Digz's 65 panel

Just a quick add,, I had to trim off about 3/4 of an inch on the bottom of the door side rocker panel and re flange the bottom to get the right curve and keep the upper body line from wanting to flare out, I dont know if all panels would be that way , but it something to look out for.

That panel behind front wheel is a pain. Nice job on repair. What size are those Keystones?? You got a pic of fronts?? Seems Like I saw some around here on Craigslist?? But not sure if there raders??

All I have right now are a pair of 15x10s to go on the back. I'd like to get ahold of a pair of 15x7 or 8s for the front, probably 7" wide would be best for the steer. New they are about 155 $
apiece. Ive seen them called keystone Klassics and Raiders so Im not sure about the model but Cragar makes them, also I think the Uni- lug set up would be the easiest find.I'll get a pic of the ones I have to compare to.

Theres a guy here in town(FT Wayne) on Craigslist that has a set of 15 x7 & 15 x10(uni-lug) with tires for $300. But no pic on his add

I Played with scissors today.

Did a mock up in paper of the sheet metal I need to make.Also I removed the engine cover and stripped off some of the 230 parts.


This is the candidate for the V8 swap, it looks rough but had an overhaul not all that long ago, it was a left over from our welding rig truck that we converted to a trailer.
Savage, I sent an email to the Ft Worth guy. see what comes of it.
All in all it was a good day.

Looks like a good day to me. That a 307, are you useing the 3 speed standerd trans,or auto???You going to use a 2nd gen doghouse or make your own?? Hope you can make a deal with the guy on the wheels.

I used a combination of a drill and the air chisel, If they acted like they were going to be tough, I hit them with a 3/8 bit but didnt drill all the way through, fortunately or unfortunately there was quite a bit of rust under the lip on about half of it and the spots broke loose real easy with the air tool, it actually went alot easier than I had thought it would. I plan on only using the front and the upper portion of the doghouse, lol, but plans change all the time. The V8 is a 350, I can't remember if its a 4 bolt or not, it is out of a 73 1 ton truck.
No answer on the email about the wheels. but Im not in a big yank anyway. The 15x10s I got are a little rough but the price was right (free) and I figured I can always upgrade later when the $ is more available.

I've been making some progress this past week, hard to tell by looking at it tho. set the V8 in it to size things up. ordered some stuff, borrowed a gutted 700r4 to work on the crossmember with, got that started today, Right or wrong ,I lowered the engine an inch and a half to help with clearance and maybe match up with the after market radiator Im going to stick in it.

I put it down on tires and adjusted the body with jackstands to the ride height Im shooting for and then played with the tranny height before starting the crossmember.

Its just to cold to mess with filler and paint right now, so Im working the mechanical and custom fit stuff.
Im trying to think of everything but if anybody has any pointers or things to look out for I'd appreciate the input.

Got the X-member for the tranny finished today.

Its painted IH red because somebody had used up the black.

The next fab is the radiator mount

that should keep me busy for a couple more days.

Lookin good Joe. Going to be nice when you finish. Keep the pic's coming....

Nice job You going to make your own doghouse??

Think Gotavan (Dan) has a doghouse for him...

Kewl, I cant wait to get my flatty. You do some nice work brother!!

Thanks guys. I think Bakers might be wishful thinking this year but its hard to tell ,,depends on what problems I have with wiring and plumbing mostly.
Yeah Savage ,, gonna do a floor up on the doghouse, have some ideas I want to try and will have to fab around them a bit.
I ran some 1/2 in id tube with 7/16 bolts thru the frame to keep it from crushing on the bottom bolt, just pass thru 3/8 on the upper bolts. drilling thru that thin frame steel for a large hole was a pain, tried a hole saw that was to slow, tried a step drill, that bites, ended beating the crap out of my hands with a 25/32 drill bit . If i had more room to work under it I think it would have been easier with the hole saw, trying to get pressure on the drill laying sideways and such was a pain. If i was more talented with the plasma cutter could have went that way I guess, still learning what all I can use that on, they are amazing.worked on the Rad support today.

what are you using for radiator and fans?? i need better cooling in my beast!!

Well,, I bought a aftermarket online , Im only hoping it does the job, either way gonna be in a position to find out.
Its a 2 core 24x19 aluminum, I have a 16 inch electric fan im gonna try. only thing is Im going to have to install a seperate tranny cooler, it almost the same surface area as the original Rad, ,just hoping its alot more efficient.and opening up a tunnel for air to.

There sure isnt a whole lot of room to accomplish an overkill

WOW Digz,
Looks great. Sweeet lookin bracket. A lot of thought went into that one, good job! Keep the pic's coming....

Im not sure how it would work ina 1st gen ,but as long as your going with that 2nd gen doghouse it might make sense to check on the radiator swap too, I havent looked at the 2nd gens much in that area, I think I know a guy who has all of that to. !! Isnt a 2nd gen radiator 28 inches wide? I know theres only about 30-31 inches between the frame flanges on mine , If you think a stock parts swap would work ,I bet it would be easier than fabbing up
all that and you still could have a transcooler built into the system. I was just working with what I had,for brackets, it gets tight over there by the master cylinder

without shipping the radiator I got was 139$, fan and switch was about 65, but its a made in china thing ,,, had to,, my wallet was grumbling. Even at 24 inches wide i had to shave the rightside original braket to make my rig fit,

The doghouse tunnel has been a slow process , was waiting on some mailorder stuff and just alot of head scratching but this is what Im coming up with so far, The tunnel will wrap around the radiator and the rear portion of the doghouse will come completly off ,,, Thas the plan so far anyway.


The air tube will actually be offset more to the passenger side to allow room for the shifter to set on top . Right now Its removable to,havent decided wether to weld it down or bolt it ,leaning towards welding it. sheetmetal on the sides diamond plate Al on top.