^ looks real good! :thumbsup:

Made a little more progress on the car this week but not too much. The rear suspension is back in and hopefully for the last time. I'm now concentrating on getting the wheels ordered up. This part is driving me nuts...

I've decided on Formula 43 wheels and 275/335 18's based on feedback from a few people. I may play around with the possibility of a 295 but probably not. Luckily Travis at Formula 43 is VSRY patient.

The fronts I'm thinking a 10" rim with 6.75 BS. I could push it out a bit more but I'm debating because I really don't want any front rubbing when the suspension compresses. I'm going to check it again to see if 6.5" will be ok.

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The backs i'm debating 12-12.5 rim. Overall the rear is a very tight fit even with the tubs. I think I screwed up and should have stretched the tubs more when I installed them. Another 1/4" would have made things much easier. As of now with a 12.5" setup mocked in place I only have ~3/8 clearance inside and out when the suspension is fully compressed. I think it's going to rub. Most likely I'm going to try to cut the floors and stretch the tubs this weekend.

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I'm measuring everything at full compression for worst case but I don't really know if I'm over compressing the suspension. I assume 2" compression would be accurate, is this correct?

watch out for that little bump out an inch above the wheel lip. you can chop it out and modify it and it gives you a ton of room.

Good tip. Looks like the suspension is coming back off for some more cutting and welding. 1 step forward 2 steps back... lesson learned.

Tip for anyone else fitting big tires by mini tubbing. Get the tires test fitted before final welding the mini tubs and before seam sealing and painting/undercoating everything. I thought there would be plenty of clearance but it seems I thought wrong. It's still a bit tight.

Take a day off -- get Bryan and head for The Salt Lick.... then come home and you'll feel all mo beta.


Seriously Steve - you're tackling a huge project trying to do all this the first time around and at home. So KUDOS to you! Keep telling yourself "it's all part of the hobby and I'm having so much fun!"


:BlahBlah: :BlahBlah: :lol: :lol: :lol:

No time for a break, need to get this done and only get 1-1. days per week to tackle it. Although, Salt Lick does sound good......

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm not frustrated by the issues I found, I'm used to learning by doing things wrong. Been doing it all my life. I am having fun and learning a great deal.

Vince - One question. I'm thinking to cut the inner fender but leave it attached at the edge by the quarter panel. Then I'm thinking to reform it in the car and weld the 3 cuts back together. Is this what you recommend or should I cut the whole section out reform it and weld it all back? I think I'm going to go ahead and to the same thing for the fronts before I get the wheels ordered up.

I ran into the same problem in the rear with my car. DSE Instruction are very vaque and leave you quessing at most steps.

It's not to late to go back and remove another inch so you can fit the tires you actually want on the car.

Don't forget that you can always run a small spacer behind the wheel if you decide you need it. So I would err on the side of tucking the wheel a little more than you think necessary if you are uncertain, and a 1/8" or so spacer will be your friend in the end if needed!

Not sure if I can help, but call if you need it. As we discovered, I'm about a mile away. I will be at The Driveway all day tomorrow though for my first track day. So get this thing together so you can join me soon!

and shoot me your address and I will send you the fender roller.

Agree completely, I'm measuring with the thought of the 1/8" spacer just in case. Much easier than sending the wheel back.

That would be awesome. I'll shoot you a PM