Got the 66 in her spot for the Winter....Body Drop and Air Ride Woody Panels

Decided while she was waiting for some parts, I would start to work on the Woody Panels. I am using 1/4 oak for the trim, and some 3M decals for the base. Here is just the start of mapping it out.

And she fits nice a tight in the garage space that I have. Love them old bumper jacks, cant use them on too many new cars. And my best helper. Myles from Max and Myles Hot Rods. A buddy is flying in from Arizona to give me hand over the Thanksgiving weekend, but I will get a start over the next week or so. Headed to Carlisle this week to see what I cant live without!

Also looking to put wider wheels and tires in the back. Since I have to notch the frame anyway, I'm going to narrow the rear frame a bit and put a Suzuki Samurai rear end in. It is about 9.5 inches more narrow than the factory rear end, kit has 3:73 gears so I can run a bigger tire, and it is 5 x 5.5 lug pattern. I will be able to fit a 15 x 15 wheel back there, but I might stick with a 12 wide and 4 inch back spacing. Still want to run white walls so if I can get a nice big whitewall tire, I will go with the 15 x 15 .

Got the floor and the wheel wells cut out and the Suzuki Samurai rear end in place.

Started on the frame notch. Got all the parts cut and welded. Got one side tacked in place. Im gonna wrap the "frame" with 3/16 about a foot in front and back of the notch. Hopefully starting on the 4 link this weekend. Wheels should be here today.

Got the rest of the notches tacked in. Got the rear end in place with the wheels on it. Tires are gonna be tight. After the body drop, she might be tucking all wheel.

How wide are the new wheels.

Big W wrote:How wide are the new wheels.

15x12

Hmmmmm....that gives me an idea ...I wanted to widen my inner fenderwell anyway for a littls extra clearence for 10 inch wide mags but looking at the space you have without moving the frame in, I'd have to say those 12's fit really nice. Glad I held back on buying mine this summer. Thanks for the pic and info.

Big W wrote:Hmmmmm....that gives me an idea ...I wanted to widen my inner fenderwell anyway for a littls extra clearence for 10 inch wide mags but looking at the space you have without moving the frame in, I'd have to say those 12's fit really nice. Glad I held back on buying mine this summer. Thanks for the pic and info.

Cool. The only thing you will have to change the location of the leaf springs. I don't see why you just could not move them to the frame rails if you want to keep the leaf springs. Then 10's would fit easily. I did not try with the factory rear end in it, but with the right back spacing I am sure they would fit nice.

Got started on the crossmember for the 4 link today. Got the hole cut in the floor, and all the parts cut and capped.

Got the front crossmember tacked in. Ran out of welding gas and wire. Bedtime.

[img]https://i.servimg.com/u/f33/17/83/08/60/10-17-10.jpg[/img











Started on one side of the trailing arm. Semi mocked into place, I am going to mount the bag on the trailing arm instead of the axle to save some room.

this is getting good!

Well I am taking a break from the van for a few days. My chick wants some night stands for the kid. I had 2 smoothie wheels left over from the Econoline, and an extra steering wheel. I used a 59 Cadillac tail light lens that will act as a night light, that he will be able to turn on and off using the gear selector. I have not figured that part out, but I will. I used 1 1/4 conduit for the shaft so I could run some lamp wire safely.

Very Cool......keep the great pics coming.

Got the tires mounted and under the van. They are just about an inch too wide. Bummer. Gonna have to get wheels with an inch more back spacing. They fit under enough to get the suspension set, but not to drive.

Got the bushings for the bottom 4 link bars. Rounding off the ends.

what size are those tires & wheels back spacing as used -on THOSE?

Could you also post a pic of the tires from the inside, at ride height and lowerd...plz and thx.

Twinpilot001 wrote:what size are those tires & wheels back spacing as used -on THOSE?

The wheels are 15x12 with 4.25 back spacing. I need at least 5.25, and wouldn't hurt if it was a little more. I have some room between he inside of the wheel and the frame. The tires are 325 50 15. I could only get that size in drag radials. A little much for my 200 straight 6, but fit the wheel just right.

Big W wrote:Could you also post a pic of the tires from the inside, at ride height and lowerd...plz and thx.

I will do that once I get the suspension in place. I am just finishing the lower bars, and I have the material for the upper bars, so it should only be a couple of days before I have the rear end swinging. I will have to get the new wheels before I can show you exactly what you are looking for, and I still have to do the 4 inch body drop.

Big W wrote:Could you also post a pic of the tires from the inside, at ride height and lowerd...plz and thx.

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OH MAN!!!...I'm liken this look. What are you thinking for tubs? Will you re-use and widen the original wheel well or go with larger tubs with bigger diameter.

[quote="Big W"]OH MAN!!!...I'm liken this look. What are you thinking for tubs? Will you re-use and widen the original wheel well or go with larger tubs with bigger diameter.[/quote

I'm gonna go with new tubs. Gonna make my own. Then a box to cover the axle and front cross member. Still a ton to do, but I am moving along.