Aurora 4.0l / Izuzu 5 speed swap into 88 coupe (Page 78/102)
cptsnoopy JUL 10, 11:56 PM
Rodney was willing to make me zero-lash swaybar endlinks any length I needed but as it turned out he happened to have just the right length already made up. I received them Saturday but just now got the time and a willingness to work in the garage when it is 114 outside... The great news is that extending the links from 5" to 6 and 3/16" was enough to take care of both interference issues I was having at full extension of the front suspension. Now, just as I reach full steering rack limit, the steering arm of the knuckle just touches the swaybar endlink and since this only happens at max travel I don't think it will ever create any issues while driving. The longer endlinks also raised the swaybar high enough above the tierod that there is no longer any chance of interference there either. So, it took a couple of tries to get it right but at this point it looks like the 1.5" HT drop spindles will be quite the success. (crossing fingers...) While I had the springs out checking clearances, I fully compressed each side with the wheels mounted and the top of the tire to the top of the wheel well was approximately 1". Keeping in mind that I accidentally ordered tires that ended up being about 1/2" less diameter than stock this all appears to have worked out very well. The back is slightly higher than the front now so a little adjusting of the coil-over setup will be necessary to level it all out... I ended up having to find another forward roof panel as the original one ended up cracking at the usual spot near the top of the driver's side A-pillar. I was very fortunate in that I sourced another roof panel and was only charged $12.93 for it. (they priced it the same as a headliner at the pick-n-pull yard... sweet!) It had a surface crack at the top of the A-pillar on each side but the cracks were not structural like it was on my original roof. I used SMC Panel Adhesive an some cut up fiberglass to repair 4 different spots and this "new" roof panel is ready for epoxy and feather fill primer.

The pics below are of the endlinks and the clearance issues that are fixed...

The original 5" endlinks vs the 6 and 3/16" endlinks


No interference between the swaybar and tierod anymore... (including the dust boot)


Installed 6 and 3/16" zero-lash swaybar endlink (by Rodney Dickman)


Knuckle steering arm just touches the endlink at full travel and full extension... (as the suspension raises, the clearance quickly gets bigger)


Another shot of the knuckle steering arm vs the swaybar endlink


Charlie
cptsnoopy JUL 26, 02:13 PM
quickie update:

The painter told me that he wants to wait until October to paint the body parts because of the hot temps... He is hoping to get a better paint job by painting when it is 90 degrees or less.. I cant blame him and since he is doing it for cost, I won't complain... Lol.

charlie
RCR OCT 14, 06:54 PM
Charlie...It's October...What's up?

Bob
cptsnoopy OCT 18, 09:35 AM

quote
Originally posted by RCR:

Charlie...It's October...What's up?

Bob

Would you believe it got pushed back to November? All parts are sanded and primed but will need a final touch up before paint. If it gets pushed back any further I may have to get out my wallet....

Charlie
Bloozberry OCT 18, 01:57 PM
Forget your wallet Charlie, you have to be worried about snow tires by the time November rolls around. Hey, I was there in March when Sedona got 6" of the white stuff, so it's possible! I can set you up with a good pair of Blizzaks to get you home if you need.
cptsnoopy OCT 19, 12:58 PM

quote
Originally posted by Bloozberry:

Forget your wallet Charlie, you have to be worried about snow tires by the time November rolls around. Hey, I was there in March when Sedona got 6" of the white stuff, so it's possible! I can set you up with a good pair of Blizzaks to get you home if you need.

lol, ok Dave, I'll call you if it comes to that.

Charlie
cptsnoopy NOV 27, 12:19 PM
latest update. I should know on Thursday if we can at least get the rear clip and the roof painted next week. That way I can get started on putting some clothes back on the car.

Charlie

[This message has been edited by cptsnoopy (edited 11-27-2012).]

cptsnoopy DEC 05, 10:51 PM
I was at the paint shop sanding feverishly on the rear clip and roof sections today. They should be painted by tomorrow afternoon. I was going to get the rear deck lid done too but I found that it was not completely prepped yet. I'll be trying to get it ready but i'm doubtful I can get it done in time. Unfortunately we won't get it all painted this week but at least I can get the roof on and a windshield installed in the meantime.

Charlie
RCR DEC 06, 06:46 AM


Bob
cptsnoopy DEC 08, 01:20 AM
I agree Bob! I am excited to see this thing creeping closer to getting done...

The first two pictures are of the painted rear fastback clip and the roof section sitting on the car. The third is of the hood that I found still needed just a little more filler...

Charlie