1024 Build Pics

[danc30]

I didn't care for the bolt thing the the trunk latch catches on so I came up with a better one. I also didn't care for the wire for the license light running in those plastic things so I drilled a hole near the hinge, added a grommet and ran the wire inside the trunk between the two panels.

Where did you get the new trunk latch and what were it's dimensions?  I can't find one anywhere that will work.

[66rdster]

Hey Dan,
The trunk catch bracket is a u-bolt that holds the axle to the leaf spring on a small utility trailer. I got it at a local farm supply store. I had to weld a piece of 1/4" steel plate to the back of the frame to accomidate it. One leg of it, the one seen in the pic, goes through the frame in nearly the same place as the original bolt and the other goes through the piece of steel plate that I welded onto the back of the frame. I don't have the dimensions, I think these are a standard/universal size for small trailers, but I can get them if you'd like. I hope that helps. If you need more info, just let me know.

Mike

[Paul Proefrock]

Mike,
I like your mod with the U-Bolt. These are readily available from W.W. Grainger for a couple bucks. I welded a bracket on the back of my frame to accept the other leg. I did some rough measurements to figure out how long the bracket could be. I figured out 2 1/2" would give me about 1/2" clearance to the body.

But then I got concerned about if the body would move aft enough to clear it. May we impose on you for a dimension? The rear cross tube is 2" square. How much is it from the back edge of that tube to the approx. center of the rear leg of the U-bolt.  With that info, I can estimate the edge of the bracket and cut off any excess.

I've kept pictures of my bracket and will post it shortly.

Paul

[66rdster]

Hi Paul,
I'd be glad to get that dimension for you. I'll post it this evening when I get home from work.

Just for reference, the bracket I welded to the 2x2 doesn't go beyond the rear edge of the fiberglass trunk liner so there is no problem clearing the body, etc.


Mike

[Paul Proefrock]

Mike,
The last time I was at Hurricane, I noted the trunk-liner on current production cars did not follow the contour of the inner rear body - you needed to add some aluminum to get a good seal. My body is on the buck so I can't tell how well it fits. I do know the liner is going to take some work so I don't trust what I have. I could make the bracket the same as the liner but don't know if that would be enough to accomodate the u-bolt's second leg.

Hoping to learn from someone else's experiences. I assume you are using a std. 3/8-16 x 2" ID square u-bolt.

Getting ready to paint my frame and hoping to have all mod's done before painting, not after   :-/

Thanks, in advance

Paul

[66rdster]

Hi Paul,
The measurement from the rear 2" tube to the center of the rear leg of the u-bolt is approx. 1-3/4" . The u-bolt I used was 2" ID (between the legs) and has 7/16 threads. The 3/8 should be fine, I see no problem there. One thing I should note is that the latch on the trunk engages the u-bolt very close to the rear leg of the u-bolt, about 3/8" inward from the inside of the rear leg. So you will need to mount the u-bolt as far rearward as possible. On mine the leg of the u-bolt that goes into the 2" square tube is about as far toward the rear of the tube as possible and still be able to start a nut on the threads. I determined exacly where to mount it with the trunk pan installed and the body in place.

I hope that helps. If you need additional info let me know.
Mike

[Paul Proefrock]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. With a quick layout, I see it gets real tight. Using a 3/8" U-Bolt, for wrench clearance inside the tube, the center of the hole can't be any closer than 1/2" from the outside edge. Any closer and you won't be able to get a socket on the nut.

Using that as a given, the rear leg centerline then lays out 1 13/16" behind the square tube. Pretty close to what you measured. It will be slightly different since you used a 7/16" bolt.

Comparing that to the bracket I calculated, the bracket needs to stick out behind the tube 2 1/4" Any more than that and you won't be able to get the front leg of the U-Bolt into the frame. I made my bracket 2 1/2".

From what you've seen on your car, should I cut the extra 1/4" off or is there adequate clearance to the body. My concern is when I put the finished body down over the rear frame, it hangs up on the bracket. The alternative is to cut the entire bracket off and make it a bolt-on piece.

??

