or... "A Fun way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday"
Lately my Mom has been bugging my Dad to get rid of some of the "Skeleton" cars sitting around their place (a '92 caddy we pulled a 4.9 from, and total 70's Opel GT, and a couple of Fiero parts cars). The only thing holding the last car back was me... it was a silver '85 coupe that was hit pretty hard in the front. We've had the car for about 8 years - and most anything useful has been yanked from it already - I just wanted the back end for my trailer project.
So the weekend of the 6th, Kevin (KEV) came out to my parent's place with me to enjoy the process (is there anyone who hasn't been frustrated with their Fiero and wouldn't find cutting one in half to be rather theraputic). Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but realized after a bit that I could use my Dad's and just get the pics from him later (so last night I copied them to a CD and brought them in to post this morning). We also came up a little short on sawsall blades (we only had 3 to start with) and ended up torching the last bits apart. So without further delay, here's the pictoral:
That's KEV off to the left, and my Dad weilding the sawsall. Note that the roof has already been cut (a fresh blade goes right through it like butter). Also note that the roof skin was already damaged... as was the headliner and nearly all related sunroof parts... remember that this thing has been sitting outside for the past 8 years!
A couple more shots of the roof cuts
Me cutting through the driver's side floor & frame member
We had to work a jack on the rear impact beam a bit to keep the blade from binding up. This was especially notable when getting closer to the end.
more coming...
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 02-09-2004).]
We originally had planned on cutting up & around the tunnel as to avoid cutting or torching into the fuel tank. Well, after getting hung up and breaking our last blade on a frame crossmember... I did a little feeling around only to find that there wasn't a tank in the car anyway! So we just used the torch and cut straight across the tunnel...
Did someone say something about these things catching fire?
I guess fire is more likely when using the torch ;)
Finally separated!
It's quite amazing how light the back half of the car is when there's nothing in it!
And just to satisfy those who may cry foul that I'm destroying a good/rebuildable car, beyond the front end damage - the trunk is rusted through in a number of places and one of the upper frame rails is showing signs of further rust. But nothing that will negatively affect a trailer! No harm no foul (at least until I throw a fastback clip on it and continue cutting - BwaHaHaHa...).
I'm kind of surprised this topic didn't get more of a response! I expected at least a few more people to be amused at the act of cutting a Fiero in half
Mark- I highly doubt that it'll be ready for paint by then... but I can always hope
Matthew- Yeah, there are a few more good parts on the car I might nab... although I don't remember how much of the front was actually bent. I'll have to take a look if he doesn't have it hauled off before I get back out there!
And just to add the topic further... here's a bit of my Photoshop work. It's not perfect, but it should about get the idea across!
what would add the final touch to that is if you taper from the center of the wheel to the front of the trailer just enough that a GT nose would fit nice.. then you could have the trailer's tow arm come out through the air opening in the front. you could even have the turn signals and parking lights in the nose wired in with the ones in the back to finish off the look.. . .. ... . justa thought.. should be a neat project.
------------------ 3.4 DOHC Turbo swap in progress
what would add the final touch to that is if you taper from the center of the wheel to the front of the trailer just enough that a GT nose would fit nice.. then you could have the trailer's tow arm come out through the air opening in the front. you could even have the turn signals and parking lights in the nose wired in with the ones in the back to finish off the look.. . .. ... . justa thought.. should be a neat project.
And Songman has something along those lines planned as well:
In an attempt to keep my costs and time involvement down, as well as to maximize the usable space, I'm going to try and keep it relatively simple - maybe the next one will be a little more far out!
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07:24 PM
jelly2m8 Member
Posts: 6304 From: Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2001
Hey Rob, that photoshop pic looks really cool! Just think of all the spare alternators you can haul around with that!
ROFLMAO!!!
quote
Originally posted by JeffMN:
Have you considered making it into a bbq? Open up the trunk and have a nice big grill waiting to go...
-Jeff
Oddly enough... Yes! that has very much crossed my mind. Aside from the obviously funny implications (Fire=Fiero), I've often thought that would be a really cool novelty to have at a car show. I still may try to incorperate a removable one into the original "trunk" space!
