My "new" '74 Duster- or why I need a project like a hole in the head
Sorry! Been sick as a dog for almost two weeks. I have a pile of parts to install, SPC adjustable UCA's, QA1 tubular LCA's, a set of Digi-Tails LED tail lights, plus a few other random goodies.
I did install sliders awhile back to eliminate the shackles. So far they're working great, once and awhile I hear them make a little noise but it's pretty hard to hear with my exhaust.
I intended to take pictures as I went, but that didn't happen so I only ended up taking a few pictures afterward, and after I had driven the car out to see my family (they live down a dirt road, so, that's why all the dust.)
I replaced the shackle mount with my own mount for the sliders that just bolts in place of the old shackle mount. I cut a couple pieces of square tube and welded plates to the open side, and set the mounting plate up to be level with the rear frame extension. I drilled holes in the plates and into the frame to mount the sliders, so they can be removed with only a couple of extra holes to show for it. They can also be adjusted if I decided to slot the holes, or add some more. The install, even the way I did it, lowered the car about 3/8" in the back. The slider bolts ended up a smidge further back than I intended (probably because of the drop), but you can see from the "clean" spot that the sliders don't travel all the far backward, even when subjected to gravel roads with potholes etc.
Like most of the stuff I do the first time it didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it, but it's more than functional the way it is. I may go back and make a new set of mounts later, and channel the sliders up into the frame a 1/2" or so for some additional drop. Right now the car sits at 25" to the top of the wheel opening in the front, and 26" to the top of the wheel opening in the rear. I intend to lower the front a bit more with the new LCA's, so I may have to go back and lower the rear again.
Sorry! Been sick as a dog for almost two weeks. I have a pile of parts to install, SPC adjustable UCA's, QA1 tubular LCA's, a set of Digi-Tails LED tail lights, plus a few other random goodies.
I did install sliders awhile back to eliminate the shackles. So far they're working great, once and awhile I hear them make a little noise but it's pretty hard to hear with my exhaust.
I intended to take pictures as I went, but that didn't happen so I only ended up taking a few pictures afterward, and after I had driven the car out to see my family (they live down a dirt road, so, that's why all the dust.)
I replaced the shackle mount with my own mount for the sliders that just bolts in place of the old shackle mount. I cut a couple pieces of square tube and welded plates to the open side, and set the mounting plate up to be level with the rear frame extension. I drilled holes in the plates and into the frame to mount the sliders, so they can be removed with only a couple of extra holes to show for it. They can also be adjusted if I decided to slot the holes, or add some more. The install, even the way I did it, lowered the car about 3/8" in the back. The slider bolts ended up a smidge further back than I intended (probably because of the drop), but you can see from the "clean" spot that the sliders don't travel all the far backward, even when subjected to gravel roads with potholes etc.
Like most of the stuff I do the first time it didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it, but it's more than functional the way it is. I may go back and make a new set of mounts later, and channel the sliders up into the frame a 1/2" or so for some additional drop. Right now the car sits at 25" to the top of the wheel opening in the front, and 26" to the top of the wheel opening in the rear. I intend to lower the front a bit more with the new LCA's, so I may have to go back and lower the rear again.
