Air ride on sad pimped 92 Astro!!

[andyfanshawe]

man that looks nice.who needs foot room. lol are you gonna just mount the seat back further?
Danny

Hi Danny.
No, I don't think so. I have an idea about that. Watch this space.....................

In the meantime, have a look at this photo



The yellow line is a rough level along the side skirts. Notice how low the bottom of the front spoiler is.
What about lowering it down a bit to match the skirt line? Then extending the wings down to meet it and making a custom filler panel to go inbetween the bottom of the grille and the top of the bumper.
Hmm.............

Andy.

[nitropyro]

that would be pretty sweet. i say do it. with the bumper laying flat would be sick.
Danny

[k120189]

or you could add more of a lip to the bumper seems like that would be easier to do

[andyfanshawe]

This has been a loooooong problem solver. 15 hours to be exact!!

Here is the inner heater box bolted in with the heater matrix (is that what you call it?) visible.



The matrix needs moving up about 2cm and the case modifying a bit!!

Out it comes for the 30th time and here is the view of it in it's original position.



A few cuts later and it is relocated higher up at the top of the box with an aluminium adaptor plate made up to secure the matrix.





Top cover replaced and cut to clear the new wheelarch



Metal closing plate made and cut to fit



Painted and sealed.


You can see in this picture how far the heater matrix pipes have moved up and the bottom plate that seals it.



More to come as I move onto the outside box and the old holes in the firewall.

Andy.

[nitropyro]

man bice work and problem solving. hey saw you wanted some pics heres the whole thread on my build up so far viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2587
Danny

[andyfanshawe]

Thanks Danny.
Is it all finished now?
Fantastic pics and work. Must be nice to have a TIG welder. Mine is all spot, MIG or gassed.

I'll be going a similar way with the rear. I'll match you with the photos!!!

Andy.

[nitropyro]

bad ass man the pics there are current i post every weekend here also just like you well hurry up im heading out right now to finish welding the bags in.
Danny

[andyfanshawe]

Nice one.
What are you using for air supply and management? Air line size? I've got an air ride 86 camaro that uses a single compressor and smallish tank controlled by the auto pilot digital management system. Only using 1/4" lines though. I'm seriously thinking of using a nitrogen cylinder for the main source and the compressor and tank as back up. 3/8" lines this time.

Andy.

[andyfanshawe]

Okay, the passenger side has been a bit more of a challenge!
The AC/fan box in the engine bay is tight to say the least. Even after chopping the box the maximum amount it still jutted into the under wing area. So I am going to have to make do with a bulge :wtf1: Luckily it is further inboard than it was before and no rubbing will take place. I thought about moving the AC matrix over a bit, but there is absolutely no space. And it is vital they work as designed.

Here is a photo of the underbonnet part of the heater/AC cut and plated.


And here is the slightly redesigned firewall (I welded back in some steel after cutting it out!)


You can just see the inner arches starting to go in.
Here are some outside photos of the construction of the complicated double curved wheel arch where the passenger feet (foot?) will be. Recycled old wheelarch modified!





This plate took 2 hours to make and paint due to it's complexity. Those shrinking hammers actually work!





Andy.

[nitropyro]

BEA-UTIFUL!
Danny

[SoCalli V8]

Great technical pics Andy, we are all following along......

[andyfanshawe]

Thanks Danny and Darren.

Praise indeed from you 2 superstars.

More progress to report.

Managed to seal off the rear section of the inner wheel arch.


It looks as if the foot space is not as bad as I first thought.


Had a bit of an incident when a rag caught fire and melted my fuse holder and bit of carpet Yeah I know..........stupid


Here is the outer heater box in place showing how close it is


And a shot of the last card template for the front of the inner wheel arch in place


I also managed to get these standard lights off ebay for a tenner that i think will suit the van better. I'll bung some LED's in 'em.



Andy.

[astrozam]

Very nice work Andy your pics and description of the work ( and the time it takes to post them ) are appreciated,its def a big bonus for the site

[andyfanshawe]

Thanks Astrozam. Wish I was over there in the US with you guys rather than stuck here in rainy UK!

Next exciting installment then:

Wooden formers made up





to make this panel (the one with the hole in it!). The AC/heater box will stick through but will be protected by a bulge. i really need to keep the original system.



Tack welded in



The blue tape is there to get a nice edge on the seam sealer.

Finish welding the rest tomorrow and I can get it all painted.

Andy.

[nitropyro]

niiiiice!!!! hey man i got that picture of how i welded the link over on my pictures and also shes on her own suspension now.
Danny