My Cuda Project Part II...now at Bruning Auto Design

[DRJDVM's '69]

Well it finally looks like my car is back on track, so I figured I would start a new update thread.

The car is now up at Bruning Auto Design, so hopefully I can put this bad experience behind me and move on...

For those of you that dont know already....my car was also at Race Rods at the same time Tony's car was there. We both got screwed pretty bad. For those of you that want to get the whole story, here you go....
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=12659&highlight=cuda+project
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16185
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16771

I got the car back in July 2008 and to put it lightly it wasnt good.... so I put out feelers for other shops and started to salvage what I could myself.

I started off by finnishing up the XV motorsports SFC's...overall decent pieces but they didnt fit that great...had to "massage" the floorboards to get a tight fit....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2352.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2353.jpg

[Blown353]

Given production line tolerances and nearly 40 years of use & abuse on the car, I'd say the profile of the SFC's to the floor is pretty darn good and would expect to have to do a little bit of massaging.

Sounds like the car is in good hands now!

[DRJDVM's '69]

Next was the XV motorsports front lower rad support brace..... rather than a thin piece of sheetmetal like stock, this is a full bent square tube....much beefier.... I dropped it down just alittle to allow for more radiator space too

Then it was on to the front and rear torque boxes....same thing....needed alot of tweaking to get them to fit nice and tight before welding. These are made by Auto Rust Tech and are not "factory correct" in style but are much thicker than original


http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2288.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2362.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2476.jpg


Next on my list was cleaning up alot of the crappy work Chris left behind that I thought I could salvage. He did some real crappy lap welds in several areas, so I closed up the gaps and finnished those areas...

Here's a nice example of his work..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2378.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

And another.... look at that big frickin hole.....it was worse on the other side..so I had to make some small patches...nice work..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2379.jpg

After closing up the gaps and finnishing the lap weld..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2381.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2470.jpg

Then I had to finnish the trans tunnel...same thing...crappy lap welds with huge gaps...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2474.jpg

Then I narrowed the rear seat alittle to clear the minitubs.... everything is just tacked together for now, until I'm sure how it will all fit...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2550.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

More examples of stellar work.....
Chris fixed the driver side rocker but left a huge ass gap... nice...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2188.jpg

Filled the firewall and warped the **** out of it in the process....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2487.jpg

Inner fenderwells......the design I wanted but really bad execution...warped all to hell...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2301.jpg

So then I moved on to some other stuff....
Steering column mock up... of course I had to take my $65 billet mount and cut it to fit the dash opening....its always fun to cut up brand new stuff
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2581.jpg

Vintage Air bulkhead mounted in the fenderwell so I can hide everything
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2576.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

The mock up 6.1 HEMI sitting in place.... very temporary.....still not sure what I'm doing on the motor... I think the turbo budget went out the window.....maybe procharger ...maybe Kenny Bell twin screw....or NA with a "Hilborn" style stacked injection kit...we'll see...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2866.jpg

That pretty much sums up the big stuff.....

TJ, Tim and Gloria from Bruning were nice enough to come look at the car on the way to SEMA and then pick it up on the way back. That gave them a chance to look at the car first hand and give me a "status report" and estimate for work and then saved me time and $$ to haul it up to them. Its in good hands now...... I'm sure TJ will drop in and I'll keep the updates coming.

I also wanted to thank Mike from MuscleRodz and Mario (DOOM) for their offers...

[DRJDVM's '69]

Some of the links are acting wierd..
here are the front torque boxes and rad cross brace..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2288.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_2360.jpg

[Rybar]

Looks pretty good Ned, Looks like you did some pretty decent work yourself. :yes:

And you picked a top notch shop in Bruning Auto Design. :thumbsup:

[rjsjea]

Looking forward to seeing the car Ned, :)

[96z28ss]

you'll be happy with the quality of work that comes out of Bruning Auto Design.

[Hdesign]

Glad to hear Ned, TJ and Tim are top notch! Can't wait to see progress pix!!!

Great seeing you guys last week!:D

[rwhite692]

Huge improvements already, man.

[joe440]

looking good, deffanitly going to be a quality seeing the work they've already done, looking forward to watch this build!

[awr68]

All good to hear!! The Brunings do great work, it will be done 'right' this time!! And it's a fairly short drive to their shop, so I get to see the progress first hand!!

It was nice spending time with you and your wife at SEMA!

[tjbruning]

Thanks for all the kind words guys... and also to Ned and Monet for your hospitality during our stay in Manteca (in addition to working with Bruning Auto Design on your Barracuda of course). :D

Ned definitely got the short end of the stick on this deal and we are excited to make things right. The pictures don't do the car justice... I will post before and after pictures throughout in Ned's build album in the gallery section of our website - www.bruningautodesign.com . This post will also be updated on a regular basis.

Stay tuned... :cool:

[comp-spec]

Looks like the cars in the right shop now.
You won't have to worry about the work your getting now thats for sure
looking forward to seeing the updates
Good for man, you made the right choice

[JohnC]

Congrats on gettin it rollin again, Ned. Where do cuda owners get billet hood hinges like you and terracuda did??

Again congrats! It's now in great hands....I'm jealous.

[tjbruning]

Looks like the cars in the right shop now.
You won't have to worry about the work your getting now thats for sure
looking forward to seeing the updates
Good for man, you made the right choice

Thanks Pete!

Congrats on gettin it rollin again, Ned. Where do cuda owners get billet hood hinges like you and terracuda did??

Again congrats! It's now in great hands....I'm jealous.

John - Your looking at stock hood hinges without the springs. I don't think the Terracuda has billet hinges either. I'm pretty sure they are trimmed down stock hinges without springs.

I heard that XV has something in the works...

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/7933-2/terracudasema_10.jpg

[Musclerodz]

Thanks Pete!



John - Your looking at stock hood hinges without the springs. I don't think the Terracuda has billet hinges either. I'm pretty sure they are trimmed down stock hinges without springs.

I heard that XV has something in the works...

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/7933-2/terracudasema_10.jpg
XV has already put several sets on their in house cars, but have not found them available to the public yet.

[Musclerodz]

Ned you have PM

[JohnC]

XV has already put several sets on their in house cars, but have not found them available to the public yet.

:yes: :yes: :yes:

[lhkustoms]

glad to see your cars in good hands..... Tim and I used to work together and you will be extremely pleased with the quality of work that will be put into your car :thumbsup:
It's ashame the work that some individuals do and try to call themselves professionals. glad to see the project back on track.

[rjsjea]

Your right Luke, it is a shame what some people call professional work

Tim will fix it the way it should have been done the first time. :)

[DRJDVM's '69]

JohnC...yeah I was suprised the Terracuda was using stock hinges. Figured they would have made some one offs...

Anyway....I spoke to the guys at Ring Bros about 6-7 months ago and they are developing some for the Mopars. Talked to Mike Ring at SEMA and they are still in the works but unlikely to be released until summer...you know how that goes....

I spoke with Chris Fesler about 7 months ago too and he was interested in doing them too. I offered my stock hinges as templates and planned on sending them to him, but then got the impression the Ring Bros ones would be done soon, so just decided to wait.

XV has had some on a couple of cars and when I talked to them about 6 months ago they also said they would be available soon....

Guess that just illustrates how hard it is to develope a product and bring it to market. Sounds easy but its a ton of R&D and up front costs....plus the Mopar market is just smaller so companies are more conservative about jumping into it.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Time for some update pix.... you can find more at www.bruningautodesign.com in the gallery

I'm going to try and limit the number of "Chris crap work pix", but there are alot of them......

Nice door gap...Chris replaced the rocker and quarter on this side and left these nice gaps
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-1driverdoorbefore013.jpg
The spoiler....just wasnt done well....didnt blend or flow right...edge too thick...holes everywhere....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-1qtrpanelbefore-spoiler001.jpg
Filled the door handles...warped all to hell..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-1driverdoorpatch-before005.jpg

Gaps were pretty bad...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driversfendergapafter1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2passengerdoorgapbefore4.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Alot of the stuff he did was all warped.....he used MIG for most of it and just didnt control his heat well at all.... alot of the patches improved things but left big waves etc...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-1qtrskinbotch008.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-4barracudafenderbefore014.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-4barracudafenderbefore018.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Now on to the GOOD STUFF.....
Tim has been hard at work getting the body straight in metal as best possible without starting all over again... its a balance between having it turn out nice and not blowing my budget starting from scratch... so far things look SOOOOOOO much better...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driversqtraftermetalwork.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driverssideafter.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driverssidefendergapafter.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-5passqtrintheworks.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driverssidedoorfitmentafter.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2driverssideqtrmetalfinishafter.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-2removedspoiler.jpg

Gaps look way way better
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-4barracudadriverfendergapafter.jpg

Thankfully the old spoiler came off without too much destruction to the quarters etc...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-4barracudapassqtrinprogress.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-4barracudapassqtrmetalworkinprog.jpg

Dont musclecar just look wicked in bare metal !!!!!

Things look great and Tim is doing awesome work... and pretty quick too....

Mike from Musclerodz got my new trunk lid sent out (thanks again Mike), so once that arrives, Tim will start the new spoiler..... Carter is gonna help me design some new inner fenders so once thats done those will be next.....

I couldnt be happier with the guys at Bruning.... the one bad thing..... I have a feeling I'm gonna just keep adding projects to the list while its there... its addicting when you start modifying stuff...

[rjsjea]

[QUOTE=DRJDVM's '69;I couldnt be happier with the guys at Bruning.... the one bad thing..... I have a feeling I'm gonna just keep adding projects to the list while its there... its addicting when you start modifying stuff...[/QUOTE]


Ned, now you know why my car has been there for the last several months!!!

Metal work looks great.....as expected coming from Tim. Talked to him about doing a spoiler on my car too......looking forward to see what you guys come up with

[awr68]

Good deal! Car looks better already! :thumbsup:

[JohnC]

I'm happy for you, Ned. Car looks like it is turning around very nicely.:clap:

[96z28ss]

I was at Bruning the other day and had a chance to look at the Cuda.

Wow is all I can think of. Ned really got screwed on this whole deal at Race Rodz. Dare I say it more than I think Tony got screwed. Tony sent the car down there with the majority of the metal work done. Its clear that there was no sheet metal nor paint talent at Race Rodz.
Check out Bruning's website and the Cuda's gallery. Kids at a high school with shop class could of done better.

Sorry to put the car down Ned. I truly feel for you man.

I know this is a bad time of year with it being Christmas and the economy the way it is, but maybe after the New Year we could all pitch in a bit and help Ned also like we did for Tony.

[fesler]

Our Charger hinges are shipping now we are working on the Cuda right now and other dodge stuff as well. We are working on it and will have them for you guys very soon. they are all in the works

JohnC...yeah I was suprised the Terracuda was using stock hinges. Figured they would have made some one offs...

Anyway....I spoke to the guys at Ring Bros about 6-7 months ago and they are developing some for the Mopars. Talked to Mike Ring at SEMA and they are still in the works but unlikely to be released until summer...you know how that goes....

I spoke with Chris Fesler about 7 months ago too and he was interested in doing them too. I offered my stock hinges as templates and planned on sending them to him, but then got the impression the Ring Bros ones would be done soon, so just decided to wait.

XV has had some on a couple of cars and when I talked to them about 6 months ago they also said they would be available soon....

Guess that just illustrates how hard it is to develope a product and bring it to market. Sounds easy but its a ton of R&D and up front costs....plus the Mopar market is just smaller so companies are more conservative about jumping into it.

[JohnC]

Our Charger hinges are shipping now we are working on the Cuda right now and other dodge stuff as well. We are working on it and will have them for you guys very soon. they are all in the works

Thanks Chris.

John

[Musclerodz]

I know this is a bad time of year with it being Christmas and the economy the way it is, but maybe after the New Year we could all pitch in a bit and help Ned also like we did for Tony.
We already did. I did not feel right contributing to Tony's car without helping Ned out since both were in the same sinking ship. I sent him a brand new deck lid and right quarter patch. Just let me know if i can further help out Ned.

[tjbruning]

I was at Bruning the other day and had a chance to look at the Cuda.

