Super low IRS wagon build

[Work280]

I've got the bolts I would suggest just getting new lock washers and nuts do to the nuts being rounded off by some one in the past give me a day and I will have them to send to you pm me so u can get them going your way

[jrock4224]

this is bad ass....

[uieluck]

First off, I wish I had enough nards and/or skill to pull off some of the shizza your doing!, Truly badass! However, I could see that gas cap location becoming a 'bigish' problem. I'm not sure how bad the interior of the goon is going be smelling like petrol, but I'm guessing + more than —, just my lame opinion. Awesome execution though. This goon should be STANDARD height. :•)

[LaidoutRivi63]

Work, I will get you a pm as soon as I can get in front of a computer. I'm out and about today. Thank you so much.

 

Jrock, I appreciate the kind words.

 

Uieluck, don't worry, I have a new gasket for the cap and it seals well. The tank will vent through the port in the filler neck with a hose with a filter on it. Should be all good :)

[LaidoutRivi63]

ok, so here is progress as of today. A little less than anticipated but today we found out that my dad has prostate cancer, so it kind of killed the drive to finish things up today...

 

But, here is the sedan E-brake retrofitted to the wagon. I flipped the crossmember e-brake brace thingies, and flattened the hole where the driver's side cable comes out.

 

 

 

Had my rear brake lines made

 

 

Then I tackled my front strut shortening

 

rabbit inserts

 

 

used my tubing cutter to score some true lines at 2.5" apart to cut the section out. I measured 2 and 5/8 of an inch, but I wanted to leave about a 1/16" gap for a good clean weld.

 

 

Made a down and dirty "strut tube shortening" tool

 

 

I put a solid bead on the two opposing exposed sides, then allowed it to cool before removing the fixture. This prevented it from moving before final welding.

 

 

 

 

Did each tube in about 4 continuous beads. The welds ended up nearly flush with the interior of the tube, barely protruding in a couple spots. They required no grinding inside.

 

Done like nothing even happened.

 

 

 

 

 

All done. I just have too see if the springs will require any cutting. I'm going to compress the springs and install the struts and see if the preload is acceptable. If not, Ill take off half a coil and flatten the top inactive coil and go from there. I'm sure they could use a little extra stiffness. Anyone recognize the blue springs? They appear to be stock replacements based on the ride height before I pulled it apart. I replaced the discs, stripped and regreased the wheel bearings, and got myself some new front flex lines as well. I also started making some RCA's, but I didn't finish because of the unfortunate news today. I don't deal with these sorts of stresses well, I usually just work more to keep my mind off of things. Hope you all enjoy the progress. Hoping to have her running and driving this weekend.

 

[collision and customs]

beautifull welds and great fab skills. F.Y.I. I have retracts in my dime. You may want to relocate the upper belt mount a few inches lower. Mine rubed me in the neck and did'nt feel right. I stoped driving it before I had a chance to resolve the problem.

[LaidoutRivi63]

My issue is the seats. I don't like that style high back, but they were in the car, so until i find something else, i'll live with it. we will see, its not a big deal to move that pivot point. I am pretty tall at 6' 2" so maybe I won't have the same issue

[Work280]

Got the bolts out and waiting. Nice fab work so very clean. Once I get so more parts I can start on fab I can't wait

[LaidoutRivi63]

I found some bolts locally yesterday. Meant to post something. Hope it didn't inconvenience you. I really appreciate the gesture

[Work280]

No big it was needing to come apart anyways it just gave me a push to go get it done. 9 projects eat up a lot of time

[LaidoutRivi63]

Trust me, I know, 6 "active" personal projects and 2 customer rides in these 6 months

[datsunwizard]

Just got thru reading thru most excellent build. Love your ingenuity, the corvette spring is differently thinking outside the box. I am doing a similar thinking outside the box wagon, but you are much further along. If you want to check it out, here's a link;

 

http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8375

 

I am at the point of the spring thing and just received my small body coil overs. You are right not a lot of room under the cargo area without protruding into the cargo area. Although I am not going for the lowest wagon per se, I want the thing to handle better or as good as that of the sedan.

