Thanks Trey!

Thanks a bunch Ron. It's been a crazy 6 months for sure. Hope all is OK with you and your family.

Sorry to disappoint Todd! I promise to have car related updates in the near future, as well as updates on my condition.

Updates
 

Thanks for the update, Aaron! Sorry to hear the physical news, but with your strong and positive attitude, I'm sure you will persevere. I'll keep you in my prayers! Hoping to hear more good news about the car and you, too.

Back to the car!
 

Ok on to some updates on the car instead of me! Thank you all for the well wishes though, things are moving along and I've started treatment. So far, so good everything has been going well.

So, I've been on a quest for the last few years (well since I built the car initially) to get bigger tires under it. 315's all around. After discussing options with Mr. Sutton, we came up with a plan to do just that. I had a few sacred cows those being: use my Forgeline wheels (widened of course), keep the back seat, not modify the exterior body. Other than massaging some fender lips, we're good on all counts so far!

Step One, disassemble:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psqvzvamrc.jpg

Step Two, mock up big tars!
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psmozqmbfo.jpg

Some of these pictures are from some time ago as I've been working on and off the project for a while. So most likely, some may be out of chronological order sorry.

RSRT supplied the front clip (TA2 if I remember correctly, Ron please confirm) with all the trimmings as well as the data for me to build the rear suspension from a design that I did from scratch. As a lot of you know, I don't have the engineering company that I was partners in anymore, well since January 1st of 2017... So thankfully I had the design pretty much wrapped up in detail before then, the only real issue is I don't have access to the CNC machines to make the cool parts now! I'll figure out something as I only need a few items now.

I'm trying Google images instead of photobucket as I've not been happy with it really. So the images come in big! And videos I can only get to work as a link, not embedded. Anyway, here is some detail on the front RSRT clip:
Bare clip
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psfwnyumfw.jpg

Graphed into stock frame
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps61p4glwo.jpg

to be continued...

So on to the rear setup. Like I mentioned, I had designed this setup with data points from Ron. One sacred cow (keep the back seat), kept me from getting a more ideal setup, but I was willing to make that sacrafice.

What I came up with was a 3-link to replace the factory tri-angulated 4-link with the addition of a Watt's link. It almost packages completely under the stock floor/trunk pan...I say almost because the upper 3rd link bracket needs a clearance area in the trunk "shelf" above the axle.

I jigged up the frame to a frame cart, setting it at ride height and tacking it down. After everything was squared up and true, I cut out the kick-up area over the axle. I drew up and had new frame rails laser cut out. They also utilize internal gusseting with tab-in-slot construction. They are really stout.
Here's the rear rail section during fab.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psbmlcio0h.jpg

I originally had planned on a factory style tri-angulated 4-link with a Watts. But upon finding the CAD model going into bind with the addition of the Watts, and then confirming it with a few guys that actually had a Watts with a 4-link, I decided to go to the 3. Glad I did in hindsight, look for the link to the video below!

Ok here is the 3-link during fab/mock up (I know, the welds suck on the crossmber side plates...it was the very first thing I ever tig welded, I got better, honest!):
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pss0iqylyq.jpg

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psp4yyd9wt.jpg

Once the axle was hung, I moved on to the Watts link, or Oberlink as it's been called. I wanted a chassis mounted bellcrank that packaged well, so this is what I came up with. It has rc adjustment from 7.5-12.5".
Pcs to build it (thanks UMI!):
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psb9sings1.png

Bell crank assembly, built by myself:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psiqzjyhlk.jpg
Assembly:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psnz3qg6ki.jpg
The last big part of the rear is the Strange housing and center section, a Pro HD aluminum case with a Detroit Locker and 3.70 gears, DSE C7 bearings and C6 brake brackets.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psfofu12vu.jpg
Mounted up:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psdvtnlgpv.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pshhga2sj5.jpg
And now, the cool part seeing it in action!


Next post I'll show some of the other parts that were custom made.

So in order to build a rear setup that is basically a one-off, it requires a bunch of custom parts. There was a ton including all of the laser cut parts (almost 40 pcs there alone).
Here are some of the laser cut and machined pcs.
Rear lower shock mounts:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psdfcb8fba.jpg

Axle tube mounts for the Watts, also the rear sway bar attaches directly to this bracket. A top clam shell clamp was also made.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2tkextpa.jpg

Some of the link eyes in process. I made both right and left hand versions so they are on-car adjustable.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psg3k2k4cr.jpg
The milling steps to make them, not including turning and threading.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8rv8dij0.jpg

Here are the 3 links and the lower shock mounts all finished up and powder coated.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pssgrprjij.jpg

I went with a transmission mount that was made from tab-and-slot construction as well.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pszkhpffvn.jpg

Of course, I made the bell crank for the Watts...and a few spares :)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psmok2kj6d.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psbm9zheeo.jpg


Can't seem to find the other pics, but that'll do for now. Should give you an idea.

