redss86 Truck Arm Build LOTS of pics!!!!

[redss86]

I finally decided to actually start a build thread. I started this project over 10 years ago, but that was before becoming a homeowner, a husband, and a Dad. Now I am trying to get back to working on the car regularly. Hopefully I can get it driveable before my kids get to involved in school/ sports. My oldest will be 5 this December. So the clock is ticking.

This is an 86 Monte Carlo SS. Here is the original plans:

Body:
mini-tubbed 3"
spare tire well delete
rear floor board mod to clear suspension
stripped car to bare steel and epoxy primed
cut tunnel for t56 shifter clearance

Frame:
2x4 rect tubing from firewall to rear horns
truck arm rear suspension
screw jack rear spring perches
custom fabbed full floating 9in
truck arm x-member bracing
adjustable phb

Additional Plans:
SC&C AFX stage 2 kit
Bonspeed Delta wheels (18x9f, 18x10r)
315 rear 275 front tires
Approx. 550hp 383sbc or 600hp 434sbc
Viper t56 (already have)
Glass cowl hood (already have)
Complete original pattern leather interior w/ modified front seat foam (bigger bolsters)

Basic plans are still the same as I started with. That being something that I can daily drive if I choose, but yet still be able to tear up an autocross, or road course as needed. So please follow along and I will listen to any comments/ suggestions. Hopefully between 3 different forums I will be able to get the motivation to work on it.

Disassembly (I even got the "girlfriend/ wife now" to help):



I did a mini-tub by drilling out the spot welds and cutting along the inner/ outer wheel house seam, and dropping the entire piece above the axle out. Then I cut 3" out of the center, welded it back together, and re-welded it into the car. By doing this I was able to retain the #5 body bushing. While I was back there, I removed the spare tire well, and did some rust repair on the trunk flange.

[redss86]

I then took it to work, put it on the rotisserie, sandblasted it inside and out, and then epoxy primed the entire body.

[redss86]

While I had the car at work, I started on the frame at home. Disassembled down to the bare frame. Had to have some sort of "flat" surface to build off of so I had my Uncle bring his laser level over and we build a surface by shimming 4x4's and screwing down some 3/4" plywood.



I got the frame on the new surface, and started by welding up the factory split channel frame. Then had to build some sort of support for the rear frame horns.



I welded bracing between the rails, then started cutting out the middle of the frame.

[redss86]

I put the "old lady" to work again, this time with a plama torch. I had here cutting out backing plates for the axle kick-ups.



Here are the kick-ups tacked together.



Kick-ups welded up, and remaining frame mocked up.

[redss86]

Here is the transition from the new rails to the existing rear rails.



Body back on for positioning/ mounting truck arms and cross member.



There is also a peak at some of the bracing for the cross member.

[WSSix]

Cool build! This is old school NASCAR stuff. Good luck.