this project nor have I ever done much with cars period. I was always too busy doing remodeling and cabinet making. If you added my time, at a shop helpers rate even, I am sure the total would be well over 150 k. The guy who is so graciously helping me and who's shop we are building in says if someone wants one like it "Give me $100k to start and I will tell you when I need more".
I am absolutely positive it could have been 25-30k LESS had I started with a really nice rolling shell. There are only 5 original pieces of metal left on the car I started with it was that bad once it was medial blasted. Total novice mistake.

Yeah I expected those sorts of figures.

I hear you on the starting point. Would have been better using a more solid base car.

I can live vicariously through you doing this build, there is no way I could ever hope to do something like this.

 

[snakeyes]

wow haven't been on in awhile and I just wet my self its looking very goooooooooooood !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:headbang:

 

[Kern Dog]

Love that color!
I haven't been following the build as closely as others, but the work looks impressive. I like the holes in the trans crossmember for exhaust routing. Should allow some decent ground clearance for street use, huh?