Wow is all I can think of. Ned really got screwed on this whole deal at Race Rodz. Dare I say it more than I think Tony got screwed. Tony sent the car down there with the majority of the metal work done. Its clear that there was no sheet metal nor paint talent at Race Rodz.
Check out Bruning's website and the Cuda's gallery. Kids at a high school with shop class could of done better.

Sorry to put the car down Ned. I truly feel for you man.

I know this is a bad time of year with it being Christmas and the economy the way it is, but maybe after the New Year we could all pitch in a bit and help Ned also like we did for Tony.

Ned definitely got the shaft as well...

Growing list of issues...

-Wheel tubs were butchered; quarter panels damaged (warped) during the process

-The spoiler and deck lid are beyond repair - new deck lid and spoiler in the works

-All the patch work (door handles, marker lights, etc) were warped to hell - poor fitment, bird poo mig welds, not metal finished.

-Hard stone grinding disc used on the quarter skins, firewall, tubs, so there are tons of thin areas with holes

-Inner fenders had over a ½” of bow to them. Seams are lap welded, pieces scabbed over the suspension mounts, poor fitment at the subrails (filled void areas with weld).

-Cowl patches butchered (previous patches cut out and replaced)

-Firewall warped to hell from various patches that were poorly done (cut out and replaced)

-Front core support wasn’t straightened out before the inner fenders were attached (straightened, ready for new inner fenders)

-The car was bent upwards from the sub rails forward (snow plow effect). The front end relaxed over 1/2" once the inner fenders were cut out.

-The tunnel was butchered. Ned worked on it quiet a bit, and we addressed the opening shape during the firewall fab process (smooth continuous radius).

-The rocker replacement on the driver’s side needs to be replaced – bowed, fitment is terrible, lap welded on the bottom.

-Weld seams at the qtr panel to sail panel flange had to be cut out and replaced. The panels weren't lined up before he went to town with the welder. The seams were then ground down with a hard disc, which created thing areas next to the weld. Impossible to metal work the area because of the over abundance of weld even if the metal wasn't so thin around it.

-Driver's side quarter panel alignment at the deck lid was longer than the passenger side (corner structure wasn't supported correctly during the skin install). The shape didn't match either when looking at the car from the back.

New pictures added to the gallery daily. I'm sure Ned will be posting additional pictures as well.

http://www.bruningautodesign.com/gallery.html?g2_itemId=5315

Also, big thank you to Mike from Muscle Rodz for helping Ned out with the new deck lid and patch panel. Ned mentioned that Mario (Doom) has also made a very generous donation when the car is ready for body/paint work.

[tjbruning]

We already did. I did not feel right contributing to Tony's car without helping Ned out since both were in the same sinking ship. I sent him a brand new deck lid and right quarter patch. Just let me know if i can further help out Ned.

Beat me to it! Thanks again Mike! :thumbsup:

[DOOM]

Just let me know when your ready TJ!
Mario

[rwhite692]

Ned, TJ, car looks so much better already...unbelievable how bad the previous work was...

When Ned and I dragged it home from Race-Rods we knew a lot of what we could see was done poorly, but had no idea there were things lurking beneath the surface that were this bad...Yikes!

Ned thankfully you are in good hands now! :thumbsup:

[radrambler]

ned

glad to see your car making a come back.....nice work t.j.
keep the updates coming

tom

[HaulinAsp]

Ned definitely got the shaft as well...

Growing list of issues...

-Wheel tubs were butchered; quarter panels damaged (warped) during the process

-The spoiler and deck lid are beyond repair - new deck lid and spoiler in the works

-All the patch work (door handles, marker lights, etc) were warped to hell - poor fitment, bird poo mig welds, not metal finished.

-Hard stone grinding disc used on the quarter skins, firewall, tubs, so there are tons of thin areas with holes

-Inner fenders had over a ½” of bow to them. Seams are lap welded, pieces scabbed over the suspension mounts, poor fitment at the subrails (filled void areas with weld).

-Cowl patches butchered (previous patches cut out and replaced)

-Firewall warped to hell from various patches that were poorly done (cut out and replaced)

-Front core support wasn’t straightened out before the inner fenders were attached (straightened, ready for new inner fenders)

-The car was bent upwards from the sub rails forward (snow plow effect). The front end relaxed over 1/2" once the inner fenders were cut out.

-The tunnel was butchered. Ned worked on it quiet a bit, and we addressed the opening shape during the firewall fab process (smooth continuous radius).

-The rocker replacement on the driver’s side needs to be replaced – bowed, fitment is terrible, lap welded on the bottom.

-Weld seams at the qtr panel to sail panel flange had to be cut out and replaced. The panels weren't lined up before he went to town with the welder. The seams were then ground down with a hard disc, which created thing areas next to the weld. Impossible to metal work the area because of the over abundance of weld even if the metal wasn't so thin around it.

-Driver's side quarter panel alignment at the deck lid was longer than the passenger side (corner structure wasn't supported correctly during the skin install). The shape didn't match either when looking at the car from the back.
:wow: :faint: :faint: :faint:

Holy Christ ! At least now it is in very capable hands.

[96z28ss]

I didn't know that there have been some site sponsors and kind people that have offered help.
I think this type of info needs to be out here in the forums. No need to be humble and shy about it. Places that step up and help people out will get my business for when I'm looking at buying stuff. We all help each other out and make our Lateral-g community stronger.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Thanks guys..

Mike at MuscleRodz... thank you very much for the trunk lid and patch panel

Mario..... thank you for the offer. Paint is a good 8-10 months away, but I'll call you if the offer stands that far out.

Bob..... thanks for pointing out that in many ways I got screwed way worse that Tony did...but I'm not going to go there.

Tim and TJ... thank you for all your hard work and all the ways you are trying to help me out. TJ and I must have exchanged about 100 emails in the last 2 weeks and everytime we get on the phone its an hour long converation about the car. Thank you....

[DRJDVM's '69]

Updates.... Tim has been cutting the car all to hell. Everytime he turns around there is some aspect that Chris butchered... what the hell he was thinking is beyond us all..... I've decided to open my own shop and have my 6 year old son do the welding... it would turn out just as nice...

So ....more carnage.... you may want to have a garbage can near by to catch your vomit...

Anyone like modern art?
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-10firewall-butcherpatchescutout.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-10modernartbyRaceRodz.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-11previousuppercowlpatch3.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9innerfendersbefore.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9innerfendersbefore2.jpg


Now that is quality craftsmanship at its finest....

[DRJDVM's '69]

This is the firewall piece after it was cut out.....nice and flat.....did you guys know that metal likes to warp when you heat it up to 1000 degrees with a MIG ? I guess Chris didnt...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9oldfirewallpiece.jpg

Chris filled the rear seam..welded it when the panels didnt real line up and then ground the hell out of it. The metal was so thin Tim could crack it with his finger.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-11verythinqtrseamonpassengerside.jpg

Its gets better...... with all the sheetmetal work and heat he put into the front end with all the overzealous MIG work, the front driver side corner warped upward about half an inch !! When Tim cut all the junk out it actually sprang back down to where it should be.... Tim is gonna get it all lined up right....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9cudarideheightmockup017.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Okay....now the "after" stuff....
New firewall....nice, clean and FLAT.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9firewallupdate001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-12tunnel-openingshapeafter.jpg

Trunk gaps and the seam was cut out and a patch welded in...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-15innerfendersremoved004.jpg

New cowl patches done..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-11cowlpatch-newpiecepassengersid.jpg

This is the ride height we are shooting for... it looks like with the 20's in the rear we may have to mess with the mounts to get it to sit right..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-9cudatimsrideheight2.jpg

[Vegas69]

Ouch...but that cuda is bad dude!

[awr68]

Yeah that's some nice work! :faint: Even if Chris' 'employee' did the work, Chris NEVER should have let it get to that point!

Looks like Tim is doing a great job like we all knew he would! :thumbsup:

[joe440]

thats gonna look sweet sitting like that, coming along good!

[71dusterjon]

sad you cant trust anyone these days with your valuables. car is looking better though.

[comp-spec]

I was at Bruning the other day and had a chance to look at the Cuda.

Wow is all I can think of. Ned really got screwed on this whole deal at Race Rodz. Dare I say it more than I think Tony got screwed. Tony sent the car down there with the majority of the metal work done. Its clear that there was no sheet metal nor paint talent at Race Rodz.
Check out Bruning's website and the Cuda's gallery. Kids at a high school with shop class could of done better.

Sorry to put the car down Ned. I truly feel for you man.

I know this is a bad time of year with it being Christmas and the economy the way it is, but maybe after the New Year we could all pitch in a bit and help Ned also like we did for Tony.

Let me know how I can help out......I'm in
Can't be at a better place

[bigtyme1]

Hang in there Ned, I'm glad to see you have not given up.Had a great time togethor at SEMA this year.

[syborg tt]

wow that was so really nice work.

I especially like this picture. It almost looks like a bug

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-10modernartbyRaceRodz.jpg

[tjbruning]

wow that was so really nice work.

I especially like this picture. It almost looks like a bug


Another beauty...

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2153/1212sailpanelpreviouswecn4.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6667/1212sailpanelpreviouswean7.jpg

after...

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1309/1212sailpanelpatchinproab3.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/685/1215innerfendersremovedzt1.jpg

[BRIAN]

I haven't read all the posts but I assume this guy is no longer in business. i do have to say having been in the auto body Industry this is not uncommon work. There are Benz dealerships doing those exact repairs to new $100k cars and owners accepting it.
A quality job is what the owner perceives to be quality. There is always a better way to do something. I have to say although probably not the majority view, this is the difference between a job that say cost $8k and one that costs $16k. If the original shop charged this guy what Bruining? would charge a walk in customer you should go after him legally. Everybody thinks they can weld up some panels and save some cash with body work. Not that this happened here but there are tons of pics posted of work with 50 great replies that make me cringe. You can't judge work by a picture on the internet.

I am not defending anyone but sometimes for a shop it is hard to turn away the quick mig them up jobs and ship it out the door with a nice profit. Not everyone can afford a true metal finished job. Not every build is a $100k car with a $25k sheetmetal and paint bill.

By the looks of the work and what they feel is bad you are in good hands.

[patriotformula]

Looking good thanks to the Bruning guys... In reply to what ^ he said, there is a difference between say what Bruning charges someone and what a cheaper job costs. However, there is no excuse for those piss poor welds and craftsmanship. Someone would have to be completely blind to get wool pulled over their eyes on that one... If someone is that incapable they should have admitted it and given up instead of wasting these fellas time and energy.

Anyways, can't wait to see more and more pictures as this goes on. Gotta love them E-bodys! :cheers:

[HaulinAsp]

You can't judge work by a picture on the internet.


I can, I hope the HACK that butchered that car is in another line of work.:yes:

Go back and take a closer look at the first guys work.........

:faint:

[DOOM]

Another beauty...

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2153/1212sailpanelpreviouswecn4.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6667/1212sailpanelpreviouswean7.jpg

after...

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1309/1212sailpanelpatchinproab3.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/685/1215innerfendersremovedzt1.jpg

TJ. Is your patch TIG or MIG:question:
Mario

[68protouring454]

the only way to metal finish a but welded panel like bruning is tig, its looks like there using reg filler, but silicon bronze works very well and keeps the heat down when welding and metal finishing

[tjbruning]

I haven't read all the posts but I assume this guy is no longer in business. i do have to say having been in the auto body Industry this is not uncommon work. There are Benz dealerships doing those exact repairs to new $100k cars and owners accepting it.
A quality job is what the owner perceives to be quality. There is always a better way to do something. I have to say although probably not the majority view, this is the difference between a job that say cost $8k and one that costs $16k. If the original shop charged this guy what Bruning? would charge a walk in customer you should go after him legally. Everybody thinks they can weld up some panels and save some cash with body work. Not that this happened here but there are tons of pics posted of work with 50 great replies that make me cringe. You can't judge work by a picture on the internet.