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07:29 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I'm kind of surprised this topic didn't get more of a response! I expected at least a few more people to be amused at the act of cutting a Fiero in half
Rob, I like it a lot
There is something special about seeing a trailer that used to be a Fiero. Some people will always cry foul that the donor car could be repaired...but that applies to nearly every Fiero in the junk yard and I don't see them out there crying that those cars shouldn't be crushed.
Bottom line is I expect to have a Fiero trailer one of these days!
I'll make sure we have enough paint for it after the car is done. With a little nudging, you'll probably get it finished. If I can change a body on a Suburban, you can do a little welding!
Mark
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09:12 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
You need to have it done by Wheatstock. I vote for the BBQ and if you're going to have a fridge, it might as well have a beer tapper in it, no??
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT:
Oddly enough... Yes! that has very much crossed my mind. Aside from the obviously funny implications (Fire=Fiero), I've often thought that would be a really cool novelty to have at a car show. I still may try to incorperate a removable one into the original "trunk" space!
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09:42 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
My trailer won't have a grill but it will have a built-in cooler... My trailer is designed with two separate compartments. There will be two separate lids for the comparments. The front one will have a styrofoam liner like a cooler and a drain plug. Great for shows! And can still be used as a regular compartment when a cooler is not needed.
Looks great, Rob! There are quite a few Fiero trailers out there but very few that really have that finished look.
The trailer above is exactly what I have planned for mine (It's a non-title-able car guys so it's only good for parts). All I have to do is find time.... yea, right.
I'll make sure we have enough paint for it after the car is done. With a little nudging, you'll probably get it finished. If I can change a body on a Suburban, you can do a little welding!
I think it's definitely a good idea to make sure we have enough paint to go around. As for the timing - I'll see what I can do!
quote
Originally posted by jstricker:
You need to have it done by Wheatstock. I vote for the BBQ and if you're going to have a fridge, it might as well have a beer tapper in it, no??
Actually, "ACE" Engineering in Colorado made something like this back in the early 90's (even had designed a behind the plate reciever hitch) - and they had a beer tapper that was accessed through the gas door!
I think my 1st priority will be to just get it rolling and shaped... then I'll see about a BBQ
quote
Originally posted by Oslo:
hmmmm..... so THAT'S how I need to remove the T-Tops from my car...
Yup... that's pretty much what I meant when I sent you that last PM
quote
Originally posted by mrfixit58:
I wonder what the ari filter can is used for?
LOL - I believe that it's probably a for sale/trade item... as it appears to be in a cardboard box! But it did make me think twice the 1st time I saw it!
What are you guys doing for axles? I have access to a notch back but it doesn’t have a cradle. I think a simple frame and trailer axle would work but haven’t really looked at it. It would be for short runs on smooth roads so I would probably just use some cheap air shocks. Keep up the good work. Jake
What are you guys doing for axles? I have access to a notch back but it doesn’t have a cradle. I think a simple frame and trailer axle would work but haven’t really looked at it. It would be for short runs on smooth roads so I would probably just use some cheap air shocks. Keep up the good work. Jake
I've had two thoughts... first thought is to just use the original Fiero suspension and subframe - just bolt it in The 2nd would be to get a simple solid axel and go with a more trailer-like system. Still contemplating that question!
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12:31 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
If you used the old front or rear suspension, you have to find a method to lock the spindles to keep them from trying to steer the trailer. I was thinking about using a piece of square tubing and weld a flang on the end that would accept a Fiero rear wheel bearing/hub assembly. That way I could my old lace wheels.
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01:42 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
I like those especially the ones that incorporate both the front and rear. I think I would want to leave the strut towers to give it some suspension, you will also need to use part of the CV joint with them to keep the bearings from falling apart.
I like those especially the ones that incorporate both the front and rear. I think I would want to leave the strut towers to give it some suspension, you will also need to use part of the CV joint with them to keep the bearings from falling apart.
