Messages

I like the look.  Adapting a tach from a V-12 to a V-8 might be a challenge.  I imagine the other gauges are easily adaptable.

Are those gauges any good?  I like the look but have hesitated because Lucas has such a poor reputation.

Once the crossmember is out you can clamp a 2 by 4 to the frame to hold up the engine.

I'll use that approach.

Thanks!

Motor was out. only the front motor mounts, and the PS hoses would be added.

Its removing the motor mounts without removing the motor that is worrying me.

I keep thinking I should offer the motor free on craigslist to anyone who will remove it neatly.

I also pulled the front suspension, 4 bolts and it was out. A very complicated car to tear apart.

Was the motor already out?

I've dragged home an '85 XJS but haven't been able to start disassembly yet.  Mine still has a motor in it, and I suspect that complicates removing the IFS.

I'm sure I'll catch alot of flack for it.  

Not from me.

Its my car or truck and I'll build it the way I want within the limits of my time, money and skill.  When I want suggestions I ask for them.  What I don't need is dogma on the one true way to build a hot rod.

When I go to a car show I look at the cars and trucks that interest me.  I walk right past the others.

Nice work.  Thanks for showing us how its done!

I have to make a splash apron. Is there any interest in a Hammer forming tutorial?

Absolutely!  I have to replace one end of a splash apron and assumed hammer forming was the right approach.

I'll be looking forward to seeing it.

Thanks!

Build what you want, don't tell me what I should build.

Exactly!

I've dropped the HAMB from my daily reading list mostly because I'm tired of being told how to build my hot rod.

I'm only 53 so I don't remember much of the 50's but I do remember the 60's and so much of what is today considered traditional isn't part of what I remember.

The people defining traditional are sacrificing creativity and innovation to some imagined picture of a better day and time.  And those that don't conform aren't made to feel welcome.

And if the membership count on the HAMB is any indication a lot of people are following their lead.

Funny thing is I enjoy those shows like Billetproof more than the spit and polish shows.  I just have to be careful what I drive to them.

Pickup dually rears can be very wide.  Look for a cab and chassis dually to find a narrower rear.

ebay... them...

Good plan!

good trailing arms are hard to find

Actually they are available aftermarket and don't seem to be real expensive.

My point was that its a good design that works well and should not be dismissed just because the OEMs don't use it anymore.

All the talk so far has been about a SJS, is the SJ6 suspension as desirable for hot rod applications?

I think you have to look at it a little differently.  Series 1, 2 or 3.  The widths and exact mounting appear to be different between different series.  I believe if the XJ-6 is a series 3 then the suspension is the same as my series 3 XJS.

I've read a lot of links on these suspensions over the past week and they do not always agree, so hopefully someone with a clearer picture and more experience will also respond.

Those pictures are of an Eaton.  I would not be in a hurry to swap to leaf springs.  That trailing arm coil spring suspension works pretty well.

The '72 front disk are the same on both a 3/4- and 1-ton (single wheel type).  The rear brakes are much larger on the 1-ton and my one concern with staying with the 3/4-ton rear is the loss of braking power.