Aaron, most of your pics didn't post.

Crap, do you have a Google account? I wonder if that's it.
Thanks Marcus

EDIT: Ok, I'm working on getting the photos transferred over the photobucket...grrrr. Thought I'd try something new...but nooooo.
They should be showing up now.

wow wow wow:headspin::faint::yes::wow::hail::drool::brix:

and you have double for a 65' out in CA??:cheers:

No, no double! Wolf pack of one :flag2:

No pics here either.....and I actually wanted to see them. Learn to forum noob!

Get yourself setup here. www.smugmug.com

:bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

Darn! I thought I could join the pack:patriot: and conquer the west....:guns::cheers:

From what I could see, that is some serious business now!!! GOOD JOB!

I see the pics Aaron, but Ive had same issue with Google and photobucket. Just go to smugmug, so much faster and easier.

Love the unmasking, can't wait to see more!!!

They should be all fixed now. I moved them to photobucket...
Thanks Lance. There are some more details, but not much more to see!

SO bad ass Aaron!

As the song says, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone...!!" Nice pics Aaron. That 315 on the front is gonna look mean.

The multi axis bushing, where did those come from?

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pssgrprjij.jpg

All those BA pics and that's all you want to know? :lol:

These are production pieces (oem) for a Fisker Karma. No joke. They were also used in a Range Rover application I believe. SPC has very similar ones available now in various sizes. Here's a LINK

You know it!

Oh yeah. I hope they perform just as good!

Packaging looks tight! Very cool!

Damn, a 315 on the front :trophy-1302: WOW

Yes, very. In quite a few places!

Gotta make the big girl turn better!

Wow this car is really going to the next level

x2. Looking forward to the final result.

Glad to see you update your thread. The frame and suspension components look amazing. I love seeing the stuff you engineer and build.
Glad your treatments are going well. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks guys! X3!

Thanks Mark. Now get your rearend up here to get your rearend! Lol

NEw to the thread and only time to skim through. , Sorry to hear Aaron. Best of luck

Nice to see all the pics land here! The car is going to be radical. Smiles for miles brother!

:captain:

This is a great build! Is there any way I can view the pics?
Thanks,
Kory

Sorry, I refuse to pay ransom money to photobucket.
Not sure if a link to the album will even work, but here it is: http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65...%20NH%20Malibu
Thank you!

What internet browser do you use? I know for Firefox and Chrome you can install an add-on that automatically creates a workaround and re-enables hotlinking of Photobucket pics, so build threads appear completely restored and viewable. Search Google for "photobucket fix for ____" with _____ being whatever browser you use.

I'm still alive! Not at 100% operating level, but I'm doing better day by day. Been a rough 2018 for me with my health. I've been in the hospital 4 times since early January. One visit was 5 weeks...
I'm back home now for almost 3 weeks and feeling much better. I'm getting my strength back and dealing with some of the side effects. The worst was picking up a fungal infection in my lungs while my immune system was totally down. That'll take months to get rid of and of course, months of meds.

Enough about that! I guess I never posted a link to a walk around video of the mostly completed new chassis. It's here: https://youtu.be/rZuNLUIQsOQ

I did get to one event in last year to see how the new setup worked. Took the car down to Charlotte, NC for Good Guys and also hit up the DSE open house. So about the chassis. Whoa. Mega change in the way it drives! I went from having no rear grip to now having too much. Had to make some big adjustments from the "middle" position that I had it in. By the end of 7 runs, and getting faster each run, it was getting much easier to drive.

There's a few things I want to change, but overall I'm very satisfied with it. Here's a few pics of it together and on the ground.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...pso7gy63g4.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps37hgyslu.jpg

I only have one question Aaron, did you wipe the car down with a coat of WD-40 right before taking those pics...? It's looking pretty shiny!! :D

Thanks for posting the update, glad you are on the mend and getting back to car things once again.

Nope! That's all natural beauty right there. Thanks, it's good to be back or slowly coming back is more appropriate.

So nice to see you post on here again and more about cars and less about bad health! Glad you are feeling better! :thumbsup:

Getting to enjoy some tasty beers yet? :cheers:

Thanks Dave, it's good to be back! Although I'm miles from being back to any normalcy, I am feeling much better.

Actually I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow and I plan on asking about having a beer or two. He so far has said no. From what I've read, it's not an issue (in moderation). So yeah, I'm ready for one...it's been over 4 months.

The suspension stuff is off the hook cool Aaron!

Glad your feeling a bit better. Let me know what the Doctor says about beer and I can send you some. My nieces boyfriend owns a brewery here in Boise and they make some really great beer.

Awesome build! Love the color and understated look... very cool. Glad to hear you are feeling better and have more time to work on it!

I don't want to say I told you so........but I said to stay away from that Chuppa Wuppa from Taco Bell. It will be OK you said......I was right again!!

Welcome back Aaron, here's to feeling better, I don't drink beer but hope you can pour one soon :thumbsup: