Second Wind - a Packard Gasser

[zzrodder]

Originally Posted by bob w

At first I was confused by the picture, then it came into focus.

More exciting fabbing to watch at ZZ's Creative Builds.

You don't have double vision Bob, there are two Packard butts in that pic

[zzrodder]

Since I built the frame, it's been bugging me how the rear kickup
transitions from 4" to 3" and the flat piece is not centered over the diff. I don't know how it ended up like this, but I blame the tape measure..
Before the body gets on it, I decided to re-do that part or it may never happen
Cut it out and fitted new pieces, not a major thing in the grand scheme of things, but it was a burr in my butt that I had to deal with....

[zzrodder]

Put a day in on the Packard to get the body on the frame. Lotsa fun gutting out all the wood and old floor. Put in some tube bracing first so it doesn't get all twisty. It will sit a bit higher in the rear when (if??) the 30" tall M&H rear tires show up, at least now it's not taking up 2 parking spaces. The vision is becoming reality

[Old Iron]

[Burgerman]

The vision rocks ZZ. 😄

[05snopro440]

The vision is going to be really cool! It's already looking real good.

[soltz]

Looking good
????

[zzrodder]

Not much of an update, more of an awakening and prelude to what must change....
The parallel leaf front suspension is causing me grief because the frame horns will protrude 3" beyond the front fenders/grille shell, something I just can't live with I've already been flamed on the Pork by "purists" for putting a 4 link on the rear, so I might as well go all the way and put coilovers and a 4 link or maybe hairpins on the front end too ! It's been done before (see pic) and would also get the spring pack out from under the frame rail to give me more travel without C notching the frame. Of course it means re-mounting the steering box, messing with the engine mount crossmember and adding a Panhard bar, but in researching this setup I finally came to understand what is wrong with the front end on the Hercules pickup The arc of the Panhard bar must follow the arc of the drag link to prevent bumpsteer - something I got ass-backwards....
In the pic of the Willys, it has some pretty unsafe looking hairpin and Panhard bar mounting, and it is using side steering instead of cross steering. I think I can do better - and no chrome....

[Bamamav]

F the pork! I get so aggravated at all the closed minds over there. I do things my way, so what if it doesn’t fit their label! Off the soapbox now…

ZZ, I remember seeing lots of pics of gassers from the 60’s using coilovers on tube axles in the front. IIRC, Ohio George Montgomery built all his cars that way. They were a little different than what you see now as they were taller. See if you can find some pics of his cars to see and get some ideas.

Just because it’s being built to resemble cars of an era doesn’t mean it has to follow a cookie cutter pattern. Lots of different things were tried to get a competitive edge, not all worked out, but some did. I get so aggravated by people who say it has to be a certain way or it ain’t right…I better hush before I get back on that soapbox!

Carry on, I think it’s looking good!

[Old Iron]

I never signed up on their sight because of all the bashing
I done a coilover, 4" drop axle a Vega cross steer, panhard bar and it drove very well.