Project fox: The progress continues

[Jettaboy1884]

Hi,

I'm not in this forum too often, but after reading thru this thread I just want to say that you have done a nice Job on your Fox. It is coming along very nicely, and I like the latest transformations you've done.

Keep it up,

Mike.

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Jettaboy1884, Thanks for the comments!

It was a slow day at work, so i basacaly got paid to work on my own car

What I did:

Painted the hood all silver
Painted the rear spoiler silver
Lowered the hight of the spoiler (sits almost flush with the trunk now)
Re installed the door cards (still out from all the welding)

And this is probly the most functional thing i did: Ever since i put the spoiler on, the trunk would not stay up on its own, well i got hit in the head to many times and finaly solved that issue. I found an old gas strut out of a cellica gt-s, it still worked, but not enough to keep up the cellicas huge hatch so we kept it. Well i decided to use it, i made custom hinged brackets, so now upon opening the trunk it just goes up on its own and stays there

Ill update with pics some time soon...

[jackfrost1031]

If you take the cardboard panels out of your trunk you can see that the spring can be adjusted for the trunk by moving it on the levers. Just in case your gas strut doesn't work out

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Thanks for the tip! I was un aware of that,, I really should get a Bentley…
I think the gas strut will work well.
Updated pics:

My 2 foxes :

[blkparati]

Looking better all the time. Great pic of the red head with the fall leaves.

[Communications]

Pittsburgh chicks rock, Ive been trying to get these two girls to pose in front of my fox, hopefully in Bikinis!

They are almost on board, almost!

At anyrate, Im loving the car, and great pictures!!!

[WyMCoupe]

Quote, originally posted by oRANGEJULIUS »

This reminds me of the overkill gas piston I installed on my BMW hood. I couldn't find one that fit so I made a new botom bracket for it and when I would pop the hood from inside the car while stopping it would go all the way up which was pretty sweet. Pretty much all I needed was a fog machine and an air compressor in the car and It would be complete.

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Had the car up on the rack at work checking everything over, noticed my front struts were blown. Well after a little contemplation off came the struts, then the springs. I did a little math, and pulled out the cutting wheel. Figured the struts were pre- blown so why not. I cut roughly 3 coils out of the front springs (back is stock). Nice rake, pictures do no justice at all, (looks a lot lower in person ill take some better ones some time, note: stock 175/70 13, cell phone is very small, and on slight angle, VW bug on tire is about 2x the size of a matchbox car). All I can say is don’t bash it till you try it. This is my 2nd car with cut springs and I am happy with the results. I still have ample suspension travel, the springs seat correctly, and the ride is nice. No the ride is not as nice as the last car (H&R/KYB combo) but its not bad at all, and very predictable handling not erratic at all. A little bouncy over the bumps, but not bad. better than some cars I have been in with aftermarket lowering springs and stock struts.

I really feel if you do the proper calculations, cut in the right place you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. Remember, do the calculations, cut for spring rate, not ride height. This setup most likely is only temporary, im working on a set of custom coil over sleeves with custom springs, with a set of modified (shortened length) struts. (Side project at my local auto spring shop).

[Jettaboy1884]

Wow, that looks pretty cool. If you got the rear down to the same level as the front, the car would look Great.

Mike.

[DasBaldGuy]

Quote, originally posted by oRANGEJULIUS »

Mmmmm Rake.

[BillLeBob]

Quote, originally posted by DasBaldGuy »

Mmmmm Rake.

[LowriderS10]

those hubcaps look great...and definitely thumbs up for the paintmatched spoiler! looks slick...cute girl too Looks great as always...

[eurorabbit84]

It's a one of a kind dazzler! Love the roof rack! Where did you get all your ideas? You must sit up half the night thinking Fox design - it's all a great job! If you are happy that's all that matters! It's going to bring down the house at Crooked Euros!

Later

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Thanks! I dont know where the ideas come from realy, I just like my own style, somthing diffrent and what ever come to mind ill do it, some things take more time than others but in the end it all comes together... I only work on the car 2 days a week (all i have time for in the schedule w/ work and school) Its working out, I have had the car for less than 5 months started working on it the day I drove it home...

[DreadPirateRobert]

I need to get me some of that rake.

