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It rolls. A little too low, but then the shocks are a couple of inches too short. Will fix that here in a bit. Currently on the Tecna protos with travel limiting chips instead of springs. We are going to have a custom set of Tecnas made for it.
It was a pain to get off the lift due to the extreme ride height. The center braces are going to have to be replaced.
After being in the sun for a few minutes, it got rained on.
This crossmember is stupid low. It will have to go.
We removed a bunch of Arizona desert from the cab before bringing it back in.
Getting close to fitting the cab (ignore the piece of wood.)
This engine bay is smaller than I remember. I hope I don't have to remove the balance shafts and dry sump the EcoBoost in order to get it to fit in there.
I should get the cab on this week, the bed on next week, and then I am going to give it to a friend to do the roll cage and chassis work. I am not pro enough (and don't have the right tools) for that job. I will strip the 'Stang while he has it.
I was thinking about putting the A/C from a Miata in it. That would pretty much eliminate the cowl vent.
After getting the Mustang, I thought it would be cool to incorporate as much of the OEM Ford electronics as I can. It would probably be too hard to get the Miata A/C to work with the Ford touchscreen controls, so I may try to use the Ford climate controls. Which would also kill the vent.
Not sure what the firewall is going to be like. I have the 95 Miata floor sitting out back to swap in, but I think I am going to try and use the Ford steering. I also see a way to use the Ford EPS in it. I think it will mean cutting out part of the subframe to push the engine forward. Still lots of questions to be answered now that the first steps have been completed.
Guess it will depend on how much room there is. I'd like to see 17x10 with 255/40 in back but skeptical there will be enough room. For sure 15x11 with 275/35 Nankangs will have enough bump travel. That would look hawt with 15x10 and 245's up front.
Probably going with the 17's for gearing and MPH/RPM reasons. 19's would be even better, but good luck with 4x100 19" wheel choices.
Parted out the Mustang a couple of weekends ago. Kicked it out of the shop and hopefully have it sold.
This week is about getting the engine sitting in the truck. Not really in, but at least close enough for the time being.
I set it in there and then made some cuts to the subframe and crossmember.
Placed it again, made a couple of more cuts, and figured it is close enough.
It needs to move about an inch to the driver's side, but it is hard up against the steering rack mount. I will address this later since I am planning on using the Ford EPS anyways.
Tomorrow I will drop the cab back on. I think there may be quite a bit of cutting going on.
It fits! (extra cats to you if you know the anime I am thinking about when saying this line) I was worried that the high pressure fuel pump was not going to clear the cowl (it is the highest non-negotiable point on the engine.) But it clears with more than an inch to spare.
I see lots of problems in my future. But I will worry about those tomorrow. Next up: motor / transmission mounts, diff / driveshaft, and fitting the EPS.
It has been a while. Many printed revisions of the motor mounts to get it to this point. Ditched the idea of using the Ford EPS. There was not enough room between the frame and the engine to fit it in. Going with the manual Miata rack and will consider doing an EPS conversion kit in the cab (if there is room.)
I like to start my CAD with manila folder material. It is easy to cut and manipulate to get the contours correct. A
is helpful to get the profiles close to start. I then transfer the designs to balsa wood. I like balsa over cardboard since it is easy to cut and you can sand it down for a more precise fit. You can get it McMaster Carr.
Next I will scan the parts to get them into Solidworks before sending them off to be made out of steel. I will also epoxy the parts together to help get it all just right in my model. The driver's side is a pain. It will probably take 3 supports to get it strong enough while avoiding the steering stuff.
So I took some time off of this, ostensibly to save up some money such that I could pay a guy to do the things I am not so good at. Like all the welding that needs to be done. Stuck the truck on the 4 post lift and then proceeded to store a bunch of stuff under the truck. Saved up a lot of money, and then gave it to the government. Decided I was going to have to do a lot of the welding myself. Borrowed a welder, practiced a small bit, ran out of gas. Bought a new big tank of gas, practiced a small bit, discovered I bought the wrong gas. Got the small tank refilled, practiced a small bit, ran out of wire. Finally got everything lined up and got enough practice to feel reasonably confident in my work. Then I made the motor mounts. My welds look like ***. I may have to go back, grind them out, and redo them. Once I get some more practice. You tube videos make it look easy.
Here are some pictures of the motor mounts. I also cut out the inner fenders so that I can redo them to tie in the shock towers. I also made some room up front for the Ford radiator.
Next week I will start on the inner fenders. I will be paying a friend to build the cage. That requires more skills than I will ever have.
Love seeing the progress here. That front end design looks pretty awesome with the notched frame for the lower A arm. And that drivetrain fits like a glove.
04-04-2023, 05:13 PM
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