Vega Time,AGAIN!!! Now going twin turbo...

[Rickracer]

Update time, moving right along...























Mostly killing time doing busy work till I get the 2"x4" material to make the back brace for my 9" and 1.5"x3" for the subframe connectors, then I'll figure out just how I'm gonna mate and position all the pieces together. One thing that is gonna be important, (to me), is the ability to set this thing on the ground. I want to be able to tuck the tires ALL the way.

[vegon71]

OK I got to admit, I just got all giddy inside when I seen you were tubbing it Whats not to love about a tubed Vega,,,AWESOME!
Are you gonna half to stretch the wheel openings with that size tire?

[Rickracer]

Yes, unless I have one of my bodywork/painter friends volunteer to do them in steel, or find some that would fit and look right that I could graft on myself, I'll probably buy the Harwoods like Spencerforhire's Vega has. They look pretty good,

[vegon71]

I ended up doing mine myself by cutting and removing a chunk then filling back in the gap on the flare. The fiberglass ones are nice and if you thing there to wide you can just remove a section in the middle and squeeze it in a little. Keep us updated!

[Rickracer]

If mine were nice, I'd go ahead and tackle them myself, just stretch them, and let the body man make them look good, but they were a little rusty and bondo-ed up already,

No pics tonight, but rest assured, I'm measuring, plotting and planning.....and doing some rack and pinion shopping....I think I wanna try a Chevette rack, from what I've read, the length is perfect, travel might not be so great though, haven't seen an accurate measurement on that yet. Anybody know anybody that might have one laying around to measure, or maybe even sell?

[Rickracer]

Project update: doesn't look like much progress yet, but it's the first thing I've welded back on, rather than cutting off, ........
The rear of the frame rails will be welded to this 2' x 3' x 1/8". I also picked up 12' of 1.5" x 3" x 1/8", that will be the sub-frame connectors, and 3' of 2' x 3' x 1/8" for the back brace for the 9".



















I start on sub-frame connectors tomorrow,

[waybad]

Sweet build,

[Rickracer]

Pretty good progress today:

[HAULIN' IT]

Rick, I've done several Crown Vic brake swaps onto 9"...if you have any questions while doing it let me know, would be glad to help. Lorne

[prolsc]

Looks pretty good, I like what you did with the frame conectors, I was thinking about doing almost the same thing to mine when I get to that point. Keep the updates coming.

[Rickracer]

Rick, I've done several Crown Vic brake swaps onto 9".... Lorne

I thought about the Crown Vic, cuz we've got a few around, (My shop is a division of Yellow Cab of Kissimmee Inc., ), but my 9" is the big bearing version, and I've found that the Exploder backing plates will bolt right on, (I'm in the process of doing an Exploder 8.8 for my S10 too), so I'll either grab another set of those, or just fab up some brackets and use some GM calipers, in fact, I think I've got a pair of 2000 S10 rear calipers (aluminum) laying around in a box somewhere, might use some Crown Vic rotors though.

Looks pretty good, I like what you did with the frame connectors, I was thinking about doing almost the same thing to mine when I get to that point. Keep the updates coming.

I think if I had another chance to start over, I'd go with 2"x3" instead of 1.5"x3", there is more room than I thought, and the 2" would be stronger with out adding much weight. I'm sure they will work fine though, and they definitely tuck up tight to the pinch weld. By the time it's painted, you won't even see them,

[Rickracer]

Making progress on the frame connectors, but MAN it's a battle. It's really tough to get all the zinc coating off the sheet metal to get a good clean weld. Passenger side is pretty much done, and fitting the driver's side now, should be welding it in tonight. Then I can trim up the sub frame , get it in position and weld it in. Next after that will be getting the back brace and 4 link brackets on the axle housing so I can mock it up. I'll post some pics tonight or tomorrow.

[Rickracer]

Little more progress, seems like it takes forever to get the sub-frame connectors fitted, almost there with the driver's side now.





Took a break from that last night to do the back brace for the 9":







It's ready to weld in....
A little mock up action:

[HAULIN' IT]

Rick, I would be VERY concerned about welding the backbrace on without at least checking the alignment of the housing ends with an alignment system when your done. I've seen even short rears like yours pull back 1/8" or so while installing the brace.
One guy brought me a rear some years ago to install the ends...he "had EVERYTHING done (4 link brackets, backbrace, ect.) & just needed the ends put on". Well, one side was off an 1/8" to being in line with the tube, the other side, I had to cut the tube out & install a new one...it was over a 1/4" off, more than the wall thickness of the tube. Proceed with caution! Lorne

[Rickracer]

I have a jig, and I use it: