American Motors Xperimental full frame by Ron S

By diyauto
( 6 )

2 minute(s) of a 140 minute read

11-30-2011

Heres one don't don't see too often, a Dana 60 center section in an oven, cooked for about 45 minutes so the tubes would push in. The tubes had about .003" press, alittle tougher then I was hoping to get in, they are pushed in so tight I really don't seem like they will need to be welded LOL,looks alot like a 3/4 ton pick up rear.

Dana 60 rear end


Dana 60 rear end


12-1-2011

Its kind of helpful that a buddy runs a driveshaft shop. I gave him the tubes and snouts once I cut them to length, machined the snout to a .003" press, pushed them into the tubes, then dial indicatored them for straightness, and fixture welded and cooled them on the driveshaft machine. The welds a gorgeous. Getting the tubes in the housing required a hot housing, a cold tube, and a 1" grade 8,fine threaded rod, about 2' long, and 2 big press plates. The rod does one tube at a time, pulling between the snout and the flat spot on the inside of the housing, from the inside of the tube. Sweated my butt off ratcheting them in.


12-2-2011

Set the rear up on the frame, and put a wheel on, I have to admit I'm loving it. Will get the center crossmember and torque arm crossmember built tommorow.Hoping to get the body on Sunday

Car frame

Car frame

Car frame



Comments

Very cool!

Posted by bl_steel on 1/26/21 @ 1:24:52 PM

This is amazing !

Posted by Diggymart on 3/10/20 @ 7:09:18 PM