E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Body Shop => Topic started by: Cbridgewater on November 16, 2019, 11:24:34 AM

Title: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 16, 2019, 11:24:34 AM
Need your opinion. Should I rebuild and paint the front suspension and K member before or after body paint? No matter what, they car will be without and engine when it's painted.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: JS29 on November 16, 2019, 12:13:40 PM
That would depend, dose the body shop want it as a roller, or place some kind of rigging to move it around. are you going to do a to pretty to drive, or a driver. you could do it after paint, place the engine on the K-frame and install from under side.   :alan2cents:
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 16, 2019, 12:30:39 PM
Haven't talked to the body shop yet, but was thinking it would be nice to take car of the front clip while the rest of the car is in the shop. It will definitely be a driver.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: JS29 on November 16, 2019, 12:37:35 PM
Unless they have something to install to keep it maneuverable, I wouldn't wont it in my shop without being able to move it   :alan2cents:
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Katfish on November 16, 2019, 01:16:36 PM
Do it after, most likely they will get overspray all over it.
As stated, would be nice to put engine on fresh k-member and install like the factory did.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: anlauto on November 16, 2019, 02:25:06 PM
 :iagree: sound advice
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Chryco Psycho on November 16, 2019, 04:28:22 PM
I would build a pair of rollers to bolt to the frame & have it painted without the K frame or froni suspension in place  :thinking:
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 16, 2019, 06:36:43 PM
That's the direction I was leaning. I know there are some companies that make the rollers, but they're quite pricey.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: 1 Wild R/T on November 16, 2019, 10:32:23 PM
Wheels from Harbor Freight & a little bit of scrap steel makes bolt on dollies pretty cheap...

I think these cost me $36..... 
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Ed on November 17, 2019, 04:04:23 AM
At about 11 mins in you can see what graveyard car builds to hold suspension and engine.   I built mine cheap with 4 by 4 tubing.  You can then build from K frame up  then install after paint.  When you get the tubing you can  make  4 casters for car to move around on.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFGpJHvFxWk
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 19, 2019, 08:58:33 AM
Where do you guys build your rollers to mount to? In order to make the K frame install easy I would think on the front you need to use the bumper bracket mounting holes? What's about the rear?
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Burdar on November 19, 2019, 09:05:47 AM
Bumper mount for the front and front leaf spring mount for the rear.

(https://i.postimg.cc/8zBnQ144/DSCN2322_zpsb42cf7ff.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 19, 2019, 12:03:25 PM
Bare with me... so when re-installing the rear axle/suspension, what are you using as your jack point?
I do not have access to a car lift so it would all be done with jack work.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: anlauto on November 19, 2019, 12:12:21 PM
I built a cart that bolts on at the rear spring perch and the transmission cross member. Super solid for traveling. It stays on this cart from the time I strip it apart, media blast and all the body and paint work. I just took this AAR off of the car today to install the rear suspension. No fancy hoists here either. I use the cart as a jacking point then some axle stands while installing the rear end.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Burdar on November 19, 2019, 12:17:50 PM
QuoteBare with me... so when re-installing the rear axle/suspension, what are you using as your jack point?
I do not have access to a car lift so it would all be done with jack work.

When installing the rear end, the back of the car is supported on jack stands under the frame...in front of the leaf spring mount.  Bolt on your springs/rear end and use the rear end housing to jack up the car and remove the stands.

I installed a cross bar between the left and right stands.  This adds stability to the stands and gives me a jacking point.  You could jack up each side separately to position the jack stands though.  The cross bar just makes it quicker.
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Chryco Psycho on November 19, 2019, 04:20:18 PM
With t he rear suspension in place you can use tall stands at the front of the leaf springs & actually lift the car using your legs & the diff as counterweight , I have done numerous this way , lift the nose prop it up while rolling the engine & K frame under & lower it back down , super easy !!
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 19, 2019, 04:55:19 PM
Awesome! Thanks guys!
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Cbridgewater on November 20, 2019, 07:11:02 AM
Anyone have plans drawn out or measurements to go off of?
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: anlauto on November 20, 2019, 11:47:01 AM
No fancy engine carts or hoists here....just a simple old engine hoist....lift it up....slide the engine under and drop her down....bolt it up....takes about 20mins...
Title: Re: K member and suspension
Post by: Katfish on November 20, 2019, 01:35:28 PM
Where do you lift?