I'd like to hear more about what you mean about the bearing falling apart.. Is there something I don't know here.. My trailer will not use any part of the Fiero structure. It is totally boxed steel with Fiero panels attached. The Fiero hubs will be mounted to flanges on each side. Are you saying that doing it this way will be too rough and make the bearings fall apart?
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08:16 PM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
You will also need to use part of the CV joint with them to keep the bearings from falling apart.
Hey, don't talk about bearings falling apart with Rob in the room. He might get scared. [In case you don't know, Rob had a right rear wheel bearing fall apart while trying to race a HonDuh]
Eric
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10:06 PM
wiccantoy Member
Posts: 3372 From: northwales , pa / Williamstown nj Registered: Mar 2002
i dont know about solid beam for the trailer . but we tryed useing the fiero suspention and it wont work . its not at all stable enough to use safely . my trailer has been safety tested and inspected a total of 13 times and im only about 60 % done. but i am doing all this so when its done i have the option of makeing them to sell, safely. the thing we have found that works well is torsion strut suspention.
I have a dumb question...why can't you just use the Fiero suspension??
My question was being answered before I asked it, but I assume it has to do with the fact that the fiero rear suspension was designed to have considerably more weight in the back. It seems to be that if you put considerably softer springs and shocks it would be okay.
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 12-18-2003).]
Here's what I've observed with the rear bearings. A few years ago I helped strip a pre-88 GT at Ed Parks swap meet. The owner was going to make a trailer out of it. I pulled the axles, engine, everything. We put the wheels back on the flanges and went to roll the car out of the shop. It didn't get 20 feet before the rear bearings disintegrated. Apparently the big nut holds the inner and outer bearing shells together with the CV axle stub. Based upon that experience, I would say that you should use the outer stub only. Or, if you're fabrication a whole new suspension, just go get one of the cheap single trailer axles and use that, they're around a hundred bucks. A live axle will pull better anyway since it won't get any bumpsteer effects wanting to throw the trailer back and forth on road imperfections.
If you keep the struts, you'll need to change the springs out to a coil spring that fits around the shaft itself, a spring that is a much lower rate than the stock springs. Otherwise the trailer will sit topped out on the struts and will bounce all over the place.
JazzMan
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10:50 PM
Dec 19th, 2003
Racingman24 Member
Posts: 2304 From: Land of 10,000 Idiots Registered: Apr 2003
Hey Rob, who is that other guy that is just standing there in most of those pics with his hands in his pockets??? He doesn't seem to be proving himself usefull.
[Sorry, I needed a thread to test my new sig, without all the extra crap.]
Eric
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12:16 AM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
... It didn't get 20 feet before the rear bearings disintegrated. Apparently the big nut holds the inner and outer bearing shells together with the CV axle stub. Based upon that experience, I would say that you should use the outer stub only. ...
You could use the outer alxe stub/nut and weld it to the flange or a big honkin' bolt with a nut. But, unless you have all this stuff laying around, the live axle from a Grand Am seems like a good choice. You would still need to install some trailer springs and shackles.
Roy
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09:35 AM
LS1swap Member
Posts: 1181 From: McHenry,IL.USA Registered: Jan 2001
I'd like to hear more about what you mean about the bearing falling apart.. Is there something I don't know here.. My trailer will not use any part of the Fiero structure. It is totally boxed steel with Fiero panels attached. The Fiero hubs will be mounted to flanges on each side. Are you saying that doing it this way will be too rough and make the bearings fall apart?
Yes the axle shaft holds the two parts of the rear hub together. you could probly use a carridge bolt and washers if you didn't have the outer part of the axle ( CV joint). i would just cut up the CV joint just in back of where it buts up against the inner part of the hub. i wish i had pictures i could make it much more clear
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10:28 AM
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
Wow... lots of good info here. I hadn't given much thought to the bearing assemblies and the fact that the axel nut pretty much holds everything together! I'll definitely be looking into additional options on this.
Keep the info coming if anyone else has anything to add!
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10:40 AM
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
I didn't know the axle held the hub assembly together either! I pulled the ones off of my old parts car. I guess they were just held together by years of junk and compression... Goo info! Thanks!
so THAT'S how I need to remove the T-Tops from my car...