I am not defending anyone but sometimes for a shop it is hard to turn away the quick mig them up jobs and ship it out the door with a nice profit. Not everyone can afford a true metal finished job. Not every build is a $100k car with a $25k sheetmetal and paint bill.

By the looks of the work and what they feel is bad you are in good hands.

Looking good thanks to the Bruning guys... In reply to what ^ he said, there is a difference between say what Bruning charges someone and what a cheaper job costs. However, there is no excuse for those piss poor welds and craftsmanship. Someone would have to be completely blind to get wool pulled over their eyes on that one... If someone is that incapable they should have admitted it and given up instead of wasting these fellas time and energy.

Anyways, can't wait to see more and more pictures as this goes on. Gotta love them E-bodys! :cheers:

We charge time and materials, which is very common in this industry. That said, our shop rate is VERY competitive. Cutting corners and doing a piss poor job doesn't make the job get done any sooner in my opinion. Race Rodz probably spent more time lap welding panels and filling voids with layer after layer of weld (inner fenders for example) than if he would have took the time to fit the panel correctly in the first place.

I doubt Mercedes owners take their cars to the dealer to have wheel tubs, spoiler, tunnel, shaved body panels, inner fenders, etc custom fabricated for their 80k car. Collision repair is completely different than custom sheet metal work and I'm sure there are a lot of body shops out there that cut corners by adding more filler. Many areas on Ned's car couldn't be fixed with filler alone...

Also, experience and skill level are a huge factor in terms of the amount of time required to the job right. We looked at pictures of Ned's car and came up with rough time estimates for each area. We then looked at the car in person before bringing the car up North. We're doing everything possible to make things right with respect to Ned's allowable budget, which is exactly what we do for every other customer. I don't know what Ned agreed to pay RR, but I do know that Ned would have been better off if nothing had been done and he only lost the money. The time required to fix all the issues is more than it would have cost to do it right in the first place.

So, please don't assume that we're more expensive because other shops cut corners and rip people off. There is more to it than that. Knowing your strengths and being honest with the customer is key. For instance, we talked to Rob (Demon build) about header options. While I would have liked for us to build a custom set of headers, we couldn't compete (price, not quality) with some of the production headers on the market. Custom headers were lower on Rob's priority list (determined by his budget) than suspension and body mods. What we do on Ned's car is no different.

[tjbruning]

TJ. Is your patch TIG or MIG:question:
Mario

the only way to metal finish a but welded panel like bruning is tig, its looks like there using reg filler, but silicon bronze works very well and keeps the heat down when welding and metal finishing

Tig. Mig welding has its place (not trying to sound like a tig or bust snob), but not for light gauge sheet metal work.

Tim used silicon bronze filler on some of the thin areas around the quarter skin. The patch was fit and fusion tacked in place. Very little filler rod was needed. The upper section above that patch was also replaced right below the window area.

[tjbruning]

How much would it cost a body man to make this panel flat with filler?

inner fender removed
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6001/1216updates002cz7.jpg

back side
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/6039/1216updates004wu6.jpg

or this?

new panel - still in the works... (There is a brace tacked in place supporting the fender mounting flange)
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/6250/1219newinnerfender2xb8.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/917/1219newinnerfender4cg4.jpg

back side radius corner
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1576/1219newinnerfenderbackswk4.jpg

[rwhite692]

TJ those look fantastic, nice job!

[DOOM]

Thanx for the reply TJ ! I never tig welded before only mig at my body shop . I have alot to learn. But I never mess with something I do'nt know . Thats why I have MCC doing my floor and nine inch housing on my 69 .Some things you need to leave to the pros.I agree with what you said '' IT TAKES MORE TIME FOR YOU TO UNDO MY SCREW UPS THEN ITS GOING TO COST ME MORE'' just leave it alone if you do'nt know what your doing!!!!!!!
Mario

[mazspeed]

I'm happy to see Ned's car at a proper place. The old metal work looked bad.

[rjsjea]

I was at Bruning Auto Design for a couple hours today and the work that was done previous to being there does not meet anyone's standards.

It looks worse in person than in the pics......sorry Ned. There is no way that any customer should have had to pay anything for what was done by Race Rodz.

I think it's great that Ned hasn't given up on this car. :thumbsup:


-Rob

[dhutton]

This thread is both satisfying and humbling for me. I get some small degree of satisfaction thinking that my amateur efforts are better than the original work done on the car and very humbling knowing that I will never, ever, be able to do the quality of work that is being done on the car now. Amazing work, even more so when you consider the starting point.

Don

[Ketzer]

I've been cussing some of my own patch-panel work all week, seeing the before pics here makes me feel a little better about my own efforts. Sorry, but that stuff really is awful.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Believe me guys... I know how crappy the car ended up, so you wont hurt my feelings by telling it like it is..... its in excellent hands now, so I feel alot better.

As for the work.... I've only been welding for around 2 years now and I am dead on convinced that I could have done better work than that... I mean come on, man.... and it wouldnt have cost me much $$ to butcher it myself.

As for the MIG vs TIG....... I'm a complete amateur but heres my take.... if you can TIG it, then do it...... MIG will work okay alot of the time but you have to stick to some basic principles and techniques...nice gaps and fitment and heat control are key. MIG also doesnt give you much ability to work the metal after the weld, while TIG does, so it allows you to finesse the area more after welding.

I think for alot of guys MIG will be just fine but you need to take your time and stick to a good technique

[tjbruning]

Believe me guys... I know how crappy the car ended up, so you wont hurt my feelings by telling it like it is..... its in excellent hands now, so I feel alot better.

As for the work.... I've only been welding for around 2 years now and I am dead on convinced that I could have done better work than that... I mean come on, man.... and it wouldnt have cost me much $$ to butcher it myself.

As for the MIG vs TIG....... I'm a complete amateur but heres my take.... if you can TIG it, then do it...... MIG will work okay alot of the time but you have to stick to some basic principles and techniques...nice gaps and fitment and heat control are key. MIG also doesnt give you much ability to work the metal after the weld, while TIG does, so it allows you to finesse the area more after welding.

I think for alot of guys MIG will be just fine but you need to take your time and stick to a good technique

Two pieces fusion tacked (no filler) for perfect fitment - Weld is virtually seamless after it is fully welded and metal finished.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7482/1220updates003rq3.jpg

Backside of radius
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8135/1220updates005wb3.jpg

[patriotformula]

Bruning,
Sorry I wasn't trying to come across suggesting (although I did not intend to) that your work was overpriced or anything. I can imagine that it is always cheaper to have it done right the first time... (unless you are someone who just simply doesn't mind hack work which I'm sure there are some out there. Your work looks great, actually it made me go home and get behind the tig torch last night for a while.

You said though that the whole inter fender well panel will be fusion welded (no filler rod?). Just for reference what type of amperage do you have your tig set on when you do thing gauge sheet metal work like that? I seem to warp thinner metal like that, but I'm sure that has a lot to do with skill as well.
Anyways, please keep us updated on the progress... love the pictures!

:cheers:

[tjbruning]

Bruning,
Sorry I wasn't trying to come across suggesting (although I did not intend to) that your work was overpriced or anything. I can imagine that it is always cheaper to have it done right the first time... (unless you are someone who just simply doesn't mind hack work which I'm sure there are some out there. Your work looks great, actually it made me go home and get behind the tig torch last night for a while.

You said though that the whole inter fender well panel will be fusion welded (no filler rod?). Just for reference what type of amperage do you have your tig set on when you do thing gauge sheet metal work like that? I seem to warp thinner metal like that, but I'm sure that has a lot to do with skill as well.
Anyways, please keep us updated on the progress... love the pictures!

:cheers:

No worries... The initial tacks are fusion tacked together, but Tim used .030 filler rod when final welding. Machine is set at ~50 amps (but modulated with pedal)- Syncrowave 250, water cooled, foot pedal.

[reckn8]

Man I think the MIG welder is getting a little bit of a bad name here. Like any other tool, it is 98% the person running the machine.

[elitecustombody]

updates?

[96z28ss]

Went by the shop this weekend and dropped off the Supercharger for mock-up. Car looks killer the rear spoiler looks awesome.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Long overdue for an update...

Once again, Tim has been doing spectacular work. I couldnt be happier. Both TJ and Tim have been great to work with on every level. After the quarter panel issue came to light, my enthusiasum for the car took a huge downturn and my concern with my budget became a big issue. At that point I was pretty freaked out that my dream and my budget were both going in the toilet. Needlsess to say, I wasnt exactly the easiest customer to deal with..... Despite being a PITA and getting anal about my $$, they were complete professionals and we worked things out. These guys have helped me out immensly and I will be eternally greatful. They are not only great craftsman, but great people.

I want to whole heartedly thank both Tim and TJ...... they have seen my dream car circle the drain and my emtions go up and down about this car. As a smaller shop, they dont have the luxury of dontaing much of their time to help guys like me. They cant just throw a couple of employees at a "feel sorry for you case" like me, and still be making $$ and paying bills with other projects at the same time. When they donate their time, they arent making any $$ for the shop at all. Despite that, they are doing the new quarter panel install for free, in order to help me keep my project going in the direction I dreamed of. I cant express my gratitude enough....... Thank you

I also want to thank Mike at Musclerodz again...once again he stepped up and helped out with getting me a new quarter panel. Thank you...

So....on with the update...

The innder fenders are all done and turned out awesome......

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-6innerfenders003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-6innerfenders001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-6innerfenders007.jpg

Ron Davis radiator all mounted up...Tim re-did the front rad support and moved the mounts outward so I could get a bigger radiator in there
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/1-22-09radandbeadlayout013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/1-26-00progress018.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

After much back and forth with with Rodger at Ironworks (thanks again) and Procharger, I was able to get a procharger bracket for the 6.1 HEMI, so I could make sure the inner fender design would allow a unit to fit. However it looks like the Procharger might be "off the plan" due to budget issues, but it may still happen and at least I know it will fit.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/1-16-09updates011.jpg

My Ricks tank...thank you Hector.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-13-09RicksTank.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-13-09rickstank2.jpg


Off with the old quarter panel.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-26-09updates007.jpg

More stellar work by Chris.... this is the outer wheel tub to quarter flange than Chris did....part of the old flange and some new Chris made....nice work once again.... no wondet the panel wapred all to hell....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-26-09updates010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-26-09updates012.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Front valance in place
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-13-09updates003.jpg

Driver fender.... Tim had to do alot of work to get both front fenders to fit right
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/2-13-09updates013.jpg

Thats about it for now.....Tim is working on the new driver quarter panel....and bleive me, its not a quick take the original off and put the new one on....Chris did some stuff that takes 10x the effort to undo.

[jy211]

glad to see it back on track! :thumbsup:

[awr68]

Thanks for the update Ned!! I need to head over and take a look! I'm thinking it looks a lot better than the last time I saw your car! Nice to see it moving in the right direction! :cheers:

[syborg tt]

I talk to TJ at least once a week and I look forward to driving around Columbus lost with them this year. They are truely great guy's and there work is pretty incredible.

and i love your new inner fenders. Now i just have to figure out a way to make them work on a Second gen Camaro.

[96z28ss]

I talk to TJ at least once a week and I look forward to driving around Columbus lost with them this year. They are truely great guy's and there work is pretty incredible.

and i love your new inner fenders. Now i just have to figure out a way to make them work on a Second gen Camaro.


Well thats easy... Send the car to bruning for some work!

[syborg tt]

Well thats easy... Send the car to bruning for some work!


LOL - Never thought of that.

[customcam]

An unbeleivable gesture to say the least! Awsome :bow:

[Grimmey71]

have you guys ever thought of selling some inner fenders like the ones you have made? I love you work and I own a 71 cuda and would seriously consider buying some. Oh and some mini tubs too LOL

[BRIAN]

Bruining, I don't always go back and read after I post. There was no insult meant to you or the owner. The point I was trying to make is I have grown to understand that there are different levels of quality and they usually do go hand in hand with money. I never stated you were more expensive than the next as I have no idea what you charge.

The point is you are fortunate to have customers that allow you to perform such quality work on their car. The reality is there are tons of shop's on this board that will admit or not that they have pulled the trigger on a mig welder and who knows what the opposite side looks like? I agree 100% in doing the job to quality standards but there are guys on different budgets that want a nice job at the best quality that can buy. I do metal work and have the english wheel, power hammer, tig etc, etc but there is no way I am going to install a panel for the same price using either process. Guys plug weld spot welds where a pressure weld will blow it away but that doesn't mean the other is junk?

I am just not into bashing someone unless I know the entire story which I don't know here. That is why I think if someone is going to post a criticism thread they should post all the details. I agree the repairs look crappy and your work is what I would like to see. But again you don't want a 100 guys knocking on your door thinking they are getting that for $5000.00.

Again no insult meant and I enjoy your posts as I believe nobody is beyond learning something. The car looks incredible and glad it turned into the project that the owner always dreamed of. Nothing worse than getting 50% done and realizing you are in trouble.

[two68s]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/12-10modernartbyRaceRodz.jpg

you have got to incorporate this piece into the final build somehow, or better yet put it on a plaque to display at car shows:D

The car is in great hands now! Keep up the good work!

[96z28ss]

I agree the repairs look crappy and your work is what I would like to see. But again you don't want a 100 guys knocking on your door thinking they are getting that for $5000.00.


What if they could of done what the first shop did for $5k , or slightly more. Look at the fustration that this has caused. Well worth spending a few more bucks and getting quality work done right the first time. What you also have to put into the equation is that Tim has been at this a very long time. Work at one of the best restoration shops in the Pacific NW. What might take someone days to figure out and start tackling the job. He can get done in hours. Experience is a big factor in time savings which cut down the labor costs.

[two68s]

Two pieces fusion tacked (no filler) for perfect fitment - Weld is virtually seamless after it is fully welded and metal finished.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7482/1220updates003rq3.jpg

Backside of radius
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8135/1220updates005wb3.jpg

Damn I thought that was a single rolled panel in the earlier pics!!!! Nice work.

[tjbruning]

LOL - Never thought of that.

Where's the love!?! :lol:

have you guys ever thought of selling some inner fenders like the ones you have made? I love you work and I own a 71 cuda and would seriously consider buying some. Oh and some mini tubs too LOL

These would be difficult to mass produce since the front end of Ned's car has a lot of "history" to say the least. From a cost perspective, you would be better off keeping the stock shape (upper radius/shock tower area) and replacing the flat section with a recessed panel.

Bruining, I don't always go back and read after I post. There was no insult meant to you or the owner. The point I was trying to make is I have grown to understand that there are different levels of quality and they usually do go hand in hand with money. I never stated you were more expensive than the next as I have no idea what you charge.

The point is you are fortunate to have customers that allow you to perform such quality work on their car. The reality is there are tons of shop's on this board that will admit or not that they have pulled the trigger on a mig welder and who knows what the opposite side looks like? I agree 100% in doing the job to quality standards but there are guys on different budgets that want a nice job at the best quality that can buy. I do metal work and have the english wheel, power hammer, tig etc, etc but there is no way I am going to install a panel for the same price using either process. Guys plug weld spot welds where a pressure weld will blow it away but that doesn't mean the other is junk?

I am just not into bashing someone unless I know the entire story which I don't know here. That is why I think if someone is going to post a criticism thread they should post all the details. I agree the repairs look crappy and your work is what I would like to see. But again you don't want a 100 guys knocking on your door thinking they are getting that for $5000.00.

Again no insult meant and I enjoy your posts as I believe nobody is beyond learning something. The car looks incredible and glad it turned into the project that the owner always dreamed of. Nothing worse than getting 50% done and realizing you are in trouble.

Thanks for the reply Brian, and I fully agree with you on most of your points. My intention here wasn't to make this a criticism thread or a tig vs. mig thread. As I said before, each machine has its place - hence the reason we use both.

That said, there are so many crappy repairs done on this car that even the best body man couldn't hide... far beyond the mig vs tig debate. I try not to criticize work performed by other shops, but this is a special case. Ned would have been better off if no work was performed, but the shop ran off with his money. At least he wouldn't have had to pay for the time required to cut out and remove what was done, etc.

Oh, and I will keep waiting by the phone for those $5k phone calls... :lol:

[tjbruning]

Also,

A few people have asked about the step/recess/bead in Ned's inner fenders.

We have a Vibro Shear (similar to a Pullmax) which can be used for many different things, depending on the die set. Shrinking, stretching, louvers, shear, beads, channels, recess, edge turning, flanges, etc etc etc... Tim made the dies. Options are endless when it comes to replicating shapes, channels, etc.

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/27551-2/Vibro+Shear+001.JPG

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/27554-2/Vibro+Shear+002.JPG

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/27557-2/Vibro+Shear+003.JPG

The paint and pin striping were done by the previous owner... :wow:

[tjbruning]

What if they could of done what the first shop did for $5k , or slightly more. Look at the fustration that this has caused. Well worth spending a few more bucks and getting quality work done right the first time. What you also have to put into the equation is that Tim has been at this a very long time. Work at one of the best restoration shops in the Pacific NW. What might take someone days to figure out and start tackling the job. He can get done in hours. Experience is a big factor in time savings which cut down the labor costs.

Remember Bob - A.B.C - Always Be Closing... and Telling's not Selling.

Now continue on... :lol:

[BRIAN]

Ok so I won't be posting the pics of my shopdog hammer. He with the most tools wins!

Wanna sell dies? what size post? I know $5000.00

Brian

[tjbruning]

Ok so I won't be posting the pics of my shopdog hammer. He with the most tools wins!

Wanna sell dies? what size post? I know $5000.00

Brian

the magic number... :unibrow:

14mm.

[DRJDVM's '69]

The bottom line is that fixing all the crap work has cost me twice as much as it would have been to have a good shop do all the work from the beginning. Alot of labor has gone into just "undoing" stuff.

I made a huge mistake....and its costing me big time. Lesson learned.

[DRJDVM's '69]

TJ sent me some more update pix. The car actually saw the light of day for awhile when they moved the E-tikit car around.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/2009PortlandRoadsterShow006.jpg


Some pix of the spoiler......
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/2009PortlandRoadsterShow008.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/2009PortlandRoadsterShow010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/2009PortlandRoadsterShow013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/2009PortlandRoadsterShow011.jpg

[Young Gun]

spoiler looks great!

[rwhite692]

Ned I finally got to see the photos. Looking great!

[DRJDVM's '69]

Spoiler all done..turned out awesome....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates009-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates012-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates016-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates015-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates020-1.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Next was getting the bumper to fit nice and tight and flow with the body of the car...as you can see, in original form it didnt fit very well

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates026-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates025-1.jpg


Lots of cutting. slicing and tweaking....once again. Tim's work is amazing...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-17-09cudarearbumperday1007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-17-09cudarearbumperday1002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-19-09updates024-1.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Now it fits perfect....nice and tight and it really flows with the car...amazing...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-17-09cudarearbumperday1020.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-17-09cudarearbumperday1018.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-21-09cudabumper001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-21-09cudabumper002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-21-09cudabumper006.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-21-09cudabumper007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/4-24-09cudarearvalance012.jpg

I couldnt be happier with the bumper...it really fits perfect now.

Tim also mocked up the stance again.... I'm running the RMS front and Air Ride all around (just solid bars in place right now to make it a roller)...19's front 20's rear....... the stance is "so-so" at the Air Ride ride height.....but its not good enough....IT SITS TOO HIGH....so once some other stuff is done. Tim is going to mess with the mounts etc and get the car to sit lower and still have decent ground clearence....

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates008.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates009.jpg

Hopefuly we can get it to drop at least another inch at ride height and still have at least 4 inches ground clearence.... then when I drop the bags it will look awesome......

[jy211]

looking great! :hail:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Those are the big updates for now.....we're still messing with the lower rear valance design so hopefully Tim can finnish that up this week.... then mess with the stance and then I'm done for now, I wish I could have them do more, but I'm having to put some brakes on myself since I still need $$$ for the rest of the car :)

[GHOSTDANCER]

Looks good :thumbsup: :cheers:

[Musclerodz]

Those are the big updates for now.....we're still messing with the lower rear valance design so hopefully Tim can finnish that up this week.... then mess with the stance and then I'm done for now, I wish I could have them do more, but I'm having to put some brakes on myself since I still need $$$ for the rest of the car :)Ned let me know if you need the valance TJ called about.

[awr68]

Looking good!

[abadsvt]

Man that looks SWEET!!! To bad metal rust because its a shame to cover up all that metal work. Looking forward to more pics.

Josh

[Bigy693]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates009.jpg



ahh I just hope this is what I have in my mind when i fall asleep. Absolutley amazing work bruning has done.

[96z28ss]

Looks awesome. I think the ride height looks fine.
Rear bumper and spoiler look great.

What about the front bumper?

[Flash68]

that thing looks sick! I agree the stance can come down a tad.

[DRJDVM's '69]

I agree the ride height looks "okay".....but it can be better....the stance is so important, I dont want to settle for "okay". It has to look bad ass at ride height and then absolutely sick when I drop it.

As for the front bumper....not sure. I wish I could have Tim do that one too, but its just not in the budget, The front bumper has a decent look to it already but I hate the end shape. I may try my hand at some mods and see how it goes. Nothing fancy...just re-shape the ends some...we'll see.... I may even get bold and try the Camaro bumper design like Sick Fish. Worst case is a destroy 2 camaro bumpers :)

[syborg tt]

So what is the actual ride height right now.

Just an FYI during the build of my truck. I bought another Sonoma GT and set the ride height at 5". Man it looked good - but boy did driving it suck. In my short 8 mile drive to work i would bottom the truck out at least a half dozen times. and let me tell you after a month the frame had so much road rash it was almost funny.

We moved the truck up to 6" and it made a huge difference. Scarry what and inch can do. ( please no comments here )

Tim also mocked up the stance again.... I'm running the RMS front and Air Ride all around (just solid bars in place right now to make it a roller)...19's front 20's rear....... the stance is "so-so" at the Air Ride ride height.....but its not good enough....IT SITS TOO HIGH....so once some other stuff is done. Tim is going to mess with the mounts etc and get the car to sit lower and still have decent ground clearence....

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates008.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/3-23-09updates009.jpg

Hopefuly we can get it to drop at least another inch at ride height and still have at least 4 inches ground clearence.... then when I drop the bags it will look awesome......

[tjbruning]

So what is the actual ride height right now.

Just an FYI during the build of my truck. I bought another Sonoma GT and set the ride height at 5". Man it looked good - but boy did driving it suck. In my short 8 mile drive to work i would bottom the truck out at least a half dozen times. and let me tell you after a month the frame had so much road rash it was almost funny.

We moved the truck up to 6" and it made a huge difference. Scarry what and inch can do. ( please no comments here )

Marty - for clarification, where are you measuring ride height? The changes we're talking about making will not change the ground clearance under the engine/front cross members. An inch will do wonders... :_paranoid

[syborg tt]

The odd thing about the s10 is the engine crossmember & tranny crossmember are the two lowest points on a s10. But that is only by a 1/2".

So my measurements were:

crossmembers: 5"
Frame at front of cab: 5 1/2"
Frame at back of cab: 5 7/8"

Oddly enough many times i would actually hit the frame under the cab and not the engine crossmember.

The Syborg project is set at 5 3/4 front of cab & 6" back of cab ride height and will air down to just shy of 3" when parked.

Don't forget i'm tucking a 31" tall tire in the rear.








Marty - for clarification, where are you measuring ride height? The changes we're talking about making will not change the ground clearance under the engine/front cross members. An inch will do wonders... :_paranoid

[Payton King]

and now you are talking about "tucking" Does it never end with you. LOL

Car looks great and yes an inch can turn a perfect driver into a rubbing, scraping PITA to drive. Lowered my Camaro an inch in the rear...suspension bottomed on the frame rails, tires rubbed, etc. Put it back and all is well with the world. Sure did look cool that low though.

Lowest point on my car is 5.5 at the header flange, any lower and I could not get it on a trailer. You have air ride so you can jack it up to get over stuff and into driveways. Got to love air.

