ECORS Class A race rig build

[broncosbybart]

Ok, time for another update. Got some rock rails fabbed up. They are 2x4x3/16. Must weigh 30 lbs/ft... It is some heavy stuff. Had to do some major cutting of the lower extremities to get these to fit right. My plan is to use the front cab mounts on the frame and french these into them. The body will be directly bolted to the steel in the front.

[broncosbybart]

Next was a big decision. I am up against a few things. First is my trailer. The enclosed only has a 70" high door opening in the rear- a major hassle. This was one factor. Another is that in the 'normal' seating position with a set of Corbeaus, I feel like I am 8 miles in the air. SO.....

Out comes the cutting wheel, plasma, and sawzall again...

Being that I am kinda small, there looks to be enough room to remove some of the floor to get the seats lower in the body. Here we go!!

[broncosbybart]

There isn't much left of the floor now. I wish it was removed as easy as it is to take pictures. Here- gone. Wow! It went pretty well, all things considered. Here is a pic of my "mock up" to get an idea of what it would be like now. The end result should be well worth it. The seating position feels much better to me. At least I tell myself that after I did all the work. Still gotta figure out how to patch it all back eventually. This actually gets me 5" lower in the vehicle, saving 5" of overall height and reducing the center of gravity, if only by a smudge.





Oh, and I don't want to hear any crap about any of the vehicles in the background

[Crawdad]

There isn't much left of the floor now. I wish it was removed as easy as it is to take pictures. Here- gone. Wow! It went pretty well, all things considered. Here is a pic of my "mock up" to get an idea of what it would be like now. The end result should be well worth it. The seating position feels much better to me. At least I tell myself that after I did all the work. Still gotta figure out how to patch it all back eventually. This actually gets me 5" lower in the vehicle, saving 5" of overall height and reducing the center of gravity, if only by a smudge.

Oh, and I don't want to hear any crap about any of the vehicles in the background

I'd love to do that to my bronco. There is so much dead space under the driver's seat. I'd like to utilize that space just like the passenger side. Keep up the great work!

[blazinchuck]

i like the idea of lowering the seats...i was looking into that also...but that ole 205...said NEGATIVE! lol


good job, looks great...love the sliders

[broncosbybart]

Thanks once again for the compliments.

Still going at it. Got some more pics for your enjoyment

I sat down with the old calculator and computer for a bit and figured out the main cage. Bend Tech is an easy to use program, but the way mine works (EZ 3D) for trying to figure out real life measurements needs a lot of work, IMHO. After a lot of deciphering their user manual, head scratching, pre-calculus, and measuring/re-measuring, I finally came up with something that should work.



Broke out the old bender and went to town. Pretty much took an entire day to bend 2 hoops...



I wanted to get the front hoop a little lower than the rear to make it look a little meaner. I also wanted the hoops as wide as possible, so I cut holes in the rockers and quarters to fit the main hoops through. Here they are sitting in place.

[broncosbybart]

The main hoop in the front is tied into the rock rails. The rear hoop is bent inward and tied into the frame. I will make some smaller bars to connect to the rock rails as well to add some strength to everything. Haven't done that yet.



We added a plate to the top of the frame rail to add some beef and also for some more bars that aren't on it yet.

We then made the shoulder bar, dash bar, rear bars, and some overhead bars. Got plenty more to do. It is starting to look good, if you ask me... The main bars are all 1.75 .120 wall DOM. I have some .120 HREW that is a little less expensive that will be used for the engine hoop and some other misc bars.

[broncosbybart]

A few more:





I also started working on the top side of the engine to sort out all the connections for the wiring harness. I am removing the EGR, heater hose lines, and AC compressor. Here is what that looks like so far.



That is about all for tonight. Night all!

[bucketobolts]

Is that an Explorer engine? Those kinda look like P heads and GT40 lower.

[snipes243]

it is an explore motor

The pictures dont do it justice this thing looks so mean looking inperson.