RX8 Rear Sub Frame

I'm using the entire rear sub frame and differential from a Mazda RX8 and have just finished fabricating some simple brackets to bolt it to my space frame.  The sub frame has 6 massive bolts that have a U shaped alignment pattern so figuring out how to get everything squared up was interesting.

Here are the 6 bolt holes finally completed (obviously the car is upside down in these photos):

Sub frame attached:

I'm using 16 gauge tubing nearly everywhere... This is fine in most cases but it can easily crush under a bolt of this size, so I've welded some 1/8" stock around the tube for extra strength at the main bolts locations:

 Before:

After:

Frame Fabrication Update

Here are a couple of shots of the frame as it is.  For the most part, the front end tubing is complete.  There are still a few tubes that will be put into the front member to reinforce the push-rod front suspension, but that will have to wait until later.

Design Update 3

I've decided the body will be polished steel with a clear coat and some flake red accents.  I've updated the model to reflect this and begun the design of the rear end and bed.

I'm still looking at a 4" chop, but there are some critical dimensions that have to be worked out first.  The car will sit 5" off of the ground and has a 5" deep floor, so the dash is really low and leaves very little leg room.  This also affects the placement of the steering column.

Control Arm Brackets

Since I'm using the existing sub frame on the front, all I had to create for control arm brackets were the lower rear.  On the RX8 these are in a horizontal configuration for alignment purposes.

Here you can see the final bracket in its horizontal configuration:

There's still tape covering the compliance bushing here from when I painted the aluminum control arm, but you can see the cam nut for alignment adjustments:

I used an 2"x2"x1/8" square tube and had to cut it down to be the correct height to accept the arm and bushing:

I just hope my positioning is accurate enough that this small amount of adjustment the cam nut gives will be adequate for wheel alignments...

I Have A Body!

My dad and I went and picked up a 1946 Ford cab yesterday for the build.  Somehow, after all I've done this makes it seem real!  First things first, I'm taking apart the doors and fixing all the rusted guts of the window and latch mechanisms.  Then I'm going to figure the chop at the bottom of the body according to my frame.  Then I'll figure the chop at the windows.  A bit of media blasting might be in order too...

Oliver Tractor Grill

I have obtained the grill from an Oliver 66 tractor made around 1950 for the front of my car.  Its in pretty rough condition but that can change.  Here are a few updated design pics:

Design Update

I've been struggling a bit trying to find a body that I really like at a price that fits this budget build.  Here are a few shots updating the chop and body position of "generic 40's truck A."

It Lives!!! Pt 2

Make sure to go back and look at my post "It Lives!!!" again as I've updated a lot of information and images there!