[BILTIT]

Also, i usually run 91-93 octane but filled her up with 87 this go around. Runs alittle better/smoother and no other issues yet.

[BILTIT]

So no update yet, i have been battling forced renovations on the house but they are almost done. I figure by the end of january i should have the house stuff wrapped up and then into the garage. Going to try and hit the car hard through february.

[ponjohn]

Derek,

What are your plans?

[BILTIT]

Going to start by pulling out the diff, springs, fuel tank, shocks etc. Do the minitub (have the tubs here), and then move on to narrowing the diff and spring relocation.

Probably going to a fuel cell so i can run tailpipes out the back in place of the tank. Just dont think i have room to put them anywhere else.

[BILTIT]

Also going to order my front rims to match the rear and some smaller narrower tires.

rims will be 15x6 (smallest they make) and porbably a 205? tire in place of my 235's.

I need to order some spring eye sliders, shortened axles, bearing ends, fuel cell, other than i think i have everything.

[BILTIT]

Found a company who makes sliders for a GM spring (he makes them for any spring actually). Going to order them up shortly and get a move on.

[BILTIT]

Finally got at the car, pulled the diff, fuel tank, suspension and cut out the tailpipes.

No turning back now.

[ponjohn]

derek-

Curious what your plan of attack is?

John

[BILTIT]

Just about to start cleaning and looking for spot welds to drill out. Slowly work my way back and forth until i get the inners out then i will double check my new minitubs and what i will have to do to fit them. Cut and weld them in along with the frame modification.

Once i get the minitub done i will move onto relocating the springs inboard (front and back), then onto narrowing the diff.

Have been thinking about a fuel cell as it makes routing the exhaust alot easier out the back.

If i get this all done in time i may swing into the city and have a roll bar put in but thats pushing it.

Sucks as all the snow has melted off the streets in the last couple days, we are having unusually warm weather, its not normally lke this until the middle of april but i have a feeling we are going to get another cold snap yet.

[BILTIT]

Found another awesome thread with tons of pics for a minitub.

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46900

[ponjohn]

Mentally I am moving in that direction also; a fuel cell.

Don't forget, if you put a fuel cell in the trunk you'll need the barrier between the trunk and interior.

I'd like to put the mufflers where the tank goes.

How are you going to relocate the forward mounting point of the springs?

[BILTIT]

Ya i was wondering about the trunk to interior barrier thing. Am going over to a buddies place tonight and he has a NHRA rule book so i was going to take a look.

Am going to fabricate a platform to mount the front of the spring, also going to do the same to mount the sliders on the back end. Basically doing what the CE weldin subframe connectors do but without the connectors, will use my existing ones and copy the ends of those ones.

Found a guy who makes sliders for a good price for anything (GM spring eye as most are for the chrysler spring).

[BILTIT]

Ponjohn, just found a post on another board that says if you take the front spring eye buckets and swap them side for side they will retain one of the original mounting bolts but mount inside the frame rail and then you just weld in the rest. I will try that first and see how it works.

[ponjohn]

Cool

[BILTIT]

Got the first part of one side out.

[BILTIT]

more

[71 Ventura II]

Originally Posted by BILTIT

Ponjohn, just found a post on another board that says if you take the front spring eye buckets and swap them side for side they will retain one of the original mounting bolts but mount inside the frame rail and then you just weld in the rest. I will try that first and see how it works.

A local fabricator told me you don't have to move the front spring cup at all when relocating the leaf-springs inboard. If you notice, the springs don't sit in line with the subframe and/or subframe connectors to start with. The factory springs angle outward slightly in relation to the front cup. To move the spring inboard you just need the rear offset hanger, new housing mounts, and the front only "swings" or "pivots" to allow mounting. Apparently after you install the rear offset spring hanger it aligns the spring with the front subframe. JD

[BILTIT]

It depends on how much clearance you need at the front i suppose. The front spring eye is still mounted on the outside of the frame so the tire could hit the spring before the frame. The goal is to have the frame being the limit not the spring.

I may not need to move the front inboard but i will assess that when i get the tub done and tires in place.

[ponjohn]

First point of contact for me is the spring on the backside of the axle tube.

[71 Ventura II]

Originally Posted by BILTIT

It depends on how much clearance you need at the front i suppose. The front spring eye is still mounted on the outside of the frame so the tire could hit the spring before the frame. The goal is to have the frame being the limit not the spring.

I may not need to move the front inboard but i will assess that when i get the tub done and tires in place.

Originally Posted by ponjohn

First point of contact for me is the spring on the backside of the axle tube.

Definitely the same for me too, even with my mini-tub the spring is the issue not the frame. I plan on moving my springs inboard which should allow me to run close to a 13.0" section width. I've heard it can be as much as a 14.0" section but I'm trying to work with the rims I have, but may have to bite the bullet and order a 10" rim with different offset. Good Luck! JD