Internal sway bar... stupid or possible?

[Panelfantastic]

Yep Adam, it was a gamble. I knew if they were cheap castings that they would fall apart as soon as the arc was struck. My welding guy said he would try it anyway and see what happens. The way they flowed together gave some confidence that they will be strong enough.
Most of the guys that make the lowered bus spindles also weld reinforcements around the crown to give them strength, same material as the arms so I had a good idea it would work.
I wouldn't dare repair a broken arm this way but if you look at the pics, my new mount rests on part of the old shock boss, supports some of the load so it's not entirely dependant on the weld.

Started on new upper mounts this week...AND finally got the ok to buy my OWN mig .


Jeff-

[volkdent]

What one are you going to get?

FWIW, I got the smallest 220 Lincoln and I've been really pleased with it. I made a little cart for it and the bottle using a highly modified shopping cart I found in a ditch and it worked out really well.

Jason

[Panelfantastic]

I"ve been using a borrowed 110v Snap-On, what I call a "pocket mig". Very light duty. When I decided to get my own, I was gonna get the biggest, baddest I could afford. Before I dropped the cash, I checked with a buddy who does race car chassis fab and also asked the industrial fab place that has been making and welding my pieces... what they told me was really suprising.
They both said get the smallest 220v rig you can in one of the top brands. Anything bigger will not weld sheet metal well and besides the cost doubling, you will never use the power "No one really needs to weld 1/2" in a single pass".
I've opted for the Millermatic 175.

Jeff-

[volkdent]

Looks like my suggestion wasn't too far off then! I don't think you'll want for any more, and the little ones are way more mobile.

Jason

Jeff,

Any news?
Are the control arms already in place?
How do they hold?

I really like to know, because I have similar plans for my split.

Luuk

[Panelfantastic]

Everythings in place, been waiting on a new master cylinder. Should have it on the road this weekend and will report back on how it all works.


Jeff-

[MikeVW]

I have not seen this thread before so I apologize for jumping in late. I like the idea of replacing the leaf springs in the tube with a solid bar to be used as a anti-sway bar. I am no expert on sway bars but is seems like two one inch bars will make it super stiff. You may decide that one bar is plenty. Usually stiff bars are 1 3/4 are used and they have diagonal arms that attach to the A arm on newer cars which provide a lot more leverage to twist the large bar. Have you done anything to stiffen the roll of the rear of the bus? It seems that a lot of anti-roll in the front will cause serious oversteer. Just my two cents, can't wait to hear how it turns out.

Mike