Inferno Red 74 Duster!
Well it’s been a while since I updated this thread. Once it ran and drove, I was so happy, then to get sidelined by a front suspension issue really let the wind out of my sails. I have been piddling around with some small stuff lately but now I am ready to get back at it more seriously.
As far as my front suspension goes, I think I must have severely screwed lower control arm bushings. Hopefully the K member is not screwed too. What happens is when I get on the gas, the front end rises as you would expect but it doesn’t settle back down to ride height because the torsion bar keys end up resting on the frame rails. I am not going to take this apart until I get all my lower control arm parts, tubular upper control arms and 1.03 torsion bars because I want the car to stay movable.
I have used an old dash face along with some thin metal and fiberglass to make a new gauge carrier plate. It turned out pretty good, but I can’t see it staying red like in the picture. I’m looking at Intellitronix digital gauges but still need to do some more research. Also considering Dakota Digital.
I have also been looking at this old hitch that I got with a 73 bumper I bought a couple years ago. It will likely serve no practical purpose but I think I will blast it up and paint it before installing it on my car. I think I have to figure out a way to support the back of it other than the spare tire well cause that seems kinda hokey. Maybe I can span from frame rail to frame rail with angle Iron or channel to keep the pressure off the tire well. I do get this feeling that my car would look great pulling one of those old Vanguard Banshee ski boats from the 70s if I could find one for a decent price!
The big project I have started looking at is an 8 ¾” rear end for the spring. I purchased what I thought was an A body 8 ¾ housing a couple years ago, but when I put it up on the bench and threw a measuring tape on it, It measures 55 and ½” flange to flange. Definitely wider than an A body housing. It also has spring perches at 44” on center putting it in B body territory. So now I am looking into having it cut to A body width or possibly using it at the width it is at now and just relocate the spring perches. I really want stock A body width so the axles and rims I already have will work but I have to weigh out all my options.
I am really glad to be getting back at this, but my upcoming bonus will dictate exactly how much gets done this year. The front suspension will be done for sure, as well as a few other small things to make it drivable. Maybe I’ll have to have a spare parts sale to fund the rear diff build up, cause I’d really like 4.10 gears to hit the strip with this spring.
Cley
Well it’s been a while since I updated this thread. Once it ran and drove, I was so happy, then to get sidelined by a front suspension issue really let the wind out of my sails. I have been piddling around with some small stuff lately but now I am ready to get back at it more seriously.
As far as my front suspension goes, I think I must have severely screwed lower control arm bushings. Hopefully the K member is not screwed too. What happens is when I get on the gas, the front end rises as you would expect but it doesn’t settle back down to ride height because the torsion bar keys end up resting on the frame rails. I am not going to take this apart until I get all my lower control arm parts, tubular upper control arms and 1.03 torsion bars because I want the car to stay movable.
I have used an old dash face along with some thin metal and fiberglass to make a new gauge carrier plate. It turned out pretty good, but I can’t see it staying red like in the picture. I’m looking at Intellitronix digital gauges but still need to do some more research. Also considering Dakota Digital.
I have also been looking at this old hitch that I got with a 73 bumper I bought a couple years ago. It will likely serve no practical purpose but I think I will blast it up and paint it before installing it on my car. I think I have to figure out a way to support the back of it other than the spare tire well cause that seems kinda hokey. Maybe I can span from frame rail to frame rail with angle Iron or channel to keep the pressure off the tire well. I do get this feeling that my car would look great pulling one of those old Vanguard Banshee ski boats from the 70s if I could find one for a decent price!
The big project I have started looking at is an 8 ¾” rear end for the spring. I purchased what I thought was an A body 8 ¾ housing a couple years ago, but when I put it up on the bench and threw a measuring tape on it, It measures 55 and ½” flange to flange. Definitely wider than an A body housing. It also has spring perches at 44” on center putting it in B body territory. So now I am looking into having it cut to A body width or possibly using it at the width it is at now and just relocate the spring perches. I really want stock A body width so the axles and rims I already have will work but I have to weigh out all my options.
I am really glad to be getting back at this, but my upcoming bonus will dictate exactly how much gets done this year. The front suspension will be done for sure, as well as a few other small things to make it drivable. Maybe I’ll have to have a spare parts sale to fund the rear diff build up, cause I’d really like 4.10 gears to hit the strip with this spring.
Cley
