Full frame and straight axle

[Animal]

  I forget, what engine did you put in?
[/quote]

I put a new Chevy 4.3L V6 in it. However, now with all the extra weight, I am going to put a mild 350 V8 in. I made the frame to fit the V8 and put in a four core radiator with doul 16" electric fans.

[Animal]

It's an understatement to say "well done." It's awesome!

I'm curious...did you use a jig to hold the frame rails straight while you welded it up?  Are there any cross members other than those for suspension links and the transmission rear mount? And finally, are the sheet metal inner fenders also intended to strengthen/stiffen the front structure?

Good questions.

I did make some jigs to weld the frame rails. I also took extra time to make sure my welds did not pull the angles out of alignment.

I did not put the sheet metal in to add stiffness, just keep the rocks, mud, sticks and...? out of my radiator and engine. The 1 1/2" by .188 wall tubing makes it plenty strong. I did use 16awg sheet metal and fully welded it to the tubing.

I do have one cross member between the engine and radiator. I used a section of 3" channel iron. other than that, I used 3"X2" 1/4" wall tubing for the frame. I also used 1/2" plate to fabricate the steering box mount.

[Mavericke]

NICE!

[83Eagle!]

Wow how did I miss the latest update.  Very nice work.  I also didn't realize how much modification you did to the fron clip and I love the way you modified the fenders and wheel wells.  Looks very clean.

[Animal]

Giving an update on my project. I just scored a Chevy small block V8 and am going to put it in this week. I know that it would be better with an AMC V8, but I could not pass on the price.

[Mechanic]

Very nice. 350? 327? 305? or is that a 383 stroker??

Once this enigne is in, is she all done?? or do you still have some stuff left to do??

[Animal]

Very nice. 350? 327? 305? or is that a 383 stroker??

Once this enigne is in, is she all done?? or do you still have some stuff left to do??

It is a 305. Nothing wrong with the old 5.0L V8. It is just a complete stock rebuild and not a performance package. I wanted a good reliable engine that would give me a little more power over the stock 6 cylinder now that I am running 33" tires. I also installed a two speed transfer case so that I can have low range.

Once the engine is in, I will have to fabricate wheel wells for the rear, run the brake lines and fuel line, and install the seats. I will also have to have a dive line custom made. Then, I will run the exhaust and it will be all done.   

[Gil-SX4]

 

[monsterbronc]

Totally sweet, Im trying to figure out if I can install the solid axles without going to extremes,  right now mine sits right about where most cherokee's do, so I think its possible to do without the radical lift.

although, I would do it in a heartbeat if not for the fact its my Daily Driver, and the Munchkins are already having trouble climbing in and out. 


Taint nothing wrong with the Ole 305. had one in the 79 Camaro we once had, while I admit it wasn't worth bragging about, it did have ENOUGH power to lug that heavy beast around even at highway speeds, and was about as maintenance free as they come, we drove that thing at least 100K, and all I ever did was change the oil, put a set of belts on it, and rebuilt the carb. the turbo350 tranny was a whole other story, but the engine ran and ran and ran till it finally burned sooo much oil, it looked like something out of a James Bond movie when pulling hills. but it still ran 

[doneagle]

              HI this is what I have ben looking for ...For all the cars with rusted out frames so its coming back out
                   front ..so I don't have to look for it all the time ....There is so much information this thread.I wish that
                   Animal was still around to answer some questions we would have. So here it is..................Don

[Sunny]

That thing looks wicked.
Nice job

If I ever get an eagle, it's probably going to have a SBC in it, even if it's against the grain

[Animal]

              HI this is what I have ben looking for ...For all the cars with rusted out frames so its coming back out
                   front ..so I don't have to look for it all the time ....There is so much information this thread.I wish that
                   Animal was still around to answer some questions we would have. So here it is..................Don

I still around. I check in from time to time to see what people are up to. I also have been making progress on my project. I would probably been done by now but I moved again. This time I moved from Texas to Tulsa Oklahoma.

My Eagle is very close to being road worthy. I overworked my little welder and purchased a brand new Hobart Ironman 230 wire feed welder this weekend. It should make quick work of the little bit of fabricating that is left. The V8 is in place now and I will post current pictures soon.

Thanks for looking,
Brandon

[doneagle]

          HI           I'm  glad  to hear you are still around there are some pepole that have things they want to know
                        like who made the frame rails and outhers.......Don

[standup650]

wow so so nice! the pic of your old setup looks like it was pretty big. what was your old setup?

[eaglefreek]

Unfortunately, it looks like the last time he was on here was 10 months ago.