Cut and Narrow Beam

[conductorx]

Link pin beam getting ready to disassemble.



Tie Rods removed. Shock removed and trailing arms pulled out.



Green Arrows: spring packs Red Arrow: bump stop mount



Grub Screw removed and hose clamp marks cut line. This beam will be narrowed 2" so the mark is one inch past the width of the adjuster.



Spring packs are stored in the removed center clamps:




Beam is cut using the hose clamp as a guide for the saw to keep the cut square.



Link pin beam adjuster.

[conductorx]

Using a grinder with a cutoff wheel the beam clamp welds are cut.



Clamps removed



Steering damper mount removed.



These square bosses locate the steering box, they have to be removed.



All beam parts have been cleaned, sand blasted and primed ready for welding.



To present a smooth and pretty beam check for older work that needs to be cleaned up like this old weld:

[conductorx]

Looks much better:



More cosmetic work is to grind the welds on the beam (red arrows):



The beam end is mounted in the vise and checked to insure it is vertical. You can also see the cleaned up welds:



The adjuster is held with a magnet and checked for vertical:



Once the adjusters are tacked in place the beam is placed on a frame head and the beam clamps are bolted on. This insures they are in the correct position for welding.



The pipe clamp makes sure that every thing is tight.



Tack welding continues



A different angle

[conductorx]

Welding and grinding continues



One inch is trimmed from the end of each spring pack using a grinder and cutoff wheel



A cone grinder is used to make new dimples for the grub screws.



Spring steel is very hard and the grinder is the best tool. Drill bits just bounce off.



The beam is welded and painted

[IS]

wow that is one hell of a good job.
DAM

[conductorx]

Thanks, IS. "G"

[FRK]

Damn gary!

That looks great. You make it look so simple Mr. "All Trades"!

I wish I had half of you talen. How much did you cut off? How narrow is it?


Thanks for sharing those pictures with us.

[conductorx]

It was narrowed only 2". The owner wanted to keep his shock towers. I did a 3" narrowed beam and built new flat shock towers for that one.

"G"

[conductorx]

Please be sure and measure carefully, I am reciting measurements from my fuzzy memory. The owner of this car wanted as narrow as possible and still use shocks.This is on a different beam than my previous photos.

This job was also done before I got my plasma cutter. This beam was narrowed 3". The shock towers were moved out to the end of the beam and replaced with 1/4" steel plate to fit under the car without bashing the inner fenders to make it fit.

Removed old towers by cutting welds:


Using the old shock tower as a pattern 1/4" steel plate used to make an new tower using two pieces. The lower plate:



Upper part of tower in place.


The new shock tower is moved all the way to the end of the beam and welded.


A boss and washer was welded on the top to provide support for the shock bolt:

[yanser68]

Dude, G, my respect for you just multiplied by10!! That is one good post!! Truly one of the best I've read!! Thanks for taking the time to share the pics!! Really good work!! When I grow up I want to be just like you!!

[conductorx]

Awww hullly gee, it weren't nothing. Thanks for the good words. "G"

[FRK]

I wish we had gary closer so he can be the man. We need a narrow beam take it to gary "Done", Engine stand/roller "Done", etc.

We can still do that but is a hassel because of the shipping back and for. One of this days I will try and do some thing like that. maybe narrowed a beam, build / rebuild a motor or powder coat. I'll let you know Gary so you can inspect my work! ;D

[yanser68]

Hey Ill be your assistant Frank that way I can take that ride and learn to!! Sounds like the beginning of...ClassDay!!! lol

[FRK]

I will let you know Sergio!

[paton]

check this video it's from my friend GuAnAtOs he did his on mexica style

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtpePTGnapI