I like your seat.
CK5
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The Willomet Charger
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
A desecration to Mopar nuts everywhere, this is my protouring, LS-powered, 1970 Dodge Charger; built at my shop, Willomet Motor & Fabrication.
By any chance do you watch Cameron Johnson race cars on YouTube? I really enjoy watching how they package those items in such a tight spot.
Looked them up, and added to the list. I’m not a good YouTube watcher, but channels that build legit race stuff are exactly what I need to be watching. Thank you for the recommendation.
David
They do a lot of no prep drag cars that are very thought out for working on in the pits and the fabrication is really nice.
I like the Woodward steering column drop, but it's sized for tiny NASCAR columns. My Flaming River motorsports column is 2". Bummer.
So, two days ago, I started learning how to draw in Fusion. I'm going to test print this in PLA later this week. It just stuns me that we can do that kind of rapid prototyping these days, and it's "no big deal."
View attachment Recording 2025-07-13 120549.MP4
I've drawn in some older and much less sophisticated programs, and Fusion was super easy to pickup. Their sheetmetal module is really intuitive, and cut my design time by a factor of 5. Bend Tech is just for bending tubes now.
David
So, two days ago, I started learning how to draw in Fusion. I'm going to test print this in PLA later this week. It just stuns me that we can do that kind of rapid prototyping these days, and it's "no big deal."
View attachment Recording 2025-07-13 120549.MP4
I've drawn in some older and much less sophisticated programs, and Fusion was super easy to pickup. Their sheetmetal module is really intuitive, and cut my design time by a factor of 5. Bend Tech is just for bending tubes now.
David
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I was looking at the Fusion software last night. I am considering diving into the 3D printing world. I am glad to see that you like it. Gives me a better feeling than reading random stuff of of the internet.
A friend of mine loves solidworks, and I think that's what Adam uses, too, but it's kind of expensive for someone just doing the occasional drawing. Fusion's non-commercial "I'm just a hobbyist" package is probably the best value for folks like us, and it seems to be the super common in the 3D printing world. Plus, there's about a million YT videos covering specific how-tos, and HPA has a 101 course for how to get started.
David
I am hoping it is not a big ramp up in learning. I know 2d CAD really well. I did 3d CAD in the 90's for massive dirt work/grading projects. Hopefully, some of that knowledge will help.
It's a lot better than it used to be, much more intuitive than 3D CAD in the 90s. Solid modeling is so much more advance yet more intuitive. You create the model like you would think, by cutting, extruding, revolving, turning, etc. Then create the drawing (if needed), from the solid model. If you go back and update the model, the drawing updates automatically.
Then you can create assemblies from parts, run tests, FEAs, motion, etc.
I've used a lot of them, Cadkey, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor(makes Fusion), ProE (now Creo), Solidworks, SolidEdge, etc.
They all have their pros and cons.
I wrote LISP routines for DCA, Autodesk now, in the 90's for the civil engineering side of things. Wrote their first civil maual, because they did not have one when I started Beta testing it. Long, long, long time ago.
I wish I was smart enough to figure all that type of stuff out. I'm sure I'd have a great time with it.
But, I have trouble with the wife's Cricut machine
Stick me in a factory with a machine that spans 2 buildings and 3 floors, and say it don't work... I'll fix it.
Put me in front of a laptop and say pull up a word file.... I'm gonna stare at it for an hr and probably Google some chit lol.
But, I have trouble with the wife's Cricut machine
Stick me in a factory with a machine that spans 2 buildings and 3 floors, and say it don't work... I'll fix it.
Put me in front of a laptop and say pull up a word file.... I'm gonna stare at it for an hr and probably Google some chit lol.
Artwork from Alan at Apoc. This will be a legit screen printed shirt when the time comes.
Not the top priority, but keeping these irons in the fire is a good practice.
He’s working on suburban art next.
David
Not the top priority, but keeping these irons in the fire is a good practice.
He’s working on suburban art next.
David
Just two days later, there’s a test print. Gobsmacked.
David
David
Steering is a tight fit. With enough welding wire and zip ties, I got it all mocked up well enough.
PLA test print column mount
A tight radius header tube should clear the steering shaft by 3/4”. I’ll order the sch5 test piece.
Test seat is too tall, but you can see this is pretty close to the right position for my 6’3” frame. Also, that’s a test steering wheel.
That’s 20* on the column and the shifter is right by my knee where I wanted it. I’ve started to template an initial version of the firewall, including the mounting for brake and clutch cylinders.
David
PLA test print column mount
A tight radius header tube should clear the steering shaft by 3/4”. I’ll order the sch5 test piece.
Test seat is too tall, but you can see this is pretty close to the right position for my 6’3” frame. Also, that’s a test steering wheel.
That’s 20* on the column and the shifter is right by my knee where I wanted it. I’ve started to template an initial version of the firewall, including the mounting for brake and clutch cylinders.
David
Looks like it's pretty close. Most of the driving school's recommend being able to lay your wrist on top of the wheel for distance - and seems like you're right there.
Got some offset to get up over that frame. But actually looks like your headers may have some room in there.
You gonna be able to get the pedals roughly where your feet are?
Got some offset to get up over that frame. But actually looks like your headers may have some room in there.
You gonna be able to get the pedals roughly where your feet are?
I'll do the wrist check today.
This handy reference is still online, but I remember reading this article when I still subscribed.
Sitting Pretty: What’s the Perfect Driving Position?
Everybody has their own way to sit in a car—but which one’s right? Let’s belt in and explore what should be a simple subject: the perfect driving position.
It's likely that the mid-chassis will need a bit of carving to get the seat positioned correctly. On the other hand, the headers and exhaust should have enough room. If anything, I've prioritized room for the mechanical stuff ahead of the loose nut behind the wheel.
Yes. Pedals should land very close to that spot. Lots of adjustment in the Tilton hanger sets. After I make the test firewall, I'll measure to see if I can use a firewall mounted hanger, or if packaging requires an overhung version.
Tilton Engineering 72-807 Tilton 800-Series Firewall-Mount Pedal Assemblies | Summit Racing
Free Shipping - Tilton 800-Series Firewall-Mount Pedal Assemblies with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Pedal Assemblies at Summit Racing.
Ready to roll the driver side. Just need to pre-shrink along the pattern.
Column mount with a 4” recess.
Also, I redesigned the steering rack mount so the rack points up toward the column.
View attachment IMG_0254.mov
David
Column mount with a 4” recess.
Also, I redesigned the steering rack mount so the rack points up toward the column.
View attachment IMG_0254.mov
David
Pre-shrink.
Rolled.
Windowed.
Next, mawwiage.
David
Rolled.
Windowed.
Next, mawwiage.
David
Dude, that's nicer than factory stamped sheet.
