American Motors Xperimental full frame by Ron S

2 minute(s) of a 140 minute read

Heres one don't don't see too often, a Dana 60 center section in an oven, cooked for about 45 minutes so the tubes would push in. The tubes had about .003" press, alittle tougher then I was hoping to get in, they are pushed in so tight I really don't seem like they will need to be welded LOL,looks alot like a 3/4 ton pick up rear.

12-1-2011

Its kind of helpful that a buddy runs a driveshaft shop. I gave him the tubes and snouts once I cut them to length, machined the snout to a .003" press, pushed them into the tubes, then dial indicatored them for straightness, and fixture welded and cooled them on the driveshaft machine. The welds a gorgeous. Getting the tubes in the housing required a hot housing, a cold tube, and a 1" grade 8,fine threaded rod, about 2' long, and 2 big press plates. The rod does one tube at a time, pulling between the snout and the flat spot on the inside of the housing, from the inside of the tube. Sweated my butt off ratcheting them in.

12-2-2011

Set the rear up on the frame, and put a wheel on, I have to admit I'm loving it. Will get the center crossmember and torque arm crossmember built tommorow.Hoping to get the body on Sunday