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Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans #2164782
09/29/16 10:23 PM
09/29/16 10:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
7
70RT Offline OP
mopar
70RT  Offline OP
mopar
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
Guys - was hoping someone here would be willing to share their plans/specs/pictures of an k-frame/engine/tranny cradle used when taking the drivetrain with suspension attached out from the bottom. Appreciate any and all help provided. I have a local fabricator lined up just need some starting points. TIA!

Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 70RT] #2164834
09/29/16 11:36 PM
09/29/16 11:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,528
Southeast PA
5wndwcpe Offline
pro stock
5wndwcpe  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,528
Southeast PA
Here is one I made that supports the engine by the oil pan. Fits BB and SB and rides on top of a motorcycle jack, making it easy to maneuver.

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Last edited by 5wndwcpe; 09/29/16 11:37 PM.

1968 GTX hardtop
1968 Sport Satellite Convertible 383/4spd
1933 Plymouth coupe
2002 Ram 2500 oil burner 4x4
2015 Grand Cherokee
2013 Challenger
1957 Chrysler Saratoga


Man...I need a bigger freakin' garage.
Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 70RT] #2164999
09/30/16 09:40 AM
09/30/16 09:40 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,836
Florida
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mopar346 Offline
Let me tell ya about fat chicks!
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Let me tell ya about fat chicks!
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Florida
PM an e-mail address for set of plans, I'm not on my computer and cant figure out how to upload the doc from an e-mail but I can forward it and then someone could attach it.


Careful, your character's showing!
Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: mopar346] #2166445
10/02/16 01:20 PM
10/02/16 01:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
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70RT Offline OP
mopar
70RT  Offline OP
mopar
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Posts: 542
Thanks for the replies guys!

Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 70RT] #2166707
10/02/16 09:04 PM
10/02/16 09:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
68jim Offline
super stock
68jim  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
This is one I made several years ago for my 68 RR project. I made it a little taller so I could have room to work it under my lift as I was bolting it in. Couple of small issues I ran into was with the Milodon oil pan and K-frame - I needed to put a notch in the one upper rail to clear the pan. I also put some nylon sheet scraps on the top to protect the paint (wood would work just as well). I used a spare scissor jack I got out of some car at the junkyard to allow me to fine adjust the angle during installation (weld it to the cradle so it does not move). I also put the spindles and brakes together on the K-frame initially but since my lift was a 4-post style I had to remove them to clear the lift tracks. It was probably a little overkill for a one time shot but I gave it to a mopar restoration shop so it still sees good use.

Jim

DCP02230.JPGDCP02232.JPGIMG_5979.JPGIMG_5982.JPG
Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 68jim] #2166781
10/02/16 11:05 PM
10/02/16 11:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
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70RT Offline OP
mopar
70RT  Offline OP
mopar
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
Thanks Jim! That's exactly what I needed.

Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 70RT] #2166885
10/03/16 04:12 AM
10/03/16 04:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
68jim Offline
super stock
68jim  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
70RT,

Are you using a lift? 2 post or 4 post? Or are you lifting the front end high with the rear end as the pivot point?

My style cradle will work fine with a lift but is too tall for the pivot method.

Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 68jim] #2167383
10/03/16 09:57 PM
10/03/16 09:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
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70RT Offline OP
mopar
70RT  Offline OP
mopar
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 542
Two post lift. The only point I'm not clear on is the front two front contact points. Engine or K-frame? Thanks!

Re: Engine and Transmission Cradle Plans [Re: 70RT] #2167540
10/04/16 05:59 AM
10/04/16 05:59 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
68jim Offline
super stock
68jim  Offline
super stock

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,034
Southeast Virginia
Two post lift will make it much easier. I also had to put 4 notches in the drip pan lips on the lift tracks to clear the K-frame "ears". The process, once I started pushing the motor under the car, took all of 20 minutes until I was raising the car to clear the cradle. I added a few more pictures - the K-frame is what makes contact to the cradle front contact points. I do not have an exact measurement for height but you get an idea of how much room we had to bolt in the trans cross member. If you make it higher for more room the tradeoff will be in the overall stability, or just make it wider as well.

Good luck - would like to see pics of what you end up with.

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