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'72 K5 - Greg's @MightAsWellK5 Build

This is the build description. I will improve this later. (GB)
Overview Gallery Discussion
All that work and you can't take two minutes to snap a pic and post it. Sheesh.:shame:

If I wasn't so comfortable sitting here doing nothing, I'd give you a piece of my mind you lazy SOB. :rolleyes:
 
Ok, sheesh..... buncha build-thread addicts, I swear. :haha:


Front spreader bar tacked in place over windshield:

DSC01725.jpg


B-pillar spreader is just laying there, not really squared up anymore since I wanted to insert the inner bedside panels to make sure I had clearance to fit them when the cage was completed. (Note: I haven't had time to add the tassels or pinwheels to the rear facing cage bars yet! :wink1:)

DSC01730.jpg


And I re-installed the dash so that you guys could see how the bars landed relative to that. The factory dash pad can simply be shortened on each end to accomodate the bars, and it should look quite good.

DSC01734.jpg




:usaflag:
 
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Looking good Greg. When you're all finished there you can make a trip out here and we'll build my cage. I just checked pricing on 1020 DOM 1.75" x .120" wall and i can get it for $2.72/ft if i buy 100' and it gets a little cheaper $2.66/ft at 200'
 
Yea, very nice dash integration. Kinda wish I'd done it that way now. Are you going to leave some clearance in the dash hole where the tube goes through or is going to get sealed up with anything?
 
I'll probably close that gap up fairly tight and weld a little flange to the inside of the hole to give it a more finished look. The cage is going to attach at the factory dash mounts (sides) and also near the top of the windsheild frame, either integrating to the 3 screw holes for the weatherstrip piece or to the sunvisor bolt area..... so I'm not worried about squeaks or rubbing of the cage near that through-hole area.

The cowl is already substantially stiffer with the addition of the front engine bars, even with just a few small tack-welds.


:usaflag:
 
IDid you put a curve in the windshield spreader bar to match the curve of the windshield frame? I can't tell from the picture...
 
AJs72K5 said:
IDid you put a curve in the windshield spreader bar to match the curve of the windshield frame? I can't tell from the picture...
Click to expand...


It's got a slight (15 degree) bend at each end, but it's straight across the center. It's mounted on the curve of the front a-pillar bars so it's rocked forward slightly, and also slightly upwards. This will help create a nice transition from the factory header so that when I do a softtop the water won't pool-up in that area. It also creates a little more room to re-install the sunvisors and rearview mirror. They should still be able to flip up and out of the way without touching the bar.

Lots of considerations for each bar that gets installed.... :thinking:



:usaflag:
 
2009.08.05 - UPDATE! - I JUST HAD TO DO IT.... [SIGH]

I really hated to do it, but I had to run some diagonal bars down from the upper b-pillar areas to the center of the floor.

DSC01753.jpg


I had originally hoped that I could do something a bit lower on the b-pillar and still get some decent triangulation, but as I studied it more it just became obvious that anything else would be more "cosmetic" than functional.

It's a bummer to lose unrestricted access to the back seat area, but this was the least intrusive method I could build. With the passenger seat flipped forward, it is still possible to climb through to the back by stepping over the center console area.

As I've already stated, each bar I add is a real struggle between safety/functionality and convenience/useability. Fortunately, I think there is very little else about the remaining cage layout that will require concessions like these two new bars did.

An interesting note: With so many bars meeting at a single cage "node", I actually realized that there were some fishmouths that were about to be hidden under the newest bars....unwelded! I had to carefully trace the new bar outlines onto the intersection point, then remove them and finish-weld the stuff that was about to be buried underneath. Then, I could add the new diagonals and tack them into place. It's a little like a chess game...you have to plan your moves ahead of time to avoid getting trapped later on.


:usaflag:
 
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Greg72 said:
I really hated to do it, but I had to run some diagonal bars down from the upper b-pillar areas to the center of the floor.
Click to expand...

Agreed!!! I was hoping you would have came up with some cool way to do it, so I could copy it.

I will be stealing your idea for the A pillar through the dash though. Very Sweet looking.

As usaul :bow:
 
Greg, have you had some seats in there to determine where the back of your head will end up in relation to those bars? They do look about perfect to have a harness attachment behind the seats.
 
Brian,

Yep...here's my seat test:

DSC01762.jpg


The seat is set back as far as it can go before it hits the rear floor area (which is further than the tracks will allow anyway). I think it might be easy to add a small padded headrest to those downbars for wheeling trips. I could also do a horizontal bar just below shoulder height behind each seat for a set of 4-point harnesses....

I tried to anticipate as much as I could.... :thinking:


:usaflag:
 
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Ah, the second picture is a better view of how far back the B-pillar sits. Does this mean you are planning to keep the stock seats?

Edit: Oh yea, it both looks good and would seem to provide good functionality. I may slow mine down and see if I can copy anything.
 
I'll keep the stock seats, I want to get them rebuilt with a Mastercraft suspension under a "factory looking" houndstooth upholstery. I think that would be uber-rad! :saweet:

If I can't do that, I'll use the stock seats for around town driving and have them on a quick-release mount so that I can swap in a set of suspension low-back seats for wheeling.


:usaflag:
 
Greg72 said:
I had originally hoped that I could do something a bit lower on the b-pillar and still get some decent triangulation, but as I studied it more it just became obvious that anything else would be more "cosmetic" than functional

As I've already stated, each bar I add is a real struggle between safety/functionality and convenience/useability. Fortunately, I think there is very little else about the remaining cage layout that will require concessions like these two new bars did.

An interesting note: With so many bars meeting at a single cage "node", I actually realized that there were some fishmouths that were about to be hidden under the newest bars....unwelded! I had to carefully trace the new bar outlines onto the intersection point, then remove them and finish-weld the stuff that was about to be buried underneath. Then, I could add the new diagonals and tack them into place. It's a little like a chess game...you have to plan your moves ahead of time to avoid getting trapped later on.


:usaflag:
Click to expand...

that was my battle... function vs real-world function..



and I went thru the overlap gig too on this "node"


stepwall018.jpg



ended up doing the 2 angle ones first, then bringing the vertical one in on top.. that way I was able to get at everything....

great to see the progress Greg.... keep it up! :bow:
 
Well, I just thought I'd gloat a little and let you all know that I've got the entire weekend off to spend in the manspace. I'm expecting lots of progress.....you can all expect lots of new photos. :waytogo:

Time to go warm up the tube bender!! :saweet:



:usaflag:
 
right there with ya pal!

caffeine injected and Into the Void loaded in the CD player, it's all good in my dungeon......
 
i came to the same conclusion when I was building my cage Greg.

1004cage_5.jpg


Access to the rear is not ideal with those bars there, but it is still doable.

Looking forward to pic's of your progress this weekend!! :bow:

rene
 
Come on Greg, it's 10:45pm at your place and i'm sure the work has been finished for the day so where's the pics man? :D
 
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