You know you want it after seeing how nice it is in person.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

So,... I'm moving forward with my tow hub idea...

I grabbed a set of rear minivan spindles from Pull-A-Part and had a set of 1/2" steel plates made up at a local steel place. Then we'll weld the two together.

This will either get me by until I can get a trailer or convince me that a trailer is, indeed, the only way to go...

PICS will follow once they're all done.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Here are some pictures of what we put together for the tow hubs.

I went to Pull-A-Part and pulled the rear drum brake spindles off of a '95 Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager.

I had to make some clearance notches for the 4 1/2" bolt pattern.



I had a local welding shop punch two 1/2" thick steel plates with a 2 3/4" center hole and 6" outside diameter.

They made a set with the 4 1/2" bolt pattern, but boogered it up pretty good, so my friend Dale (who works as a welder at the same place) took them back and had them re-done without the bolt holes. He drilled them himself at home and they are now spot on.



A couple clamps to hold things in place...



And a few minutes later we had some tow hubs!



Dale had several ideas to make these better. If I had showed him the full concept in the beginning instead of just showing up with some parts and asking, "Can you weld this?" they would have been much better looking.

Dale also welded my Pull-A-Part tow hitch back together for me. It was about 1 3/4" too wide, so I cut it apart and we shortened it.

Having the proper tools (welder, cutting torch, quality drill press, etc) makes doing things like this SO much nicer!



Once again,... My "photo rotation" abilities are somewhat lacking.

Hitch is on "Stella" and the wiring is all set.



I trial fitted a hub on GodsRods Duster II last night and I needed to do a little clearance grinding. The axle center on the Ford 8" sticks out about 1/2" and there was some interference with the inner weld. (I should have gotten a tad thicker plate). My plan was to grind down the end of the axle a little, but time is short and I need to do other things, so...
I grabbed a set of 5/16" wheel spacers at Advance Auto.

(Yes, I have considerably lessened the safety status of this already precarious towing method by adding the dreaded "wheel spacers" to the mix...

I've been thinking about several people's concerns expressed about me doing this whole "tow hub" thing...

Maybe it's because after surviving two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan I'm just looking for a little "risk" again!

(I can't ride dirt bikes or jump out of airplanes anymore because my back and knees can't handle it... )

I'll do some testing around here locally tomorrow before Chase and I head out for Knoxville on Friday. If I sense anything that's "off" with this set up I'll ditch GodsRods Duster II for this trip and we'll just take Stella.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Mater vs Cookie ????????

Good idea of a road test first. Get on the interstate also to check it at those speeds also before you head out.

_________________
There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

That's the plan. There is also a nice big hill on the way to Ohio Valley that I'll go to.
That will be happenin' at Clay City, KY the weekend of 5-7 October.

Cookie just couldn't stand havin' a turn key racin' car all ready to go.

He had to go and take it all apart again! (Some excuse 'bout his yungin' beein' skeered of the hopped motor and 4 speed in his Demon... )

He's still chasin' his tail (I think he's really just too skeered to race me, so he keeps comin' up with these lame excuses... )

Not to fear!

Clay City 2012 will have the Fast Four & Grudge Matches Galore!!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Here are some pics of the tow hubs mounted on GodsRods Duster II.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Far out, man...

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yep, they do seem to be sticking awfully far out.......


Is the tire going to hit the fender?

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

They did touch just a little here and there on big bumps, but not bad at all. I'll get some different wheels at some point. I just had these layin' around off the SRT-4.

The tow hubs worked just fine towing to US60 Dragway last night.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Did the car run when you got there?

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Quite well in fact. Thank you for asking...

So, I've now made 5 passes in GodsRods Duster II...

8.91 - 9.11 is the range...

That Cookie feller bedder look out at Clay City!

('Course,... My lights ain't none too good yet... )

Chase is at a soccer team pool party 'til 5... Then we head on back out there fer some more seat time...

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Are you sure you can't come up with the $$$ for a trailer????

_________________
Richard (aka Fingers)

I s'pose maybe I could... But this is more adventurous!

Chase has his learner's permit until December, so he has to drive with a parent/guardian until then. This way we can go to races together and both race.

I will eventually get a trailer,... Maybe.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Chase has his learner's permit until December, so he has to drive with a parent/guardian until then. This way we can go to races together and both race.
this way when cookie does show up with running car ,you both can crush/crumble cookie