[ryubiggie]

i will say that does look nice. the rake that is. so thats 3 coils? hmmm i wonder how low 2 or even 1 is? i'm looking to keep my a daily driver.

ps nice red head indeed. to bad no girls down here like foxes... i don't get it how all you guys find girls that like your CARS?!?!?!?! anyway that was a short rant back to the NICE RAKE!!!!

[oRANGEJULIUS]

thanks!

This is also a dally driver (adv 250 miles a week) and believe me PA is full of hills, bumps, and pot holes. So far I am doing just fine, no issues with hitting anything vital under the car, just the air dam. The fox appears to sit a little higher than most cars to begin with, even with the drop the oil pan, sub frame, and all other vital parts are still safe. You, being in FL flat as can be, could go even lower with out an issue. IMO 1 coil would not do much of anything not worth the effort, and 2 coils would be somewhere in the middle of stock and my ride height.

[ryubiggie]

well we have holes and bumps also but hills are man made down here. how often do you rub the air dam? i think i might go with 2 maybe 3 but i also work on a dirt road. i'll post when i do it. it might be as soon as this weekend . oh and going lower like 4 coils what about the tie rods? woun't they bottem out on the fram hole thingy?

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Any variation in the road bigger than about 3” (bump, or hole) I hit the air dam. So around my part of town, I hit just about every 30sec. I also travel on a dirt/rock road (if you want to call it a road, it’s an old logging trail) 2 miles to my girlfriends house. This is very harsh terrain dips and bumps 6”+ if you go slow and over them in the right manner your fine, air dam is grinding along the entire way, but nothing vital even close to hitting. As for 4 coils, don’t do it. From what I can recall I think the spring is only 7 or 8 coils to start with, so 4 will leave you with no suspension travel, and a big risk of the spring becoming un seated while driving . No issue with the tie rods, lots of room. Also if you cut, I would recommend doing a front end alignment. Lots of info out there on how to DIY with some simple household tools, save some $$. I did mine on a machine, my lower ball joint is adjusted inward almost the entire way (another thing to think of, camber, you may run into issues if you go lower then 3 coils)… Have fun! P.S I made the strut tool using a 14mm socket, worked great


Modified by oRANGEJULIUS at 4:47 PM 10-18-2006

[oRANGEJULIUS]

set for winter. Removed the "snow plow" painted up the bumpers, and installed snow tires on the old rims. 175/70 up fount, and 185/ 70 in the back. Spring plans: Re install the "plow" lower the back, and new wheels.

Wheels i may go with:

[87FoxGL]

I would never drive this beautiful car in winter! Those wheels you photoshopped look sweet. I say go for it.

[oRANGEJULIUS]

UPDATE!

Had a little time this weekend to mess around with the car. I switched over to the GM Synchromesh fluid ( Without friction modifiers) in the transmission, and I can honestly say it shifts smoother, I would recommend it. (I used a lug bolt welded to a 5/8" socket for the plugs, works great)

The rake was beginning to bug me so I decided to drop the back as well. I cut 5 coils from the back, and rolled the arches. It rubs a little on the bumps 185/70/13, but the 175/70/13 summer treads should fix that. I also cut another 1/2 coil form the front. This brings me about as close as I can get to my lowering goal. I'm happy with the stance now, and it still rides rather well, a little bouncy but predictable and safe.

Next I want to widen the wheel arches about 2.5" (at existing angle, as to bring them down over the tire) As for wheels im sticking with the painted rabbit hub caps, and im going with white wall tires.

Progress:

June 20, 2006

Septemember 27, 2006

November 12, 2006




Modified by oRANGEJULIUS at 7:19 PM 11-12-2006

[SN2BJDM]

i roll on cut springs and usually dont bag on people who ride cuts. But dude 5 coils, damn! I suggest u just get some coilovers.

[87FoxGL]

I love the stance.

[oRANGEJULIUS]

read back a little, coil overs are in the works

Thanks

Its low now (1/4" tuck on 175/70/13), but after I finish the arches, i want to go lower, like another 1" or so. No major issues with hitting annything yet skid plates in the works as well

[Banned wagon]

So you cut 5 in the rear and 3 1/2 in the front? just curious how are you holding the springs in the perches. They will fall out of the perches cut that low. i used a set of limiting straps to keep the strut from expanding all the way out and taking all the tension off the short spring.

