Lotsapins 71 SRT Challenger Convertible Build

[Lotsapins]

Dash looks really great.............Is that a cd juke box behind the dash...............Interesting........

Yes... I have 4 right now available for sale. Comes with 100 CD loaded. They sound great !

http://www.lotsapins.com/jukes.htm

[brads70]

Looking great! What are the seats out of?

[YellowThumper]

Ha ha I kept looking at dash to see where you hid the cd holder.

Duh! Opritive word is behind..oh I see it now. LOL

[Lotsapins]

Looking great! What are the seats out of?

Seats are made by Cerullo in CA. They have floor brackest for e-bodies. I had them done in leather with matching
extra vinyl for the rear seat.

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

Yes... I have 4 right now available for sale. Comes with 100 CD loaded. They sound great !

http://www.lotsapins.com/jukes.htm

I see you like the Rock Ola versions...How about Wurlitzer..........45 RPM. each holds 50 records..........1961 and 1962 versions.....

[Lotsapins]

I see you like the Rock Ola versions...How about Wurlitzer..........45 RPM. each holds 50 records..........1961 and 1962 versions.....

Those are nice from a collector view. I'm more into the looks and sale-ability. The CD boxes hold 100 CD's and with average of 10-12 songs, that's 1000 songs. You can make quite a variety. Also these model Rock-Ola's , you can see the CD playing. That is big for the home buyer. I have pinball machines that I have in my personal; collection. The jukes are mostly for resale and music in the garage while working on cars...

[Lotsapins]

So I see Flaming River is a sponsor here,and they have been good to me so far, buttttt we have an issue with their direct fit e-body tilt column. It don't fit and is not long enough. Let me explain:
First the column diameter is 2" and the stock diameter is 2 1/4". This means the floor bracket doesn't hold the column. It's loose around it and does not hold it or seal it to the floor. I have tried several different rubber o-rings and they just suck through the gap when tightening.
There should be a bushing or a spacer on the column that would make the diameter correct, or they should supply a o-ring that will work with the column. Still trying different ideas to fix that.

Second, you have to push the column up to the dash without the hanger installed or it wont fit. The hanger has to be installed after the column is up into the dash cutout. (not that big of a deal, but still a direct fit column)

And last but not least, It's not long enough.. What I mean by that is the adapter I bought for a tuff wheel makes the column from mount bolt to bolt of the wheel exactly the length of the stock column. Problem is the original column has a 5" crush can that the wheel bolts to. So the wheel is in way to far and you can't even bolt it on unless it's tilted down. The tuff wheel adapter needs to be at least 5-6" for this to work, not the 1-1/2" that it is.

Here are a few pics to show what I mean. I have contacted them and sent pictures, but all they had to say so far was that others have bought them with no problems. Hopefully they will replace my adapter with one that will work as I'm not wanting to do away with their column.

Anyone have any ideas or experiences with this? 

I may try to redo the original crush can so that it bolts to their tuff wheel adapter and get the 5" needed.

[Lotsapins]

Update : I have been in contact with Flaming River and they are possibly going to improve their direct fit column with some of my suggestions. I will be getting another and sending this one in when and if that happens. In the meantime I have put the seat in and figured out where I would like the wheel. It will take a a-body/71 up b-body adapter that will be modified to bolt to the flaming river tuff wheel adapter. Then get it powder coated semi gloss black and It should work out great. If they do get me an updated column, I'll switch em out and return this one.
They will be at the Mopar Nats and I hope to see some progress on this design.
here are a few pics of the adapters awaiting machine work. The last pics shows the flaming river adapter will have to be lathed down some to match the other.

[70chall440]

Well that sucks. When I did my Cuda, I went to a Goodguys show and bought a generic tilt column and configured it to bolt in. Have to use an Universal on the bottom to connect to the steering box but I have no issues with that. The Crush can bolts up but doesn't look good in stock form, have to make a cover to blend it into the column (still working on that).

[usraptr]

Sorry to hear you're having problems with the steering column.  On a positive note, you dash gauges look awesome! 

[Lotsapins]

Sorry to hear you're having problems with the steering column.  On a positive note, you dash gauges look awesome! 

I am still working with Flaming River. I found an adapter that looks more like stock from IDIDIT. I bought that and we are getting closer. I am hoping to get Flaming River to redo my column with a new tube and shaft adding 3" to the tube and moving the column up away from the dash by 3". With the IDIDIT adapter, I'll be good. I also had the adapter I have machined and it's ready as a backup plan. Have to do something with the IDIDIT adapter too. It moves the horn ring blinker canceler a bit off center. Seems IDIDIT has their turn signal switch a bit further up than stock.  Ill do some pics soon.

[Lotsapins]

Time for some updates.. Flaming River had me send back the column so they can get it to fit better. They sent me back a trial fit column with some of the changes I suggested. Pics show the column is no longer smashed against the dash. It has been moved out 2"and with the IDIDIT adapter, it would be usable. I suggested they bump it another inch, but they intend on making an adapter of their own. Said it will be 4.5" long. That will put it out almost too far, but we will wait and see. Here are some pics. Going in for a conv top in the next week or so (as soon as the top comes in). Windshield, side glass and power windows are all in. Seats in and feel really good. Hoping to get it somewhere by the end of September for the console to be finished and rear seat upholstered.

[YellowThumper]

As usual it is looking great...
Agreed on the wheel distance. My factory setup is 4" from dash edge to center of wheel.

Mike

Time for some updates.. Flaming River had me send back the column so they can get it to fit better. They sent me back a trial fit column with some of the changes I suggested. Pics show the column is no longer smashed against the dash. It has been moved out 2"and with the IDIDIT adapter, it would be usable. I suggested they bump it another inch, but they intend on making an adapter of their own. Said it will be 4.5" long. That will put it out almost too far, but we will wait and see. Here are some pics. Going in for a conv top in the next week or so (as soon as the top comes in). Windshield, side glass and power windows are all in. Seats in and feel really good. Hoping to get it somewhere by the end of September for the console to be finished and rear seat upholstered.

[Swamp Donkey]

LOTSAPINS,

   Everything you have done to your car is right along the lines of what I have envisioned for my own car.  By far my favourite build thread, and will bookmark it and use it as a valuable resource for when I start my own car.

[Lotsapins]

Sorry for the lack of updates, but not much has happened. Here what has: Flaming River got the final column built and sent. With the IDIDIT adapter, it works fine. If Flaming River ever gets there adapter finished, it will be a bit longer giving more dash clearance. For now I'm good with what I have. Got the top put on and it looks really nice. It's the Canvas/cloth type top. They don't do white in cloth so I got black. Guess it would be super difficult to keep clean in white, .. I took the car to Classic Car Studio (show,"Speed is the new black" guys). They quoted me way more than I could even imagine to finish the console and back seat, so cross them off the list. Ended up hauling it to Flanagan IL, about 3 hrs from me to a shop called "The Custom Shop". Had lots of great input from others about their work. They are working on it now. They will be building the front of the console, recovering the back seat, installing my carpet and Hush Mat, hooking up the alarm system with auto start and keyless entry, Making a sub box in the left rear quarter, installing a stereo system with amps, aligning the front and rear end, installing one touch exhaust cutouts, and trying to get the rear door panels looking like something that belongs on the car with speakers. Also a few minor items. Pretty much finishing it up. I have been busy with a load of pinballs that I bought from another collector (13). They are all sold except one, and another that I am going to restore and keep. Plus got in a couple more Rock-Ola Jukes, one of which is a very rare Harley Davidson Edition. Got them all loaded with CD's and ready to sell.