Clearence for the DOGG Bucket -neec opinions

[dixiedog]

The DOGG Bucket is in mock up and prefab stage right now and I need some opinions on how high to set the tranny and oil pan off the ground. I want the body "low & level".

The frame is being stepped 3" @ front & what ever it takes in the rear. Front is using a 46 Ford front axle & brakes, model T spring mount, split bones, spring over using perches, and the rear is going to be a Jeep Model 20 axle to utilize the 5.5" pattern. The drive shaft will incline upwards towards the rear axle but will set the inclination angle the same angle front & rear U Joint. The scrub angles may get thrown out for the sake LOW.
Here is a pic from last week - 4T64RD saw the latest with those sexy WWW's mounted on the steelies

[Tudor]

Hey Dog - If you have cowl set right, how high is the pan from the ground when the valve covers are like 6" lower than the cowl? Or I guess you would want to set the air cleaner top flush with the top of the radiator and cowl - then see what kind of clearance you have.

[dixiedog]

Tudor
It ends up being right at about 5" under the pan.

The rad shell is still a big unknown, but I am using the radiator that came out of the 61 Chev truck 19" high & 22" wide - I have that 35 truck shell from MBL and was considering chopping it but I have a strong affection for tractor grills

The motor & tranny combo is a WIDE Buick 350 & T400.

[Tudor]

just think of the worst speed bump you may hit, If that 5" clearance is within 2 feet of the front wheels you should be cool maybe scooch it up one more inch -or just weld you a little extra plate on the bottom of yer oil pan fer armor

I put my body on the frame last night, speakin of mockin - i still have a woody

I'll send a pic tonight

[C9]

Some think my 32 roadster is too high, but it's about as low as I want it.
At least for a reasonable degree of practicality.

Lowest point on the car are the collectors.
They're 5" off the ground and 40" behind the front wheel center line.

The engine pan (& trans pan as well) are 5 1/2" off the ground and the front part of the pan - where it would hit first - is 22" behind the front wheel center line.

The important thing here is, I've entered and exited many a steep driveway, both straight ahead and at an angle and crossed over more than a few speed bumps.
Including one speed bump - at the downtown parking garage - at the bottom of a fairly steep ramp - making it about the toughest test there is for a lowered car.

The roadster has never dragged on driveway or speed bump.

[4t64rd]

Didja try the bronze wool idea on the one wheel yet?

Them wheels looked damn spiffy! still waiting on work about your sector shaft, One-eye mentioned yesterday that he has a pile of Corvairs out in the desert in CA, and can send someone out there to unbolt a bunch of steering boxes and send them here if we need them.

[Mo Junk]

dixiedog, I have attached a photo of the modified I am building. I am using a 46 ford front axle and wishbones with the spring hung off the wishbones. The frame is z'd 3" in the front and 12 1/2" in the rear. I'm using a model A crossmember and spring back there. I'm a little concerned about my pan clearance. I have about 4" and plan to add a skid plate to the oil pan. The front axle is lower than the 28-29 radiator and tie rod(still behind axle) so those items should be protected from roadkill and other road hazards. My driveshaft tunnel will serve as an armrest. It's about 5" above the floor at the rear and angles to below the floor at the trans.Speedbumps-who knows. There's so many factors to address that for now I'm just going to get it on the road and give it a try.Good luck, Sam

[flt-blk]

I set my motor on 4 X 4's with a piece of 1" plywood total 5"
Set the frame over the engine (at ride height) and made motor mounts.
Simple as that, and I have had no clearance problems on the
motor, I clip the running board bolt on occasion when I am
not being careful.
TZ

[ChuckleHead_Al]

Hey Mo Junk would ya happen to have a frontal view pic. of your ride? If so can ya post it, need idears..thanx

[dixiedog]

Mo Junk - thanks, that makes me feel better, it looks like I am following your design. I have a model A crossmember and may use it. Do you have a front on pic? That would be great. How much up/down travel do you expect for the front axle?

C9 - that helps knowing you havent had a problem with the motor at that height.

46- going to get some of that at lunch today and give it a try tonight. Cant wait to see what it does.