If you have the room another inch all the way around would be perfect. The rear spoiler and bumper are worth every penny spent.

[doitbby]

great looking project. so nice to see mopars on this forum. you are so fortunate to have bruning auto work on your car. their work is art. i live in ripon which is next to manteca, and havent found anyone near by to work on my challenger.

[96z28ss]

great looking project. so nice to see mopars on this forum. you are so fortunate to have bruning auto work on your car. their work is art. i live in ripon which is next to manteca, and havent found anyone near by to work on my challenger.

Send it up to Bruning they love mopars. They take pills to stomach working on my camaro.

[96z28ss]

I agree the ride height looks "okay".....but it can be better....the stance is so important, I dont want to settle for "okay". It has to look bad ass at ride height and then absolutely sick when I drop it.

As for the front bumper....not sure. I wish I could have Tim do that one too, but its just not in the budget, The front bumper has a decent look to it already but I hate the end shape. I may try my hand at some mods and see how it goes. Nothing fancy...just re-shape the ends some...we'll see.... I may even get bold and try the Camaro bumper design like Sick Fish. Worst case is a destroy 2 camaro bumpers :)

I would keep it the way it is for ride height. Your on air so your going to drop it when its parked anyways. The money spent on lowering it could be spent else where like front bumper, roll cage, etc

[syborg tt]

I would keep it the way it is for ride height. Your on air so your going to drop it when its parked anyways. The money spent on lowering it could be spent else where like front bumper, roll cage, etc

Very well said.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Parker Racing]

I had a friend with a Cuda have the same hack work done, but that was twenty years ago.....it's a shame people don't check out referances BEFORE handing over the car and handing out the cash......

I have seen the work Bruning is doing first hand, and being biased because I know Tim and his work, I would take advantage of the fact the car is there now and the price is most definately right for the level of work.:thumbsup:

For the other Mopar guys, and Bob's Camero.....Tim is in no way partial to cutting up any make of car to make it better. A Challenger or Cuda will stand out in the sea of Nova's and Camero's for sure, but like any car, it's all in the deatils and the less obvious the mods, the better the job.

Tony

[96z28ss]

I had a friend with a Cuda have the same hack work done, but that was twenty years ago.....it's a shame people don't check out referances BEFORE handing over the car and handing out the cash......

I have seen the work Bruning is doing first hand, and being biased because I know Tim and his work, I would take advantage of the fact the car is there now and the price is most definately right for the level of work.:thumbsup:

For the other Mopar guys, and Bob's Camero.....Tim is in no way partial to cutting up any make of car to make it better. A Challenger or Cuda will stand out in the sea of Nova's and Camero's for sure, but like any car, it's all in the deatils and the less obvious the mods, the better the job.

Tony


I used to like this guy, I thought we might be good friends. Work on a few projects together, until he said CAMERO. Must be a mopar or ford guy!!
BLAMPHAMY!!!! LOL

[Parker Racing]

Stupid thing is Bob, I owned a 68 Camaro...........:hail:

Chalk it up to hunt and peck typing and 14hr days..hahaha

[96z28ss]

Stupid thing is Bob, I owned a 68 Camaro...........:hail:

Chalk it up to hunt and peck typing and 14hr days..hahaha

okay you redeemed yourself

[dtedler]

Ned - Great to see the progress that is going on the right direction. You are building one over-the-top cuda and I have to say I'm jealous as heck. Good luck in the coming months with all the details coming together. Has your paint scheme changed since you moved the car to Brunig? Keep us up to date.

Tony Edler
Classic Mopar 5 Speed

[DRJDVM's '69]

More updates..I had Air Ride install the internal ride sensors in my Shockwaves and then had them sent to Bruning so we could use them for mock up.. I also got some air lines etc so we could air it up and down easily

The front rim/tire is from Robs Demon...thanks Rob :)... it really helps to have an actual rim and tire rather than just a tire.....much easier to really get the overall look by having a center etc. My front tire diameter will be about an inch bigger than Robs, so raise the car alittle more from here too....

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup007standardrideh.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup008standardrideh.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup009standardrideh.jpg

Now tell me the car doesnt sit too high !!! It looks like a frickin 4x4 with a 19/20 combo at the standard Air Ride ride height...... so more changes :)

[DRJDVM's '69]

This is the car with the "standard" brackets etc with the car completely aired out.......now it looks cool, but this is with it dropped all the way !!!


http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup005airout.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup004airout.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup003airout.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09airridemockup001airout.jpg

Its got a cool stance now.....but once again this is with it all aired out, so the from crossmember is like 2 inches off the ground..not driveable at all

[DRJDVM's '69]

This is the proposed new stance once the front k-member and rear brackets are modified. The plan is to basically "notch" the front frame, move the k-members up into the frame and then "shorten" the rear upper shock mounts

This will make the new ride height be almost as low as the "fully dropped" original stance if I leave the "standard" set up

By doing this it will still allow me to have about 5 inches ground clearence at the lowest point of the crossmember at ride height and plenty of clearence in the back. I will need to mod the tunnel to clear the driveshaft, but not a big deal... so a much better stance without making the car have undriveable ground clearence..

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight004.jpg

A 1000x better....much more aggressive of a look. I can also fine tune it with the Air Ride......its gonna be more work and more $$ but the 4x4 look would kill the rest of the car..... if it doesnt sit right, the rest of the cars can be wicked but it will never be "right'

[Musclerodz]

As many K members i have heard about being modified this way, I am suprised they have not changed the design. looks awesome

[syborg tt]

I agree - the ride height was high. Are you going to have to notch the rear frame to tuck the axle ?

[rwhite692]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:Looks good, as I was reading the first couple of posts I was saying to myself, "he's going to have to modify the K-Member...." LOL! Glad you are going this route, it will look so much better.

[tjbruning]

I agree - the ride height was high. Are you going to have to notch the rear frame to tuck the axle ?

No, plenty of clearance between the axle and the frame rail. After modifying the upper shock mounts, there will be ~3 1/2" of clearance at the new ride height.

[tjbruning]

As many K members i have heard about being modified this way, I am suprised they have not changed the design. looks awesome

Most of the Mopar suspension kits are designed to bolt-in with minimal fabrication. Ned's already past the point of no return... :unibrow:

[DRJDVM's '69]

No I shouldnt have to notch the frame in the rear...its not going to be that low... I think :)...I may have the notch the rear crossmember so the pumpkin doesnt hit....but I think the axle tubes should be fine

As for the k-frame design....the RMS (and the other 2....Magnumforce and XV) is really designed for "less aggressive stance" of a car...i.e not running 19 inch front rims and 20 rears.....not shooting for the total "in the weeds" look etc. It has a much bigger market of the "average guy" thay just wants to get rid of the 30 year old torsion bar style suspension in the Mopars...plus there are just fewer guys cutting up Mopars and doing wild stuff... their numbers are growing but not nearly as many as Chevy and Ford etc.

So I cant fault RMS for staying more "in the middle of the road" for their design

[bentfab]

Most of the Mopar suspension kits are designed to bolt-in with minimal fabrication. Ned's already past the point of no return... :unibrow:

Know the feeling !! This started out as an XV back half. What's left is the lower control arms and shocks.

[rwhite692]

Mark that is a sweet setup you have there.

[DRJDVM's '69]

yeah with the old 20/20 hindsight, I should have just bought the Shockwaves and had everything fabricated custom. Probably would have been close to a wash as far as overall price....

Well probably not....but the overall custom design may have been worth the extra $$....mounts on th rearend rather than bolt on with U-bolts etc etc etc...

One comment on the Air Ride.... the plate that holds the U-bolts is bending already...would have been nice to be alittle thicker.... I'll fix that once I get the rearend finalized.

[bentfab]

Mark that is a sweet setup you have there.

Thanks alot.

[MoparCar]

With the lowering of the car in the rear, will you have to modify your outer wheel tubs for clearance? Basically doing a "bump" to the outer to make room for the tire? The mini tub does the inside nicely but so many mopars are tight on the outer. Without sucking the tires in they are very close to the outer tub as I'm sure you know. I'm building a Challenger and I keep looking at this while doing mock up that's why I'm asking and looking for ideas from a Pro Build.....

Thanks! Wes

[96z28ss]

Does look nice, lower.

When are you going to get wheels for the car?

[tjbruning]

With the lowering of the car in the rear, will you have to modify your outer wheel tubs for clearance? Basically doing a "bump" to the outer to make room for the tire? The mini tub does the inside nicely but so many mopars are tight on the outer. Without sucking the tires in they are very close to the outer tub as I'm sure you know. I'm building a Challenger and I keep looking at this while doing mock up that's why I'm asking and looking for ideas from a Pro Build.....

Thanks! Wes

Ned had the tubs done at the last shop and there is plenty of room. Also, Challengers are wider at the belt line than Cudas (1 1/2") which makes it difficult to bring the wheel out as far since there is less clearance at the top of the tire.

[tjbruning]

Does look nice, lower.

When are you going to get wheels for the car?

Bob, you feeling ok? :lol:

[96z28ss]

Bob, you feeling ok? :lol:

well once you put an actuall wheel in there it looked like it needed to be lower.

[DOOM]

This is the proposed new stance once the front k-member and rear brackets are modified. The plan is to basically "notch" the front frame, move the k-members up into the frame and then "shorten" the rear upper shock mounts

This will make the new ride height be almost as low as the "fully dropped" original stance if I leave the "standard" set up

By doing this it will still allow me to have about 5 inches ground clearence at the lowest point of the crossmember at ride height and plenty of clearence in the back. I will need to mod the tunnel to clear the driveshaft, but not a big deal... so a much better stance without making the car have undriveable ground clearence..

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-4-09timsproposedrideheight004.jpg

A 1000x better....much more aggressive of a look. I can also fine tune it with the Air Ride......its gonna be more work and more $$ but the 4x4 look would kill the rest of the car..... if it doesnt sit right, the rest of the cars can be wicked but it will never be "right'

Ned thats perfect !!! Thats the way it should be I like the fender edge just above the rim lip :thumbsup: :hail:

[rjsjea]

:thumbsup: ........never thought those rims could look too small on the front of a car, good choice goin 19's

New ride height looks good.:cool:



-Rob

[DRJDVM's '69]

My thought exactly Rob...... the 18 looks small to me too.

Yeah the wheel openings are huge on the e-bodies... thats why I felt going with a 19/20 combo would be perfect. I'm not a big fan of the huge wheel look on alot of cars, but the bottom line is that an e-body is a pretty big car...so it works.

My goal was to have a ride height stance where the rim edge was very close to the wheelhouse edge....barely/no sidewall showing up top

Yes the car is minitubbed in the rear...done at the last shop...to put it nicely...they work but its not very pretty back there....

[joe440]

coming along great, love the ride height

[CAMAROBOY69]

Thats my favorite year Cuda and its looking great so far. If I was to ever buy another car project it would definetly be a 70 Cuda.

[bentfab]

My thought exactly Rob...... the 18 looks small to me too.

Yeah the wheel openings are huge on the e-bodies... thats why I felt going with a 19/20 combo would be perfect. I'm not a big fan of the huge wheel look on alot of cars, but the bottom line is that an e-body is a pretty big car...so it works.

My goal was to have a ride height stance where the rim edge was very close to the wheelhouse edge....barely/no sidewall showing up top

Yes the car is minitubbed in the rear...done at the last shop...to put it nicely...they work but its not very pretty back there....

This is with a 19 out back. I personally would like it a little lower but that's what the owner want's. These cars are a little tricky to make look right.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Mark....that stance is pretty damn nice too..but I agree that it could go just a tad lower (especially since you are doing so much fab you can set it lower but not compromise clearence etc etc).

I had to do a double take on the rim... it took me a minute to realize that you had the center but not the hoop :)

I love the work you are doing on that car....very nice.

[tjbruning]

This is with a 19 out back. I personally would like it a little lower but that's what the owner want's. These cars are a little tricky to make look right.

I agree on going a bit lower, but then again I like em' low!