[LaidoutRivi63]

I saw your build when it was two pages old, very cool. I'll be doing something similar with my 70 hilux pickup when my time frees up. Gonna hand build 100% of the chassis and suspension. I already started in the solidworks drawings.

 

I'm pretty confident my wagon should handle pretty well considering its height.

[datsunwizard]

I would like to see your drawings. Just love when people think outside the box.

[jrock4224]

• ID LIKE TO SEE MORE PICS AND LESS TALK OF NUTS AND SHIT ....lol   seriously I love seeing pics of your goon ....

[Josh K.]

What offset wheels? Those springs are pretty big?

 

Josh-

[LaidoutRivi63]

I think they are +6 offset? I don't remember. The spring was 49 inches long along its arch if I remember correctly. I took about 1.75" off of each end and redrilled the spring in order for it to fit

[LaidoutRivi63]

This particular spring is an nyr code c4 spring. C4 generations were the shortest of the composite springs. The nyr is 229lbs/in which is within 10lbs of my desired rate. I explored Volvo and other composite sprung cars, an this was the most accommodating option (and most available). $100 on eBay got me a used, excellent condition spring

[LaidoutRivi63]

Finally an update!

 

 

I fabbed my own RCA's

 

 

Cut and plated the frame rails for max bump clearance

 

 

and for the first time in 9 months, it rolls away from my lift on its own wheels!

 

 

 

 

 

 

it becomes apparent how tiny these cars are when you put them next to something else! 

 

 

So whats left?

 

Some extra bracing in the passenger compartment

shocks

finish plumbing the brake and gas lines

and exhaust! and its ready to drive!!

 

Gonna take it out to JCCS even though I missed the registration for the show

[jrock4224]

I love it .... BUT how would u feel if I said ..it needs to b a 1/2 to 3/4 inch lower out front.... before u get carried away maybe look at a lower profile tire for the front ....fucking car is dope .... and I will admit you pushed me over the edge to scrap my 4 link and go irs goon ....thank u .... I cant wait to herehow the leaf works might be a back up should I decide the air bags are not the ticket for me....(proly wont I love all my other bagged vehicles.....)...love the riv... my  dad and brother both had one... I preferred the 65 of my brothers, all  thought not the nicer car, it had hidden headlights and better tail lights......I'm not a big fan of 64...I will se eif I have a pic of the fathers one ....nice silver and low as fuct,  well not bagged low but static low

[LaidoutRivi63]

we'll see whats up with the ride height, It is actually about .5" higher than intended, but I can adjust all that. I took the inactive coil out of the stock springs and bent the left over coil into the new inactive coil to get 2" out of the springs, and then adjusted the perch. Spring rate seems pretty good, but a test drive will tell. Glad I inspired you, ahaha! Bags would prolly be a ton easier. They were always a backup plan for me in the event things got too intense. I have had the Riviera since I was 16. I'm 24 now and really need to finish the bastard! It has a wishbone link setup in the rear that I did. I have some a arms built on solidworks that I am going to have laser cut for me to fab up when I can get around to it, to replace the stock arms. They will allow a lot more alignment adjustment then my modified stock arms.

 

Its gonna get a full 60's lowrider paint job. I am building a new dash for it and still need to finish the body mods on it. Lots already has been done to the car, all the work done by myself.

 

 

 

[jrock4224]

nice,  I have a 60 impala since I was 18 and now 38 need to finish .... your a little farther along then I am ... I stopped at the 6k on big billet hoops I was hoping for about 6 years ago ...shit maybe more .....its bagged too ...... if I can make serious proigress this winter I hope to drive it by mid summer ... haaa fat chance

[jrock4224]

oh and stop fucking with coils..lol.... get zx struts, chop for rabbit inserts and techno coil over set up ...... ftw

[LaidoutRivi63]

They are zx struts I chopped for rabbit inserts, there is a whole post about it. It's a budget build.

I have 4 grand in the whole wagon so far.

[jrock4224]

shit I don't even have that in my wagon.......the 200 for coil overs would be worth it ....the zx swap best aspect is the brakes ....the offset is number two ...sorry been awhile since u updated and I read through this thread ... forgot u got zxs already .....still looks great ......