modifying the rearend with a '89 Caprice axle

 

rippin' outr the original torque tube rearend

 

checking general fit of the Caprice axle and the ladder bars I ordered at Pop Brown's in the UK

 

fabbin' up a 'rig' to ensure everything is square

 

angle finder helps in welding on the spring hangers

 

making a chassis crossmember to hang the ladder bars

 

chassis crossmember bolted onto original frame x-member

 

top arrow points at panhard bar bracket

lower arrow shows how longer shackles will drop the rearend (note reversed eyes on original transverse spring)

 

and those shackles definitely do have to be longer

 

or we'll cut that crossmember and straighten it - let's do it

 

put the rear on stands and swing that angle grinder BUTCHERS-style

 

emptying the crossmember of Oklahoma dirt

 

mark the cut lines using an angle iron - the idea is to bend the two sides down

 

if you measured correctly and cut precisely, the two side pieces bend down level and square

 

welded and ground flush the change should be undetectable

 

tacked back in - note latches on top of the crossmember stumps to support center piece

 

about four inches lower than before - don't know if that's enough though

 

but a good reason to celebrate

 

lots more cool details as we go