19/20 combo
http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/8441-2/show+_amp_+photo+shoot+001+_32_.JPG

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/8444-2/show+_amp_+photo+shoot+001+_33_.JPG

edit - Tim built a custom oil pan that doesn't hang below the car/chassis, so no less than 5" ground clearance at this height...

[CAMAROBOY69]

Now that stance looks perfect. :thumbsup:

[tjbruning]

I had to do a double take on the rim... it took me a minute to realize that you had the center but not the hoop :)

hoops are there, but black

[DRJDVM's '69]

I looked again...hoops are there :willy: .....on the 3/4 view of the back it looked like I could see inside the tire itself...my mistake....its just the reflection on the hoop.....

[bentfab]

I looked again...hoops are there :willy: .....on the 3/4 view of the back it looked like I could see inside the tire itself...my mistake....its just the reflection on the hoop.....

Funny you say that. A buddy of mine came buy and was actually touching the tire and thought the same thing.:lol:

[bentfab]

I agree on going a bit lower, but then again I like em' low!

19/20 combo
http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/8441-2/show+_amp_+photo+shoot+001+_32_.JPG

http://www.garagescene.net/gallery2/d/8444-2/show+_amp_+photo+shoot+001+_33_.JPG

T.J.
When I was first setting up ride hight I showed the customer those same pics. Problem is he's a little old school and likes them sitting a little higher.

Buy the way your car is BAD A$$ !!!!!

[tones2SS]

Now that stance looks perfect. :thumbsup:

I agree.
Looks killer!!:thumbsup: :hail:

[tjbruning]

T.J.
When I was first setting up ride hight I showed the customer those same pics. Problem is he's a little old school and likes them sitting a little higher.

Buy the way your car is BAD A$$ !!!!!

Thanks Mark! Sounds like your customer is coming around for an "old school" kinda guy considering what your doing with his Cuda. Nice fab work as usual - looking forward to seeing the finished build. :cool:

[Grimmey71]

Ned had the tubs done at the last shop and there is plenty of room. Also, Challengers are wider at the belt line than Cudas (1 1/2") which makes it difficult to bring the wheel out as far since there is less clearance at the top of the tire.

XV runs 335/30/18's on the rear of their cars and they told me all they had to do was roll the wheel lip. I was kinda hoping to do the same on my cuda. I dig the 19 inch tires and the look, but my srt4 came stock with 19 and the tire price is high and they dont make alot of different sizes yet that I know of. I guess I am just hoping for big rubber with less work :thumbsup:

[DRJDVM's '69]

XV runs 335/30/18's on the rear of their cars and they told me all they had to do was roll the wheel lip

I dont know I believe that... the stock tubs are decent size but I think a 335 would be real tight. It also depends on how the car sits....if you dont mind it sitting kinda high and roll the outer lip it might just fit. Plus "fitting" and "fitting right" aren always the same thing. If you dont mind alittle rubbing from time to time, then okay.

A 315 probably but a 335 is cutting it pretty close in my opinion. And yes, the range of 19 tires is alittle smaller than the 18 or 20's

If you go to my pix link below I have some pix of the 335 being fit into the cut out stock tub location..... this was done at the previous shop, so don't pay attention to the quality of the fab work :)

[modern-muscle]

Saw this car on LX related forums and WOW this thing is beyond killer. I'd love to see this thing when it's finished. Guys I'll give you an A+++++ on the quality of this build and I'm personally very envious of this car.

John

[Grimmey71]

I dont know I believe that... the stock tubs are decent size but I think a 335 would be real tight. It also depends on how the car sits....if you dont mind it sitting kinda high and roll the outer lip it might just fit. Plus "fitting" and "fitting right" aren always the same thing. If you dont mind alittle rubbing from time to time, then okay.

A 315 probably but a 335 is cutting it pretty close in my opinion. And yes, the range of 19 tires is alittle smaller than the 18 or 20's

If you go to my pix link below I have some pix of the 335 being fit into the cut out stock tub location..... this was done at the previous shop, so don't pay attention to the quality of the fab work :)

I really am thankfull for your pics:hail:, it helps with my plans alot. I really like the low stance your going with but I dont think(living in michigan) that the roads here would be that forgiving to me:lol: I am currently trying to think through my next step as far as wheel tubs are concerned. i will probably go with 18's myself, but want the 335's.

19's are starting to get a little more popular with the pontiac g8 gt and one or two lexus runnning them.

[DRJDVM's '69]

So I got the car back from Bruning this weekend.... there was alot done since my last update.... bottom line is the work is awesome.... I couldnt be happier (except if I had taken my car there in the first place and my budget allowed them to do even more work on my car)
So here we go... last update was about getting the stance I wanted.. so once we got it to sit where we wanted Tim figured out a way to make it happen...

First was to modify the stock mounts of the Air Ride stuff out back. Tim started with the stock bracket and essentially shortened it almost 2 inches.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-5-09modifiedrearshockwavemount-4.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-5-09modifiedrearshockwavemount-2.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-5-09modifiedrearshockwavemount-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-5-09modifiedrearshockwavemounts00.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Then it was the front end... this was more of a limiting factor...... we could only change it so much without opening another can of worms...... motor too high, huge trans tunnel etc etc. So Tim basically "channelled" the RMS k-frame into the stock frame... so rather than bolt to the underside of the frame, it sat inside it and was welded in for good.....that raised the frame up 1.5 inches...allows the body to sit lower but not give up precious ground clearence. After much debate we also raised the UCA mounts too to keep the geometry correct
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-7-09modifiedkmemberlowerstance010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-7-09modifiedkmemberlowerstance014.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/5-7-09modifiedkmemberlowerstance017.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Then back to the rear of the car.... the next was the rear valance. After making a plan, it was evident that it was going to be a real PITA to bolt and unbolt the tank once the valance was welded in for good. So Tim came up with a new way to mount the tank...completely strapless...very clean..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-11-09straplesstank004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-11-09straplesstank009.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-11-09straplesstank005.jpg

Then the valance.....we went back and forth with a design...lots of back and forth with overall width and depth etc etc.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-16-09cudavalance005.jpg
Nice and tight against the tank...it flows real well into the tank...especially without the straps
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-16-09cudavalance006.jpg

Then we had to design an exhaust opening...lots and back and forth again... I wanted some of the "stock Cuda" look but something that flowed with the valance recess. We tried several different ones....... alot of the rear of the car has been inspired by Sick Fish so I wanted to not do a carbon copy...... but none of the other designs really worked and looked right....so the final design is alittle more "Sick Fish" that I was originally shooting for, but boy does it look good. Tim and I went back and forth about that.......in the end he convinced me that "what looks good, looks good".....yes someone has already done something very similar but look at all the 1st gens and Chevelles etc that copy each other over and over again....if it looks good it will get repeated no doubt. Its when people dont copy you that you need to worry...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-16-09cudavalance010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-16-09cudavalance014.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Once the shape of the tip was finalized, Tim made a form to shape the opening flange so it was strong and had a nice rolled edge and gap.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips003.jpg

Then the tips..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips009.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-18-09tipsinprogress003.jpg

[acohoon]

It looks great. Only advice I have is on the gas tank. From my experience with off roading (jeeps and rock buggies) a lot of people have problems with solid mounting their tanks when not using straps. The most common thing I have seen is cracking around where the ear that the bolts go through meets the tank. I put some rubber bushings that I had cut down between my tank and frame to help soak up some of the vibration.

[tones2SS]

Very nice Ned!
She's getting there.:thumbsup:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Tips in place....just resting in there for now. Once I finalize the exhaust there will be a little fine tuning of the shape to flow with the valance
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09tipmockup003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09tipmockup004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09tipmockup012.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09tipmockup016.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-26-09finalvalance001.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Xmas day has arrived !!!!

The day of pick up..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3626.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3629.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3633.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3636.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3637.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3638.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3664.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3661.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3672.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/070.jpg

All wrapped up and ready to head home...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3695.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

So she's back in my garage...next plan....order brakes and get those mounted in front....measure for my rims and get those ordered.

Once I get those, then measure and order my rearend.

While I'm waiting for parts etc, I was planning on adding some additional supports for the frame to triangulate it in a few areas....notching the rear tubs so I can lower my rear windows all the way......decide on a trans... I'm now thinking of a T56 magnum and see if that will fit... I may need to change the tunnel....figure out my mufflers... I may raise them into the floor to get them up high.

MuscleRodz has a Hydroboost and the new PS and overflow tanks coming to me soon, so I'll get those all mounted up...

And tons of other stuff....

[DOOM]

Great to see you have it back home . The guys did you right!!! What a difference.. Now lets get some paint on this thing:yes:

[syborg tt]

Packing up the backspacing tool and shipping it out tommorow.

I'll call you in the morning.

So she's back in my garage...next plan....order brakes and get those mounted in front....measure for my rims and get those ordered.

Once I get those, then measure and order my rearend.

While I'm waiting for parts etc, I was planning on adding some additional supports for the frame to triangulate it in a few areas....notching the rear tubs so I can lower my rear windows all the way......decide on a trans... I'm now thinking of a T56 magnum and see if that will fit... I may need to change the tunnel....figure out my mufflers... I may raise them into the floor to get them up high.

MuscleRodz has a Hydroboost and the new PS and overflow tanks coming to me soon, so I'll get those all mounted up...

And tons of other stuff....

[GregWeld]

Packing up the backspacing tool and shipping it out tommorow.

I'll call you in the morning.

Marty -- You stole my idea -- I was going to ask Ned if he needed my wheel and tire sizing tool...
Glad someone is getting one to him -- he's going to squeeze every last mm of tire in there!!

:>)

[awr68]

Congrats on getting it home safe Ned!
Tim sure does nice work!! :hail:

[Rybar]

Ned, the Cuda looks unreal. Tim sure does some awesome work! :thumbsup:

[JohnC]

Then back to the rear of the car.... the next was the rear valance. After making a plan, it was evident that it was going to be a real PITA to bolt and unbolt the tank once the valance was welded in for good. So Tim came up with a new way to mount the tank...completely strapless...very clean..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-11-09straplesstank004.jpg

Did Tim make the tank also? I know someone who could use one...:_paranoid ;)

[jy211]

Xmas day has arrived !!!!

The day of pick up..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3626.jpg

:bow:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Thanks guys...

Greg... thanks for the offer on the Wheel fit tool....Marty has me covered..... I will mooch your AC fitting compressor and Fuel/brake line flare tool when the time comes :)

The tank is a Ricks tank.... Tim just made the new mounts. We had talked about Tim making the tank, but the bottom line is that its hard for a smaller fab shop to compete on price for an item like that. We could have customized it alittle more for my particular car, but in the end it would have been more expensive and would have eaten time that Tim could be doing something else on the car. So I just decided to go with a Ricks tank.

[JohnC]

Xmas day has arrived !!!!

The day of pick up..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/Trip%20to%20Bruning%20Auto%20Design/IMG_3626.jpg


Marty,

Can I borrow it next? Two cuda projects on opposite sides of the country using the same wheel tool would be cool...
and kinda funny..:unibrow: :rofl:

Heck of a job, Ned. At ride height, what is the distance between wheel lip center and the ground/floor will be for you?

Awesome!:hail:

[GregWeld]

Thanks guys...

Greg... thanks for the offer on the Wheel fit tool....Marty has me covered..... I will mooch your AC fitting compressor and Fuel/brake line flare tool when the time comes :)

The tank is a Ricks tank.... Tim just made the new mounts. We had talked about Tim making the tank, but the bottom line is that its hard for a smaller fab shop to compete on price for an item like that. We could have customized it alittle more for my particular car, but in the end it would have been more expensive and would have eaten time that Tim could be doing something else on the car. So I just decided to go with a Ricks tank.


Sounds like we need a :lateral: tool crib!!
:woot:

[frojoe]

Then the tips..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-22-09hammerformandtips009.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/6-18-09tipsinprogress003.jpg

HOLY MOLY. No one needs to read the rest of this thread to understand the quality of work coming out of Bruning. These 3 pics speak about 15,000 words.

