Under the Knife

[the_engineers]

Well, now that the weather is starting to turn ugly, I'm taking a hobbist body course through the local college (same course Sprecks took).

The quarter that didn't look too bad actually turned out to be full of rust and bondo.  I didn't get any pics of the grinding/cutting process, but I do have pics of the road to recovery.

[dodj]

I was looking at your pics and noticed that it looks like your rear sway bar is an aftermarket piece like mine(from the way it is bolted to the axle). What kind of bracket attaches to the frame for the end links? Mine used a 'U' bolt that you inserted into and back out of the frame, but I noticed recently that it is starting to pull through. ie stress cracking.  Any chance of a pic/explanation if it is different/better?

'The quarter that didn't look too bad actually turned out to be full of rust and bondo.'

At least it didn't go too far. Keep the pics comin' 

[nick68]

Nice work. Looing real good.
 4 rear shocks ?    How does that work out for you.

[loco340cuda]

Great picts.  It makes me jelous when I see picts like this becuase it makes me want to do that to my car.  I am so sick of looking at the rusted out lower quarters and crappy paint job on my car.  Kuddos to you for learning how to do it yourself. 

Keep the progress picts coming. 

[dodj]

Nice work. Looing real good.
 4 rear shocks ?    How does that work out for you.

I believe the two extra shocks are for axle wind-up/shake. Notice the 2"-3" blocks between the axle perch and spring.

[the_engineers]

I was looking at your pics and noticed that it looks like your rear sway bar is an aftermarket piece like mine(from the way it is bolted to the axle). What kind of bracket attaches to the frame for the end links? Mine used a 'U' bolt that you inserted into and back out of the frame, but I noticed recently that it is starting to pull through. ie stress cracking.  Any chance of a pic/explanation if it is different/better?

'The quarter that didn't look too bad actually turned out to be full of rust and bondo.'

At least it didn't go too far. Keep the pics comin' 

I'll get a couple of pics tonight.

[the_engineers]

Nice work. Looing real good.
 4 rear shocks ?   How does that work out for you.

I believe the two extra shocks are for axle wind-up/shake. Notice the 2"-3" blocks between the axle perch and spring.

Correct.  The extra set of shocks are Just Suspensions "Ground Pounder" set-up.  It absolutely eliminates wheel hop and is virtually invisible when you have a lower quarter panel on the car.  I've thought about spraying them a matte black, but they're not very visible when the car is on the ground.

The lowering blocks are because I'm running SS leaf springs and the car sat funny (for 40 series tires)

[the_engineers]

I was looking at your pics and noticed that it looks like your rear sway bar is an aftermarket piece like mine(from the way it is bolted to the axle). What kind of bracket attaches to the frame for the end links? Mine used a 'U' bolt that you inserted into and back out of the frame, but I noticed recently that it is starting to pull through. ie stress cracking.  Any chance of a pic/explanation if it is different/better?

I think we have the same or similar pieces.  Not sure what to do if your U-bolt is pulling through...sounds like a weak frame section    You might be able to reinforce that area by welding some 1/8" plate over the section that's cracking.  you must drive the wheels off your car 

[the_engineers]

Should my end links be tighter?  They are poly, but after looking at the pic, it doesn't seem like they're doing anything.

[dodj]

Thanks for posting the pics. The brackets are identical to mine, other than mine started to pull through the frame . I hope it's my driving style and not frame integrity. I do drive it hard. It's difficult not to with a big block 4 speed. I think I'll weld in some reinforcement as you suggest. Either a flat strip or maybe a 'C' channel to wrap around the frame. Maybe about 6" in length?

[the_engineers]

That should do it!

[E-Body Products]

Makes me want a 71 cuda.

 

[dodj]

My end links are tighter than your appear to be, but as stated before, I am having some issues with that bracket attachment. Not sure if that is related but it is definitely in the same area.

[LAA66]

 If it's the area I'm thinking, there isn't much meat for that type sway bar attachment . The original mounting is alot better.

 Welding channel around the frame as mentioned would work though just bend it a little for the taper on the frame.

[dodj]

Definitely the same area LAA66, There are holes in my frame that would match up with the two bolts in the bracket on your car. Thanks for the pic.