68 Dart Project.
The leaking rear window ended up rotting a small portion on each corner of the panel over the fuel tank. Being that the plan is to go with a trunk mounted fell cell it was an easy decision to fabricate and install a full panel. Picture below.
Conveniently, a buddy called and said that he had rounded up the Dana parts and pieces that I was asking about so the time was right to scoop those items up and get to work on the Dana.
The future Dana for the Dart. After several hours of scraping, cleaning, grinding and wire wheeling the old housing was ready for mods.
The Dart is a 100% home build, and that includes building the Dana. Lots of time was taken setting up the old chop saw and making sure everything was measured and square. Cutting the tubes took one hell of a long time too!
The new width. 41.375" to the ends.
Ready to install the used housing ends that were taken from a 8-3/4. Everything squared up with bearing blocks and 1.250" solid shaft that a buddy borrowed to me.
Lots of time was taken when first tac welding the ends. A couple of tac welds needed to be broke due to pulling. Making sure the shaft moves freely between each weld paid off. In finished form the housing is a touch under 46.5" and the shaft slides effortlessly back and forth, a nice straight housing that will be running 3.54's, spool, 35 spline axles with green bearing and long studs.
With the Dana housing finished up it was time to spend a little time in the rear tubs, cleaning them up and making them smooth.
The spare tire bottom showed up so it was time to get the old floor cut out. The new bottom will be raised 3" so it won't be hanging down and instead be tucked up in between the frame rails.
Fitting the new bottom went smooth, the future home of the fuel cell. At some point I'll cut out the drain holes, maybe..
Getting started on building a base for the fuel cell. I'm using 18 gauge, cutting with a zip cutter and breaking with an old home made break that I mount in my vise. Hey, it works! And this is a back yard Dart project.
The leaking rear window ended up rotting a small portion on each corner of the panel over the fuel tank. Being that the plan is to go with a trunk mounted fell cell it was an easy decision to fabricate and install a full panel. Picture below.
Conveniently, a buddy called and said that he had rounded up the Dana parts and pieces that I was asking about so the time was right to scoop those items up and get to work on the Dana.
The future Dana for the Dart. After several hours of scraping, cleaning, grinding and wire wheeling the old housing was ready for mods.
The Dart is a 100% home build, and that includes building the Dana. Lots of time was taken setting up the old chop saw and making sure everything was measured and square. Cutting the tubes took one hell of a long time too!
The new width. 41.375" to the ends.
Ready to install the used housing ends that were taken from a 8-3/4. Everything squared up with bearing blocks and 1.250" solid shaft that a buddy borrowed to me.
Lots of time was taken when first tac welding the ends. A couple of tac welds needed to be broke due to pulling. Making sure the shaft moves freely between each weld paid off. In finished form the housing is a touch under 46.5" and the shaft slides effortlessly back and forth, a nice straight housing that will be running 3.54's, spool, 35 spline axles with green bearing and long studs.
With the Dana housing finished up it was time to spend a little time in the rear tubs, cleaning them up and making them smooth.
The spare tire bottom showed up so it was time to get the old floor cut out. The new bottom will be raised 3" so it won't be hanging down and instead be tucked up in between the frame rails.
Fitting the new bottom went smooth, the future home of the fuel cell. At some point I'll cut out the drain holes, maybe..
Getting started on building a base for the fuel cell. I'm using 18 gauge, cutting with a zip cutter and breaking with an old home made break that I mount in my vise. Hey, it works! And this is a back yard Dart project.
