The Brick, 1972 Dodge Dart Custom
So today was a good day. After last weeks asskicking of getting the rear end assembly out of the car and then the breaking of the shackle, I was hoping for a good Saturday.
Not as many pictures as I had hoped to take, but I was on a roll, but did stop to take a few pictures along the way.
Got the Springs put in. They went in pretty easy. Bolted the front spring hangers to the springs first and then reattached the hangers.
Wheeled the 8 1/4 in on a furniture dolly, and then lifted it up onto jack stands. Connected the springs to the shackles, and then set the rear end onto them. I have to say the Joe's measurements and welds were exactly on.
Pulled the drums off and setup the new brake pads. I HATE DRUM BRAKES.....especially since I only had 2/3 of my brake tools there. Stupid Retainer Springs......Pinched the **** out of my fingers for an hour trying to get them back on with a pair of needlenose pliers......Oh well, they are in there now and binding nice and tight. Although I don't have a picture, I did end up having to plumb an "extender" into the rear brake line to make sure I had enough slack in the rear rubber brake line. At full extension of the springs, the hose was pretty tight, so I cut and bent a 5" piece of brake line and bend a 90 degree bend in it so that there is now a down turn in the metal line. I'll snap a picture when I have the car back up in the air to put the driveshaft back in.
When setting the rear in place, I was dreading not having clearance for the tires. I have read a lot here and on other boards that the F body rear was too wide for an A body bolt in. Well, This was not the case with this one. Albeit I do have to shorten the driveshaft, but the rear, after welding in the new seat, snuggled right into the well pretty good. Prior to setting the car on the ground, I mounted one of the wheels and then use a jack to run the suspension all the way up until I almost lifted the rear of the car up off the jackstand.
I have about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance between the tire sidewall and the lip of the wheel well. No chance of it rubbing out back either. Took the picture laying on my back, and a **** ton of sun overhead (gotta love AZ in the fall) I drew a black line on the picture where the lip of the wheel well is. Nice part is if i want to grab wider wheels for more rubber, the wider rear allows for about 3 more inches of tire without hitting the springs.
And the car is back on all feet now. Pretty much like the way the rear sits on the SS Mopar Springs. Going to adjust the front down a bit to get rid of the 4.5 inches of wheel well showing around the front tires. And the Po' Boy rims and Dog Dishes look damn sexy on there - Even the wife says so.
It gets the flatbed treatment on Tuesday to the local AAMCO for an alignment, drive shaft shortening, and the brake adjustments. Really don't have somewhere I can take it close to the Compartment to adjust them, but Nick said that they can do it on the cheap, which will keep the wife happy.
So today was a good day. After last weeks asskicking of getting the rear end assembly out of the car and then the breaking of the shackle, I was hoping for a good Saturday.
Not as many pictures as I had hoped to take, but I was on a roll, but did stop to take a few pictures along the way.
Got the Springs put in. They went in pretty easy. Bolted the front spring hangers to the springs first and then reattached the hangers.
Wheeled the 8 1/4 in on a furniture dolly, and then lifted it up onto jack stands. Connected the springs to the shackles, and then set the rear end onto them. I have to say the Joe's measurements and welds were exactly on.
Pulled the drums off and setup the new brake pads. I HATE DRUM BRAKES.....especially since I only had 2/3 of my brake tools there. Stupid Retainer Springs......Pinched the **** out of my fingers for an hour trying to get them back on with a pair of needlenose pliers......Oh well, they are in there now and binding nice and tight. Although I don't have a picture, I did end up having to plumb an "extender" into the rear brake line to make sure I had enough slack in the rear rubber brake line. At full extension of the springs, the hose was pretty tight, so I cut and bent a 5" piece of brake line and bend a 90 degree bend in it so that there is now a down turn in the metal line. I'll snap a picture when I have the car back up in the air to put the driveshaft back in.
When setting the rear in place, I was dreading not having clearance for the tires. I have read a lot here and on other boards that the F body rear was too wide for an A body bolt in. Well, This was not the case with this one. Albeit I do have to shorten the driveshaft, but the rear, after welding in the new seat, snuggled right into the well pretty good. Prior to setting the car on the ground, I mounted one of the wheels and then use a jack to run the suspension all the way up until I almost lifted the rear of the car up off the jackstand.
I have about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance between the tire sidewall and the lip of the wheel well. No chance of it rubbing out back either. Took the picture laying on my back, and a **** ton of sun overhead (gotta love AZ in the fall) I drew a black line on the picture where the lip of the wheel well is. Nice part is if i want to grab wider wheels for more rubber, the wider rear allows for about 3 more inches of tire without hitting the springs.
And the car is back on all feet now. Pretty much like the way the rear sits on the SS Mopar Springs. Going to adjust the front down a bit to get rid of the 4.5 inches of wheel well showing around the front tires. And the Po' Boy rims and Dog Dishes look damn sexy on there - Even the wife says so.
It gets the flatbed treatment on Tuesday to the local AAMCO for an alignment, drive shaft shortening, and the brake adjustments. Really don't have somewhere I can take it close to the Compartment to adjust them, but Nick said that they can do it on the cheap, which will keep the wife happy.