[youthpastor]

HOLY MOLY. No one needs to read the rest of this thread to understand the quality of work coming out of Bruning. These 3 pics speak about 15,000 words.

the shop tour was amazing...it made me want to hang my head in shame and throw all my tools away!! VERY NICE WORK - the C-5 Challenger is jewelry !:D

[manny z]

Well after looking at every page on this post, I am speechless. the body work is artwork on your car.
it is to bad you had to have someone almost destroy your dream of the car you wanted.
I for one had a similar exp, but not as bad. Had my car with absolutly no rust, sit a bady shop for a year. And the only thing they did was the passenger side 1/4, door, and part of the fender.

It took me a little over 2 years to find a shop that has a rep for their work.

I to envision what I want my car to look like, and want to stay with it. Good luck.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Well I got a chance to wheel her out into the sun this weekend.....pull the boxes and parts out and take some pix...... the car sits awesome when fully dropped.

These pix are with the stock wheels, fully aired out, so it will sit about an inch higher in the back but the front will be about the same. So it will have a little rake to it.... The air shocks have no valves, so she tends to lean alittle when the air moves around

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3699.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3717.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3705.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3708.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3707.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Ground clearence when its fully aired out.... with it at ride height I have about 4.5 inches at the front crossmember

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3703.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3709.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3725.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3719.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3702.jpg

Next step..... I'm gonna ad some frame braces to stiffen the frame up alittle...... Wilwood is sending me some of their new spindles to see if they will work with the Alterkations... if they do, then I can get their biggest and baddest brakes....if not, then I'll do the "2nd biggest and baddest brakes" they have :)

Now I have to get off the damn computer and get my ass out in the garage before it gets too hot....

[GregWeld]

Love the wheels Ned!!

BTW -- to properly use a tape measure to measure ground clearance -- it has to be vertical...
:lol:

[GregWeld]

PS --

Tell the "little lady" that SHE now gets the single car garage -- and "THE" car gets to take it's half out of the middle -- of the double door side!!


It won't be that long before you get to come home again....

[tones2SS]

Very nice NED!!
She's gotta be one mean looking mutha!!!:cheers:

[joe440]

everything looks awsome:thumbsup:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Always the smartass ....:) Just a little scale to the pix.... I couldnt hold the tape measure and the camera at the same time

The "small" bay is my work area.... the larger section is the home of the '69 and the '98 SS Camaro..... my wife parks in the driveway :D The only way she'll ever get a spot inside the garage is if we move and I get a full shop to myself...... I always tell her the rest of the house is hers and she can do whatever she wants to it....but the garage is mine.

The small bay is also about 8 feet deeper that the other section and has a garage door that opens to the back of the house so its a nice space to work in where I can walk out back to grind/cut/pain/weld etc etc....

[rwhite692]

Greg you know, Only the "rich guys" use pressure treated 4x4s...LOL

<<<GIT ER DONE!>>>

[DRJDVM's '69]

Time for some updates...

Well I havent had as much time into the car as I would have hoped but I've been in "waiting mode" for some parts..

This is the frotn frame rail driver side with the mock up motor, and "pre-new inner fenders" etc. One of the things that bothered me was that there is a big old flange on the inside upper edge where the frame walls met and were spot welded together.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_1029.jpg

So since Tim channeled the Alterkation frame up into the frame rails and welded that stuff all solid, I figured I would get rid of that flange and weld the seam and then fill in some of the gaps between the k-frame and the frame rails to give a cleaner look and make sure it was all as solid as I could make it.

So I cut off the flange alittle at a time....created a small gap between the vertical edge and horizontal edge to make sure I got good weld penetration, and welded alittle at a time.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3864.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3870.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3867.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Then a made a small piece and filled in the gap between the k-frame and frame rail. I figured that would look cleaner and also distribute the force and weight over a larger area to make sure my new welded seam would hold up okay. (I'm a relatively new welder and welding an outside corner on a frame was a little concerning for me). I'm also going to fill the gap on the underside of the k-frame to frame so, this thing should be rock soild, so I think the new seam should be fine.

Before...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3865.jpg

After......much cleaner look..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3884.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3881.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3888.jpg

Then I boxed the motor mounts..probably overkill, but it never hurts..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3883.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3885.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

Then I made a new mount for the AC condensor from some flat stock aluminum. Since we opened the radiator area and moved the mounts, the Vintage air bracket wouldnt work.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3859.jpg

Then my next big goal was to get the brakes worked out so I could get my wheels alll measured and ordered. Thats where the big delay came up..........

I've been working with Tarrant Tutogi at Wilwood and he's been fantastic. Probably one of the best company reps I've worked with.... He really wants me to be able to run the big WS6 calipers but right now they dont have a caliper bracket that will work with my application. So Tarrant has been putting in a lot of work to get the guys at Wilwood to make one for future production for my application etc. So that took some time to sort out and we werent sure if that was going to happen. So after alot of back and forth Wilwood sent me out their 14 inch rotors and some other stuff to get started while we figured out the bracket situation....

Its a Wilwood Christmas !!!!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3889.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3895.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3894.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3906.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3909.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

At first we had some clearence issue with the steering arm attachment, so I we had to swap out to a more shallow hat and move the rotor out a tad... its close but they fit now :)
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3915.jpg


Since thats been all mounted up, I've been trying to measure for wheels....that has been a huge PITA.

I wanted to thank Marty (Syborg) for lending me his Mount Mate to help the job. I borrowed it back in late July (anticipating my brakes would arrive soon) and then we had all the brake delays and its been sitting in my garage unused.... thank you Marty for being so understanding on the delays. I'll have it back to you next week, I promise.....

I've also been bugging Jason Rushforth with questions and trying to work out a way to get a decent lip on the front wheel. Unfortuately with these big brakes, its widened my track width some and then the caliper overhang is gonna push the spokes out some, so it dosent look like I will be able to get the dish I was hoping for, but thats life I guess.

Then I got back and forth on the 19x8 or 19x9.....245-35-19..... I tried a ton of BS setting for both, at the current ride height (based on the Air Ride ride height suggested for this shock etc), its pretty close the fender lip near full lock.

So I decided on either a 19x8 with 6 BS or a 19x9 with 6.5 BS and everything clears on the pass side (the one I've been working on the entire time). Figured I should make sure on the driver side.....and neither one works on that side !!!!! I dropped a plum bob from the fender lip and measured to the hub on both side and it looks like my fender is about 1/2 inch pushed in on the driver side. Everywhere elese I measure, it appears that the frame to hub etc is the same so I dont think the frame is moved over. There was some previous damage to the driver side fender, so I think it bowed it in slightly near the fender lip....great...more work......

If I do more BS, then the Mount Mate hits the tie-rod at lock...plus I guess 6 BS is the most I can really do on an 8 inch rim anyway....so best I can figure is do the 19x9 with 6.5 BS, have a slighlty larger lip, and fix the driver side fender opening.....

I can go with a shorter hub and hat and move the track width in, but the caliper is the most "outboard" piece, so it wont do anything for my dish....so by doing the shorter hub, all I'm doing is changing the BS reading.... the mount pad gets thicker and the dish stays the same....

So decisions, decisions......

[GregWeld]

Or..... You could cut off all the suspension - narrow it... and put it all back on with different pick up points... then you would have header clearance issues... and have to do some custom whacked out header deal - which would cause an issue with the steering column and the "whatchamacallit"....

LOL

Isn't building a custom car phun??
:lol:

Seriously Ned... Glad to see you're working on it. There is a solution for everything... some just require a lot more work than others. :>)

[96z28ss]

Would custom upper and lower a arms be needed to bring everything in?

[DRJDVM's '69]

Sure I could do custom UCA and LCA but thats getting into bigger $$...and then I'll probably have issues with getting the airbags in there...its already a tight fit.

Oh yes.....fun, fun...there are so many variable that can be changed, but they all effect each other...make one better and two worse...

[tones2SS]

Very nice Ned!!
I like the Wilwood Christmas! lol:thumbsup: :cheers:

[syborg tt]

Your welcome and not a problem.

Also sound like your fender may be pushed in. Take a tape and measure from the fenderlip plumb bob to the frame rail and see what you get on both sides.

If that is the case i have the fender lip roller that you can use and instead of rolling the fender lip you can gently flare the fender back out. I did this on the bed of my truck and it worked great.

Since thats been all mounted up, I've been trying to measure for wheels....that has been a huge PITA.

I wanted to thank Marty (Syborg) for lending me his Mount Mate to help the job. I borrowed it back in late July (anticipating my brakes would arrive soon) and then we had all the brake delays and its been sitting in my garage unused.... thank you Marty for being so understanding on the delays. I'll have it back to you next week, I promise.....

I dropped a plum bob from the fender lip and measured to the hub on both side and it looks like my fender is about 1/2 inch pushed in on the driver side.
If I do more BS, then the Mount Mate hits the tie-rod at lock...plus I guess 6 BS is the most I can really do on an 8 inch rim anyway....so best I can figure is do the 19x9 with 6.5 BS, have a slighlty larger lip, and fix the driver side fender opening.....

I can go with a shorter hub and hat and move the track width in, but the caliper is the most "outboard" piece, so it wont do anything for my dish....so by doing the shorter hub, all I'm doing is changing the BS reading.... the mount pad gets thicker and the dish stays the same....

So decisions, decisions......

[DRJDVM's '69]

Thanks again Marty..

I've measured from just about every fixed point I can find to the fender lip and they are all about 1/2 off from side to side. If I sight down the fender, I'm pretty sure I can see it bow in just alittle. Plus on the Cuda there is a little flare just over the opening and if I put a straight edge from lip to body line it's pretty perpindicular on the "in" side and angles inward (body line above is inboard). The definition to this small "flare" is not nearly as crisp as on the "good side" either. Both are original fenders, but both have had some damage over the years

So I'm pretty sure its pushed in about 1/2 inch near the opening on the driver side.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Today I started to mess with the rear tires.... I'm using my stock rearend just to get me in the ballpark for BS and see what I have to work with. The plan is to get the rims and tires and then measure and order a custom Dana 60. Right now I just want to see where I stand......
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3933.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3934.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3938.jpg

This is the passenger side lip clearence right now... the tire is alittle crooked in the pix..... I havent done any trimming or rolling of the fender lip yet, but that is the plan for sure. I should be able to move the rim out just a tad more and still have fender clearence and enough space up top to sink the tire up into the wheelwell when its aired out..... I have about 3/4 inch of clearence on the inside right now...so probably move it out about 1/4 inch and I should be perfect.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3936.jpg

[syborg tt]

So I'm pretty sure its pushed in about 1/2 inch near the opening on the driver side.

my suggestion - put the car on the ground an pull hard

[Grimmey71]

have you spoke to bill reilly and asked him about backspacing and rim size?

[BRIAN]

Get yourself a contour gauge to determine if one fender is off from the other. When I do metal work I actually draw almost a graph on identical panels and the use the gauge from one to the other. They will always be off a bit but at least you will know if you are in the ballpark. You can make a quick one time gauge out of a piece of cardboard held perpendicular to the panel and trace the contour onto the cardboard. It takes a few times cutting it out but it works and you can make a couple for each section. Take your time and make them accurate.


Good luck

[elitecustombody]

Ned, if you don't mind me asking,where did you get that wheel/tire tool?I must have one. BTW, great progress on your Cuda, I wish I was at that stage with my 71

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3934.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

I actually borrowed it from a fellow Lateral-g member, but you can buy them from
http://www.wheelworksinc.com/mountmate.html

http://www.autowaretech.com/mountmate/

It looks like a great investment if you do alot of wheels and tires etc

Percy's also make a more generic version that doesnt actualy use a real tire.....

http://www.jegs.com/i/Percys/760/01201/10002/-1

[elitecustombody]

Awsome, it's good to have one of theese,I could've used it so many times. Thanks again.

[cwylie]

Is that just the air ride package they sell for the cuda or something completely custom?

[nvr2fst]

Hey Ned,
Hows your exhaust mock up coming along?

Dave

[DRJDVM's '69]

I actually havent messed with the exhaust yet..

