Fabricated A-Body spindle ideas and discussion

swisswill said
I’ll let you make that call, but I’m happy to put some skin in the game. You obviously have a lot of time on this and I’m good throwing in some coin if not time.

Appreciate that.

swisswill said
The bent sheet metal spindle is very similar to the Speedway Motors G Force upright, and if send cut send can do it at reasonable prices, could potentially be done in a slightly above average garage. As I look closer at that upright, seems like that might work if there was a 1” drop built into the spindle. I recall a page or two back some discussion about building in some drop.

I don't think dropping the hub will work, but I do plan to raise the UBJ some so an extended one isn't required. That should match the F-Body spindle with the extended balljoint without the addition of a non-standard part. I still have to decide if I will move the UBJ in some to reduce scrub radius or just leave it alone, and I will need to make sure it still clears the 18" wheel since the UBJ won't be in exactly the same spot as the F-Body setup.

swisswill said
Thinking about caster, is it really necessary to build in 7 degrees? Seems like three or four would be sufficient given stock should be able to get 3.5-4. That top piece could be square with an offset for caster, then taper-reamed out in a home garage. Just a couple thoughts.

The 7 degrees is all me. I've been researching late model cars and found the S197 Boss 302 had 7 degrees, plus others. @72bluNblu mentioned once (if memory serves) that he ran 7 degrees for awhile and then dialed it back to 6. I figure if I build in 7, 1 degree could be dialed out if desired or 7 could be run. And by engineering it in, the LBJ stays level and the OTR is in more of the as-designed location.

swisswill said
Appreciate all your design and other work on this Dion.

Thanks. Been working on this idea since SEMA 2023. :D