The Nuclear Banana...... Redux!!! Even "MORE" progress pics....

Thanks Jon. That's what I'm waiting on is a bumpsteer kit from UPR. I figured I would just put that on there and save any hassles if they do arise.









Doug...

but you still need to check it................even after you put the kit on.

Understood. I plan on it. The reason for the kit is, they told me it has longer tie rod ends than the ones I have. I'm not sure if I can get longer ones in factory form, so I was just going to go that route & kill 2 birds with 1 stone, so to speak.





Doug...

Pinion is @ 2* down. Driveshaft angle from trans to pinion is 3*.

Doug, if your saying the pinion is nose down -2.0* & the driveshaft is tail down -3.0* that's a driveshaft/pinion angle U-joint combined operating angle of -5.0*, that a lot for a ladder bar car.

What's the combined operating angles at the driveshaft/slip yoke? It's hard to tell fore sure from the pic but it looks like it might be around maybe +1.0* to +1.5*.

I'll check it today and let ya know.


Thanks Dave.





Doug...

Got a little more done on the truck yesterday. I got rid of the mounting bolts for the back of the front fenders, and converted them over to dzus fasteners.



I still need to put a dzus mount on the lower/rear portion of the fender to secure that, but it stays where I put it. I'm thinking right above the Quick Fuel decal.


With all the room in the engine bay now, my BBF looks like a SBF.


More to come. And soon I hope. I have less than 2 weeks to get it done.




Doug...

looking good Doug.

Thanks Jason. Here's a couple more of the lower fender where I installed the dzus fastener & my "custom" bracket I made.










Doug...

very nice job Doug! your ride is going together and mine is coming apart.

Thanks guys. I got the driver's side done this morning.



Just waitin' on the rest of my frontend parts to get here & my front engine plate, then I can Or should have it running by next weekend.






Doug...

Good progress Doug!!

I bet your right foot is getting twitchy waiting to unleash the banana on some poor unsuspecting chevy!!

Bill

You have no idea.








Doug...

Don't be surprised if you eventually loose the "wings" off the Dzus buttons, they can snap off easily with enough use.

I already changed them out for the slotted ones. They just look a little cleaner. I put the winged ones on my hood in case of fire, everyone won't be running around looking for a screwdriver to get my hood off. I may change them out too though.







Doug...

ThndrChkn wrote:I already changed them out for the slotted ones. They just look a little cleaner. I put the winged ones on my hood in case of fire, everyone won't be running around looking for a screwdriver to get my hood off. I may change them out too though.







Doug...

Well, now you have some spares for the hood ones!! That's a good idea about not using the flush mounted deals on your hood.

Bill

billandlori wrote:Well, now you have some spares for the hood ones!! That's a good idea about not using the flush mounted deals on your hood.

Bill

Yeah, I do like the idea of the winged fasteners on my hood. Too many times I've seen/heard about fires on the starting line or in the staging lanes, and by the time someone finds a screwdriver, or even a coin, your car needs a new hood. At minimum in most cases.








Doug...

looking good doug
it shure has come along way since it was a 4x4

i was thinking about doing the same thing for mounting my front clip
how or what did you do for the grill and lights?

I'll get ya a few pics Jesse. For starters, I used a plasma cutter and skeletonized the factory core support. The only thing still left is enough to hold it to the frame, and support the hood. The grille and what appears to be head lights, are in the factory locations. I used black plexiglas to cover the gaping holes left by not having any headlight buckets.






Doug...

Here's a few pics of my ultra light, semi-factory core support for ya Jesse. I cut just about everything out that I could reach, and then to help support the 2 uprights, I welded 2 pieces of 1/8" angle to them. I had to notch them in the center to clear a couple of bolts, but left the sides intact to maintain support.










Doug...

cool
thanxs doug
i think i am gonna get the cut off wheel out
were did you get the fastners you used for the fenders
i like that idea
i am trying to get my front clip to be able to come off in sec's
looks like that is the way to go
and it looks alot better than a flip up front deal

Thanks Jesse. I got the dzus fasteners from Joe Mayabb @ Joe's Race Parts. He's a vendor on here. I wouldn't mess with the cut-off wheel to do that, if you have access to one, I'd use a plasma cutter. Way, Way, faster. Here's another pic of about 20 more lbs. I just took off the frontend this evening. Oooooh Yeah, weight loss is Neat thing is, this stuff was just alot of extra sheet metal hangin' in the way. I can't wait to weigh this thing.










Doug...

cool deal Doug cut the weight looking good.

Got that right Jason. You'll have to try and make it over for one of my 1st trips to the track. I took a few more lbs. off today as well. I also figured since I have to wait for my other parts to get here I'd get the radiator fitted. I had a few "small" glitches but they proved no match for my iron will to get this thing finished.

Here, I had to notch the frame & plate it (since it's 3" narrower than the factory one) in order to get my radiator in & lower radiator hose on, & to keep it from rubbing on the frame once installed. Also, had to notch the frame because my petcock was on the "outside" of the radiator & was also hitting the frame.


Here's my modified lower radiator brackets. I cut them off the old core support, and welded them just inside the notched frame.



Here's a shot with everything installed but the grille and my new homemade fiberglass bumper.


I'm gettin' pumped!




Doug...

Lookin pretty trick there Doug!! Getting close.....

Bill

looks good and I personally can't wait to see the lower ET's Doug's truck is truly awesome