Author Topic: Kuda progress  (Read 132373 times)

Offline Topcat

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #120 on: January 18, 2012 - 11:26:47 PM »
Hey!
Yeah things have been pretty slow on the car lately.
Holidays, work etc...

I've decided to do a bit more to the car than I was planning (again).
So I'll be replacing the roof, quarters, and dutchman panel.

What do you guys think about replacing the roof and quarters with the body on the rotisserie?
I'm thinking that with the roll bar (tied into the upper seat belt mount on the C pillar) and related bracing, the shell should be stiff enough.

I replaced my quarter panel after the subframe connectors were done first.
No problems in final alignments. Everything lines up perfect.
Mike, Fremont, CA.





Offline Beck

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #121 on: January 19, 2012 - 02:55:17 PM »
Cheers guys.
I have a couple of telescoping stands that bolt on via the front spring hanger mounts, that I use when I want to work inside the car.
Those can do the job of keeping the car straight when I come to replacing the panels.

I was also thinking of making a bolt in brace in a cross shape that goes from the rollbar bracing under the parcel tray, to the rear of the chassis rails.
To add rigidity for the track, but removable so I retain crumple zones for the street.
This will help stop the car flexing while it goes to the sand blasters after I cut the roof and quarters etc off.
Looking forward to getting the whole shell blasted silvery clean!

Offline hemiken

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #122 on: January 19, 2012 - 09:51:49 PM »
That would be the best way Aaron :grinyes: :2thumbs:

Great idea about the roll cage removal bar also, is the law pretty strict in NZ on roll bars in cars ?
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline Beck

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #123 on: January 19, 2012 - 09:56:20 PM »
Very strict guidelines on what you can and can't do.
But at least they let amateurs like myself weld them up, as long as you do a good job.

Offline hemiken

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #124 on: January 19, 2012 - 10:08:17 PM »
We have a similar law over here, but the welding can be performed by amateurs but a certificate of competency for welding is highly regarded. Unless you get a custom shop to perform your work, i do my own work as i am a custom hot rod & muscle car restoration shop .

Keep up the good work and i look forward to your next installment on the progress on your beastly Kuda :bigsmile:
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline MOPAR FANATIC

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #125 on: March 16, 2012 - 02:52:02 PM »
 :wave: Hello aaron,any new work done on "darkvador" lately.how's she coming along.hope all is well.  :thumbsup:

 :cheers: Dave...........................
71 Challenger 340 a/t
2013 Plum Crazy Hemi R/T 6SPD

Offline 'Cuda Hunter

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #126 on: March 16, 2012 - 02:53:15 PM »
 :popcorn: :popcorn:
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Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #127 on: March 16, 2012 - 11:00:27 PM »
 :wave:  :popcorn:  :popcorn:  :ylsuper:

Offline Beck

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #128 on: March 18, 2012 - 04:51:15 PM »
I have been working on the car...  honest!



Just heaps of stuff that isn't worth taking photos of.
Stripping things, mocking up, planning, etc...

I decided towards the end of last year that I was going to go a bit further (again ha ha) than I was planning, and replace the roof, quarters, and dutchman panel on the shell.
And step things up a few more notches with regards to custom work and some performance stuff like brakes and steering.

So it's been fairly slow progress, with plenty of time off to do some of my other projects.

Here's some work from the weekend:


Added the braces that tie the rollbar into the c-pillar sail-panel area. These bolt on via the upper seat belt mount and an additional 10mm bolt.


Here's the plate welded to the sail panel to reinforce the area. There's a 10mm nut welded to the back for the additional bolt.


The plates on the rollbar are fixed with a bunch of heavy MIG tacks for now. I'll grind these back and TIG the plates on just before the car is done, in case any thing needs to change.


I also added a couple of gusseting braces to the firewall to inner-fender-brace area.


I wasn't satisfied with the way the stiff inner fender brace butted into the weaker cowl area. So these plates will help spread the load.

Offline usraptr

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #129 on: March 18, 2012 - 07:11:11 PM »
Nice work Aaron.  That's gonna be one sick 'Cuda when it's done.   :2thumbs:
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #130 on: March 19, 2012 - 02:27:45 AM »
Yeah it is gonna look great!

Offline hemiken

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #131 on: March 19, 2012 - 07:03:41 AM »
I Love holes drilled in brackets............... :2thumbs: it shows that you really love it :wave: great work Aaron :bananasmi
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline Beck

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #132 on: March 24, 2012 - 05:02:15 PM »

Final mockup of the seat brackets. The seat just clears the subframe connector in the floor, and the driving position is great, with a good range of adjustment. Feels good sitting in there. The final brackets will be 5mm alloy.

Offline dodj

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #133 on: March 24, 2012 - 09:22:54 PM »
I Love holes drilled in brackets...............
:iagree: Looks cool. Like part of an airplane or something.  :bigsmile:
Scott
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Offline Beck

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Re: Kuda progress
« Reply #134 on: April 04, 2012 - 01:28:59 AM »
Here's a few quick concept images I've done recently to plan various things for the car:


Engine bay. Added an info plate on the firewall that has the LVV Certification plate, VIN tag, and original fender tag. There's also the KRC racing power steering pump, hydroboost brake booster, and power steering cooler with duct. This duct will seal to the underside of the hood, where a channel will direct air from a NACA duct in the hood (the duct is on the other side as this helped with looks and packaging). I've decided against extra firewall to inner fender/shock tower bracing, as it seemed unnecessary given the other strengthening work I've done, and the fact that torsion bar suspensions put the load in the cross member and not the shock towers like coil over suspension cars. I can always add a bolt in brace if it's needed in the future.


I love NACA ducts.


This was a quick idea for a future paint job for the car. The red panels are only on one side, the other side and the rest of the car would be all flat black.