[66rdster]

Hi Paul,
I wasn't able to get a socket on the nut thats on the front leg of the u-bolt thats inside the 2" square tube. Its that close to the side of the tube. I was able to get an open end wrench up in there and hold it enough to tighten the topside nut.

As for the 1/4". I'm not sure, I'll look at it this evening. My bracket goes all the way to the edge of the fiberglass trunk liner. I'll get a measurement tonight and see how far it sticks out from the square tube. I had the body on and off several times with the bracket installed and had no problems with the body hanging on it or it being in the way. I'll post that measurement this evening and let you know what I see.

Mike

BTW - the bracket you made looks great, you did a nice job on it.

[66rdster]

Hi Paul,
I got a little more info. The end of my bracket is 2-3/8" from the 2x2 tube. I have about 5/8" from the end of the bracket to the inside of the body. I told you wrong earlier, is does stick out beyond the edge of the fiberglass trunk pan by about 1/4 - 3/8". For some reason I thought it was flush to the edge of the trunk pan. Hope that helps.

Mike

[Paul Proefrock]

Thanks for your help and input, Mike.

I guess my search now widens for a square u-bolt that is 2 1/2" ID instead of the normal 2".

I am close to farm country and will check out the local farm supply stores. McMaster and Grainger do not have one, that I can find.

What does one do for entertainment when you're car's done? Have the build work is finding solutions to the days problem.

Thanks. If you're ever around Saint Louis, I owe you a cold one

Paul

[HAVASUBILL]

Hey Your build is looking "Super"  ....

Your correct the body does not fit perfectly tight aganist the rear of the trunk liner.  I fit my trunk liner where I thought it should be, but when I installed the body there was a small "gap" between the rear of the liner and the rear of the body.  I guess I will make a alum. fill- in  for  that problem.
As for the trunk latch from Hurricane (very bad), I just made a new one from a piece of alum. angle ..shaped it and polished it, came out great.  It was easy to position and drill the frame for installation when I installed the trunk.  

Keep on build-in...it's so much fun!
Best Regards, Bill  

[66rdster]

Your welcome Paul,
I haven't seen one in 2-1/2",  but if you can't find one it should be easy enough to make one.

Thanks Bill,
I'd love to see a pic of your trunk latch. It sounds nice and would be another option for the other builders.

I noticed Alfredo used an eye bolt for his latch. It looks nice, and I think it too, would be easy enough to mount.

Here's a pic from Alfredo's finished kit pictures. I hope you don't mind Alfredo.

Mike

P.S. Maybe Mike or Rich could move this exchange to the owners forum as its a bit off topic for the build pics section and would probably help more owners over there.

[Paul Proefrock]

Mike,
Think I solved the problem. McMaster-Carr has a 3/8-16 Square U-Bolt (#3060T45) that has legs long enough to go all the way thru the 2" tube so it is nutted on each side. On the bracket, you won't need as much thread so it can just be cut off. Makes a U-bolt with unequal legs.

Solves the wrench clearance problems. Now the U-Bolt can be moved closer to the edge of the tube and get more clearance to the trunk latch.

Thanks for your help

Paul

ps: Mike, Rich & Ron: if you want to add this as an improvement to the kit, the u-bolt is also available from Fastenal as part No. 0156431. The bracket is easily made from a scrap piece of 2" tubing.

[66rdster]

Great find Paul. The u-bolt I used wasn't long enough to go all the way through the 2x2. The longer legs on the one you found should make installation a whole lot easier and overall should work much better.  [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif]



Mike

[cobraspit]

hey mike eric here, just saying that trunk carpet is nice because the stuff that came with it is well
i would not let my dog sleep on it it's bad i mean real bad to matty kinda of nappy headed but mike told me a awhile ago for around $450 there's an upgrade.

your build is tuff im tring to put as much time in as possible and reading, shopping, and keeping clean and orginzed take alot of our time robert has been helpful but ive been the body man and his machine
swirl clockworks came out really cool so we keep pressn'.
anyways have a Great day. BYAO (build your arss off).

the spit in your eye the the wind in your hair a bug in your tooth it will be a find day for a ride.
eric\ems