I have recently started my 1951 Fleetline build and decided to do a build journal, my plan is a nice drivable car with air ride, and a 250 inline 6 backed with a T5. As much as I hate it this is a budget build so I do have to build as many parts as I can to account for my lack of funds (wish I could support Gambino and the other alliance vendors more). First things first I want to get this car as low as possible, so it defiantly will be getting notched in the back and I just finished my mustang II based front end. Which brings us to my starting point; I built my crossmember and top hats using information I have gathered from the HAMB. I ordered a set of control arms and some airlift d2500 bags from ebay, rotors and bearings from Speedway, and found and old pinto to rob some mock up spindles and the manual rack off of. I will be purchasing 2 drop spindles as soon as I can. I installed the crossmember over the weekend and have ran into a couple issues. I based my bag location off of the mounting hole on the lower control arm, which turned out to be too far out. When the bag is collapsed it is hitting the sway bar mount, and at full lift the upper ball joint is uncomfortably close to the bag. Anyways, this is an easy fix with a little t******* and drilling a couple new holes. The next issue is the location of my wheel; I marked the spindle center before removing the old front end and located the new front end on the same center line. Now that the car is so low it looks like the wheel may need to come back a little bit. Not sure if I am going to live with it or move everything back. fficeffice" /><O></O> That is as far as I have gotten so far, so let me know what you think. Kent Waddell
Beautiful, Kent. Can only watch and learn, not gonna be much help. But I'm digging where you're going.
while not a fan of bags, this is going to be one sweet vehicle when you are done. Your "stock " photos look like most 51 chevys AFTER the work has been done. Good Job Kent.
Wheel placement looks great to me; always better to be a bit ahead than too far back. (before I'd move the Must II, I'd move the front part of the wheel opening ahead whatever you deem it needs;... no one would ever know you did it if you do it rite.) Again, I think it looks just rite now. I wouldn't change anything on your front end. Nice fastback! ...should be a very nice driver with that drivetrain combo.
Placement is fine. Doing a 49' right now and I had the same problem with wheelbase. Just don't tell anybody.................. lol
Alot of there old chevies(and many other makes) didn't have the best wheel placement from the factory.The 51 in my avatar has lowered stock suspension and I never noticed until I lowered it that the wheel sits slightly forward. I've considered unbolting the stock crossmember and and sliding it back a hair.
Damn...fleetlines just look incredible with nearly nothing more then a lowering job. I just love them. Yours looks great.
Everyday I drive home I see mine and fall in love all over again!!! Now if I can just get the damn garage finished so I can get my *** out there and start working on it.... This thread is great already. Cant wait to see the progress...
For some reason all of my text isnt showing up on my phone app... After looking at the front suspension for the last year I decided I didn’t like the way it turned out so I rebuilt my top hats and built motor mounts for the sbc. I have also installed a triangulated 4 link in the rear, which still lacks a few minor details. That is what I have at this point, please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Looks nice. Gonna be adapting Jag suspension to my 51 Fleet when I get time. Wanted Mustang 2 setup but my budget is non existant. Can s**** whats left of the Jag after pulling front and rear suspension and seats and still get my money back. Any pics of the rear suspension setup? Any plans for custom body work?
The Jalopy Journal