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Yes,

Not the best way but, all I did was tack weld the spring to the lower perch. So if it were to over extend atleast it will be around the right spot when the car comes back down. I have been over some big dips and so fourth, and have yet to have the suspension extend beyond the springs limits. How did you set up your limit straps? Where did you attach them? Pics would be great, mite go that route until I switch to the coil overs. Once the coil overs are done ( side project at the shop) we are shortening a set of struts and re threading the shafts as to eliminate the issue. Also thinking about using a set of air shocks, shorting them, and modifying them to work with the fox to avoid the obvious issues with the fluid struts.

[blkparati]

Coils will not give you the you the drop you have now.They will actually raise it up.

[BillLeBob]

You are about to hit the B1,B2 and Bx's major limitation suspension wise. The steering arm on the strut housing. Since you seem to be the adventurous type, you might try to shorten the housings "Brazil Style" by removing much of the distance between the steering arm and the knuckle. I don't think any one around here ('tex) has tried that yet.

What sort of angle are your control arms at? While I realize that handling is not your ultimate goal, too much past parallel will result in crazy bump steer.

[Shawn M.]

WOW, nice work and props for creativity and dedication

[oRANGEJULIUS]

Thanks for the comments!

Here are all the fun pictures:

Passenger side A arm angle:

Driver side A arm angle ( I think im going trim a little metal out for greater axel clearance ):

Tie Rod: yep, im about there

Put the car up on an angle to get these next pics( I can physically make it up that ledge into the garage, I just grind my exhaust a little ):

Back tire on compressed side:

Back tire uncompressed side ( see 5 coils is not that much , I still have some suspension travel )

Uncompressed side spring, (spring did not come unseated):

Planning pic: Extended the arches, Rabbit caps, white wall 175/70 13's, tinted windows, shaved the rear markers, Wolfsburg badge, and the last 2 door handles (current ride hight)

BillLeBob that sounds like a good possible direction.... I put the coil over project on hold. I am now thinking about going with an air bag setup, pieced together from bone yard luxury crusers . Im still under $650 for this project, including the price of the car, mite as well see how far I can go for under $1,000, with bone yard parts, a little ingenuity, and lots of tools .

BTW any info you all may have about custom air bag setups, or suspension in general would be great, awalys looking to learn more about it



Modified by oRANGEJULIUS at 3:15 PM 11-13-2006

[DreadPirateRobert]

How do you plan to get into the car? Remote keyless entry?

[WyMCoupe]

Quote, originally posted by manboy »

How do you plan to get into the car? Remote keyless entry?

I would imagine some sort of button hooked up to a cable that runs into the door to pull the handle. It wouldn't be too hard to do with some decent welding and fab skills like OJ has. The only question is where to put the button I would recess it inside the bottom of the door mirror for easy access and low visability.

Although I do have to say that a linear acctuator would be pretty sweet especially if you had a pretty heavy duty spring to pop the door open. It would be funny if some dude was checkin out your car and you hit the button from a ways a way. It would freak him out!!!

[oRANGEJULIUS]

I was thinking about going the rout everyone goes ( electric solenoid on the latch, and a door pooper, with a backup manual latch, via a keyless entry system) But the more and more I have been thinking abbot it, here's my plan. I have a small compressor for an air ride system along with a tank, box of solenoids, and a crap load of line and fittings... I was going to pick up some small ( 6", 2" throw 125psi ) pneumatic rams like the kind that are on cnc setups, I can get them for around $40 shipped for 4. Custom brackets in the doors and use those to pop the latch. So basically have the compressor on a pressure switch to fill the tank at a set PSI, so I will always have a reserve to pop the doors, no worries about dead batteries. Use a spring out of a rear drum brake welded to the door frame to pop the door once the latch is popped. I would control this with low amp electric solenoids (would still operate on a practaly dead batt), and a Compustar system so its all remote. Im looking at a total cost of around $250, or if i skip the Compustar system and just pull a keyless entry module and remote from a junk car im down to like $75

[Rocky Raccoon]

Sorry to bring this post back to the top, but I was wondering what fox is and Im surprised to find I really like them. It reminds me of my childhood seeing cars from the 80's. If i at all disrespect anyone by saying that sorry, but these cars look really badass. Good job guys and congrats on your rides!