Its the Air Ride kit but we cut the brackets down on the rear and channeled the k-frame up front so it will sit about 1.5 inches lower than the standard Air Ride set-up

I ordered my Rushforth wheels this week....lead time is about 6-8 weeks right now but hopefully sooner :) Then I need to get my rearend measured and ordered. I hope to get all the suspension nailed down by the end of the year.

[rjsjea]

Which Rushforth's did you end up going with?

[DFRESH]

Which Rushforth's did you go with Ned? Car looks killer---

Doug

[JayR]

Ned Ordered the Super spokes in 19x8 and 20x12. Thanks for going with Rushforths, Ned!

[DRJDVM's '69]

Thanks guys...

Jason Rushforth has been fantastic to work with... I've been bugging the hell out of him for the last month or so...back and forth emails....me changing my mind....asking alot fo questions etc etc....hes been great through the whole thing....thanks again Jason. I cant wait to get the rims....

I went back and forth on the Super Spoke and Rated X....both are aweseom rims. It was a tough choice and I must have changed my mind 1000x...... just something clicked with me just a tad more on the Super Spoke..... I dont think I could have gone wrong with either one.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Time for some new pix.....

Well it was a Wilwood Xmas again !!!! Last time I just got my hubs, hats, rotors etc..... my caliper came alittle later. They are fricking awesome....and huge !!!! They are the W6A 6 piston with the optional silver color.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3978.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3977.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3975.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3980.jpg

Wilwood still needs to make the caliper mounts for my application on the front. I dont have my Dana 60 yet for the rear, so I cant mount the rear stuff yet since the mock up rearend is way different.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Once I finalized my brake combo I went back to the wheel fitment check...man was that a huge PITA..... I changed hubs and hats a couple of time to get a decent track width and try and get some dish to the rim etc etc....so it was a ton of changing back and forth and measuring over and over. So I'm glad thats over. The rear was much easier since I'm having a rearend made to specs..... the front was much harder since it all turns etc. I only hope I made the right choices with the wheel BS etc...time will tell....

I used my Camaro rims as a trial just to see if a real rim/tire fit okay and check the BS one more time. I used Marty's Mount Mate to do most of the measuring but it never hurts to have an actual rim on there.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3994.jpg

Then I went ahead and made some wheel stands. I had some wood lying around and I will need them for the rearend measuring etc so I spent a couple of hours ( is that better Greg?) making these... those are my old mock up wheels for now.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3997.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4000.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4001.jpg

[GregWeld]

Looking good NED!!!
:thumbsup:

[awr68]

Nice brakes!! I like the finish!! :thumbsup:

[customcam]

Wow looking good Ned :thumbsup:

[rjsjea]

Silver calipers look great.....didn't know that was an option for Wilwood

[rwhite692]

Ned those calipers look great

I like how you got Kyle to hold the caliper on there

"Hurry up Dad! Take the picture! I can't hold this thing!"

You should have come over and got the framing nailer then you could have made those four stands in 15 min

[GregWeld]

Rob -- I was thinking the same exact thing -- as in "how could it take a "day" to build some 2X4 crates"???

Then I remembered --- it was NED.... and he studied it for a couple hours trying to figure out how to make it just a bit more complicated... :willy: :willy: :rofl:

Okay -- and the SILVER CALIPERS --- they're only silver while they're still in the box... two trips around the block -- they're a brown dusty color -- never to come clean again... :woot:

Lookin' good NED... :thumbsup:

[70rs]

Very cool Ned! I like the brakes. I think you were right when you said you couldn't go wrong with either choice from Jason. Both are really nice looking wheels. I can't wait to see them on your car.:thumbsup: :cheers:

[tones2SS]

Very nice Ned. Killer build.:cheers:

Nice brakes!! I like the finish!! :thumbsup:

I do agree with the guys here. Those Wilwoods are AWESOME!:thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

I mailed off a giant toothbrush so Ned can keep 'em clean!!
:lol: :lol:

They really are great looking brakes! It's a great project in the first place!

[DRJDVM's '69]

Oh Greg...always with the jokes :)

It didnt take me all day....considering who I was talking to I should have been more specific.:willy: ..it took 6.265 hours on a late Sat afternoon....while it was raining outside....it was 55 degress at the time. After I did a CAD drawing and did some structural strength testing I made them by hand using a hand crafted and laser etched ceramic blade I had imported from Japan and stainless steel screws imported from Norway.......:D Better ?

Geez......it only took me about 2 hours.... the only "back and forth" I did was how high to make them.

As for the caliper finnish....... I dont think it will be any worse than keeping the red calipers clean...or the wheels for that matter. My BAER calipers are that dull rough gray color and they dont get covered in brake dust at all. Nothing alittle wheel cleaner and a hose wont wash off.

And thats Monet's hand holding the caliper.....no way I would trust Kyle to hold them up :) They arent exactly lite......

[GregWeld]

:rofl:


PERFECT RESPONSE!! I love it!

Did you monitor the relative humidity?

[rwhite692]

...And thats Monet's hand holding the caliper.....


Dang! Those things are huge-by-gi-normous!

(Not Monet's hands, the Calipers!)

[GregWeld]

Dang! Those things are huge-by-gi-normous!

(Not Monet's hands, the Calipers!)

Thank goodness you clarified that statement!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :woot:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Did you monitor the relative humidity?

Of course I did....what did you think I was some sort of amateur ?? This isnt my first rodeo you know......:lol:

Rob..... I'm gonna have to show this to Monet now....dont be suprised if she bitch slaps you :)

[rwhite692]

LOL, Greg I put that in there because I knew that if I didn't, you would get on with your wise-crackery!!! :D

Yes, you are THAT predictable!!!! :rofl:

[GregWeld]

LOL, Greg I put that in there because I knew that if I didn't, you would get on with your wise-crackery!!! :D

Yes, you are THAT predictable!!!! :rofl:


My wife finishes my sentences - she does that because "I'm so predictable"...

So... now you sound just like my wife! :rolleyes:


:lateral: :cheers: :woot:

BTW --- I think you two owe me breakfast or something... (if you can't remember I'll make something up!) I'm going to leave here on the 31st - O'dark thirty - and head your direction. Should be down there relatively early on the 1st sometime... and I'll be really hungry!

[rwhite692]

Greg the least we can do if you are passing thru town on Thurs AM is take you to the local greasy spoon and fill you up with eggs and coffee (really - it's the LEAST we can do!)

[syborg tt]

Hi Ned,

Thank you for the little gift in the ctn.

ps - the wheel tool made it back home - thank again

Ned, if you don't mind me asking,where did you get that wheel/tire tool?I must have one. BTW, great progress on your Cuda, I wish I was at that stage with my 71

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3934.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

BTW --- I think you two owe me breakfast or something... (if you can't remember I'll make something up!) I'm going to leave here on the 31st - O'dark thirty - and head your direction. Should be down there relatively early on the 1st sometime... and I'll be really hungry!

Absolutely.... I think I know a good place that just had their health department suspension lifted.....something about rats and Hepatitis C..... bunch a BS if you ask me...... I'll make some reservations....but I dont eat breakfast so I'll just have some coffee.....

But all kidding aside...... ANYONE coming through our area on the way to SEMA is more than welcome at our house.....yes, you included Greg :)

[Rybar]

Your Cuda is looking awesome Ned. :thumbsup:

[rwhite692]

Absolutely.... I think I know a good place that just had their health department suspension lifted.....something about rats and Hepatitis C..... bunch a BS if you ask me...... I'll make some reservations....but I dont eat breakfast so I'll just have some coffee.....

But all kidding aside...... ANYONE coming through our area on the way to SEMA is more than welcome at our house.....yes, you included Greg :)


Ned we can take him to Amore's on 11th...Only one fatal shooting this year!

[GregWeld]

Greg the least we can do if you are passing thru town on Thurs AM is take you to the local greasy spoon and fill you up with eggs and coffee (really - it's the LEAST we can do!)

Well that's great Rob! But I'll be there on the FIRST of November which is a SUNDAY AM... So you'll just have to skip church. And I hear ya on "the LEAST".... :lol:

[GregWeld]

Absolutely.... I think I know a good place that just had their health department suspension lifted.....something about rats and Hepatitis C..... bunch a BS if you ask me...... I'll make some reservations....but I dont eat breakfast so I'll just have some coffee.....

But all kidding aside...... ANYONE coming through our area on the way to SEMA is more than welcome at our house.....yes, you included Greg :)


No different than my HOUSE... What could possibly be the problem with that place?? I'll take the chicken fried steak and eggs - extra gravy - hashbrowns - toast (white of course) and hold the grease. :captain: :woot:

[GregWeld]

Ned we can take him to Amore's on 11th...Only one fatal shooting this year!

It's like I tell the wife --- "It's just like you to bring a knife to a gun fight"!


If you guys really would like to grab a bite to eat - one of ya PM me your phone number and I'll "prepare you" when I have a better ETA... :willy: :faint:

[rwhite692]

Well that's great Rob! But I'll be there on the FIRST of November which is a SUNDAY AM... So you'll just have to skip church. And I hear ya on "the LEAST".... :lol:


Dang, you didn't fall for it....

Anyways...I will be coming back from Capitola on Sunday AM so maybe we can get together for lunch. I'll send you the digits

[GregWeld]

Ah yes... the old "I'll gladly pay you back between Monday and Tuesday..."

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Hey Ned,

forgive me, i had to pop this one back up. Saw the old thread was bumped and led me here.

your project looks fantastic.

Did you end up going with the Rated X? I thought those 10 spokes looked killer on there and maybe a set of night trains would go well too.

Im glad you got this sorted out and Bruning was able to take care of it.

Have a good one Ned.

Vince

[DRJDVM's '69]

Time for an update...FINALLY!!!

I've been waiting on wheels, so tried to keep myself busy with doing stuff that I could do without having the suspension done and wheels on.....

The original Air Ride brackets in the rear bolted in with self tapping bolts/screws in like 10 spots. I wasnt to keen on the whole self tapping bolts... I even stripped 2 of them when I tried to sinch them down tight. At first I was planning on keeping them "bolt in" just in case I ever want to pull them out....but I came to the conclusion of "who am I kidding...I'm not going to change the set-up". So I decided to weld them in for good. I prepped the brackets and drilled quite a few more holes.....17 total....for spot/plug welds, and welded the entirer perimeter...should be rock solid.

Original set-up...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_0190.jpg

All Prepped....all the powedercoat is off around the edge and holes, its just kinda hard to tell
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4602.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4593.jpg

All welded in.....not always the prettiest beads, but I'm pretty sure I got good penetration on the bracket and frame rail
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4608.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4606.jpg

There is a bracket on the inside of the car connecting the two plates, but since I was welding stuff in anyway, I decided to add a welded plate on the outside to connect the two brackets...just alittle more strength...what the hell...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4605.jpg

[GregWeld]

Looks good Ned.... One more item checked off the "to do" list!

Are you doing this while laying on your back? Or is the car now on a rotisserie?

[DRJDVM's '69]

Then I got all my Ridetech compressor stuff. When I mocked everything up I had some concerns with the speaker hole in the rear deck. I do plan on having a stereo....but will probably not listen to it much :). I wanted to sink the stuff as deep into the trunk as possible to retain as much trunk as I could. But if I did, the tank sat right under the speaker hole and left about 2 inches from deck to tank...not enough for a speaker. Ridetech has a more narrow and taller 7 gallon tank, that would fit between the speaker holes, but was just a tad too tall to fit.

So ultimately I ended up mounting the stuff towards the back of the car more than I had hoped for, so I did lose more trunk than I would have liked, but its the best compromise I could come up with. I should be able to get a speaker in there. I had thought about flipping it all around, but that would put all the connections on the back and make it real hard to get to if/when I need to.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4682.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4680.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4681.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_4683.jpg

I wanted to take the time to thank Tony Bicknell at Ridetech.... I've been bugging the crap out of him with questions and trying to tweak my set-up to shorten the harness's etc etc....he's been fantastic. All my interactions with Ridetech have been great..... thank you..

[DRJDVM's '69]

Hey Greg.... I put the car back on the rotisserie to do alot of stuff on the underside. My welding skills are sketchy already, so I try and make my life easier and do a better job but having the car in a nice orientation. Much easier.....