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Mazda Projects \ Project: B3000 Rat rod FRONT END FINALLY FRIGGIN DONEProject: B3000 Rat rod FRONT END FINALLY FRIGGIN DONE
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replies 58
following 19
jmzcustomz (jeff)
+1y
Kool arse build! Looks like your camera played a little switch a roo with the images as I know you don't have a RHD truck. LOL Please keep this going and keep us posted I think this is something I have not seen built on here yet.
b3kbruiser
+1y
I didn't change the steering wheel this mac for whatever reason just flips the pictures like a mirror.. Stupid macs.
Soooooo.... Look what followed me home today!
For $150 I picked up a '77 302 complete with everything less starter/flywheel, water pump, and alternator. It's in fantastic shape. Hopefully within 2 or 3 months I'll be able to afford the 347 stroker rebuild kit and turn this thing into a monster! THANKS SCOTT!!!!! :biggthump
Soooooo.... Look what followed me home today!
For $150 I picked up a '77 302 complete with everything less starter/flywheel, water pump, and alternator. It's in fantastic shape. Hopefully within 2 or 3 months I'll be able to afford the 347 stroker rebuild kit and turn this thing into a monster! THANKS SCOTT!!!!! :biggthump
b3kbruiser
+1y
Oh dear oh dear, what have I done?!
In order to put the 302 where I want it, and the radiator where I want it, the front suspension crossmember has to go, and that means the IFS has to go. I've got the front suspension totally taken totally taken off, and in a minute I'm going to start chopping off the crossmember.
My friends are awesome. People keep coming over, seeing the rod, and seeing how close my dream is to reality, and just giving me parts. I told my roomie about the IFS dilemma, and he told me that he had a solid front axle sitting in his dad's back yard from a '57 Chevy coupe, that had been sitting there for about a year and if I could lift it I could have it... So I went and grabbed it, and it's damn near perfect. The wheels still spin free, the steering is light, and most of all, the measurements are almost dead on. Plus, it's slightly U shaped, so it will be very, very easy for me to have lower it and have longer springs than I would with the stocks IFS, giving it a better ride. Then, my buddy came over and saw the 302, noticed it still had the stock 2 bbl carb, and he is giving me an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 4bbl 800cfm carb for FREE. 800cfm is probably a little much for a stock ish 30, but sometime next month or the month after I'm going to bite the bullet and get a stroker kit and build it into a 347 stroker, and 800CFM will be perfect.
TADA!!! If that's not rat rod I don't know what is.
One thing I don't like is that the new axle is Chevy 6 lug, which means I'm going to have to buy new wheels for the front. However, at first glance it looks like I MIGHT be able to modify the axle to accept the Mazda hub, so I can keep the Ford 5 lug pattern and disc brakes. I've noticed you guys seem to be all about suspension and lowering, so I think you guys will love this. As far as I know this is the first time anyone has ever attempted anything like this on a Mazda, and all the fabrication will be 100% custom... and I'm only using parts I pulled off the original suspension, so in true rat rod form the total cost of the lowered SAS will be $0.00. Basically I'm going to cut off and modify the upper spring retainers, weld them to the bottom of the frame rails, and then drill or use the pre-existing holes in the axle for the bottom retainer assembly, which thankfully bolts on. Then I will cut out the stock radius arms and make them into wishbones and bolt them on, and then I'll have to do some heavy duty custom fabbing and modifications to connect the tie rods onto the chevy hubs. Should be amusing!
In order to put the 302 where I want it, and the radiator where I want it, the front suspension crossmember has to go, and that means the IFS has to go. I've got the front suspension totally taken totally taken off, and in a minute I'm going to start chopping off the crossmember.
My friends are awesome. People keep coming over, seeing the rod, and seeing how close my dream is to reality, and just giving me parts. I told my roomie about the IFS dilemma, and he told me that he had a solid front axle sitting in his dad's back yard from a '57 Chevy coupe, that had been sitting there for about a year and if I could lift it I could have it... So I went and grabbed it, and it's damn near perfect. The wheels still spin free, the steering is light, and most of all, the measurements are almost dead on. Plus, it's slightly U shaped, so it will be very, very easy for me to have lower it and have longer springs than I would with the stocks IFS, giving it a better ride. Then, my buddy came over and saw the 302, noticed it still had the stock 2 bbl carb, and he is giving me an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 4bbl 800cfm carb for FREE. 800cfm is probably a little much for a stock ish 30, but sometime next month or the month after I'm going to bite the bullet and get a stroker kit and build it into a 347 stroker, and 800CFM will be perfect.
TADA!!! If that's not rat rod I don't know what is.
One thing I don't like is that the new axle is Chevy 6 lug, which means I'm going to have to buy new wheels for the front. However, at first glance it looks like I MIGHT be able to modify the axle to accept the Mazda hub, so I can keep the Ford 5 lug pattern and disc brakes. I've noticed you guys seem to be all about suspension and lowering, so I think you guys will love this. As far as I know this is the first time anyone has ever attempted anything like this on a Mazda, and all the fabrication will be 100% custom... and I'm only using parts I pulled off the original suspension, so in true rat rod form the total cost of the lowered SAS will be $0.00. Basically I'm going to cut off and modify the upper spring retainers, weld them to the bottom of the frame rails, and then drill or use the pre-existing holes in the axle for the bottom retainer assembly, which thankfully bolts on. Then I will cut out the stock radius arms and make them into wishbones and bolt them on, and then I'll have to do some heavy duty custom fabbing and modifications to connect the tie rods onto the chevy hubs. Should be amusing!
suicide
+1y
this build is sick nasty. iam keeping my eyes on this thread. fo sho. keep us posted and keep the pics coming.
oh yea
Welcome the scene man.
oh yea
Welcome the scene man.
b3kbruiser
+1y
Here, while I pause for dinner and a smoke, let's have a quick live update.
Front Axle is out back getting a quick coat of anti-rust rattlecan
Remember where that big, stupid v6 engine crossmember was? SHAZAM!
I took off the steering box and tie rods to give myself some more space. As soon as the paint dries on the axle it's time to start working on the suspension!
Front Axle is out back getting a quick coat of anti-rust rattlecan
Remember where that big, stupid v6 engine crossmember was? SHAZAM!
I took off the steering box and tie rods to give myself some more space. As soon as the paint dries on the axle it's time to start working on the suspension!
carolinasled
+1y
Neat Project....
You wouldn't happen to have a passenger side taillight for sale would you? I need one for my 2000 B3000.
You wouldn't happen to have a passenger side taillight for sale would you? I need one for my 2000 B3000.