Moparts

Removable front clip

Posted By: OUTLAWD

Removable front clip - 03/14/17 11:03 PM

Hi all, I'm looking for some pics/ideas for a removeable front clip with factory front frame rails. Just looking for ideas in how to tie it all together and how to attach it to the frame stubs. Will have strut bars and removable inner fenders. Will be using factory fenders for now, may go to a glass clip as some point.

Thanks in advance!
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Removable front clip - 03/14/17 11:27 PM

I used the tubes for the front end on the
race car... all stock steel parts but I used
zues fasteners at the rear lower fender points
so I could get the front end off in about 3 min.
with help(so it wouldnt flex)... I didnt do any
of that on the Rampage.. I can pull the engine and
trans all in one shot with the front end on it
EDIT
I cant find a pic of the tubes used that mount the
front end but I bought a kit from S&W for doing
this(a pair of tubes that slid in the rails
EDIT
the one thing I did on both cars was the mount
for the radiator.. I used rubber at the bottom
like a C for the lower and a alum rod to hold
it out in location.. works well
wave

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Posted By: Chassisman

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 12:22 AM

Here's some pics of how we do ours.....










Pins on the fender bottoms are the olny thing holding clip on once hood is removed..




1 inch square tube slides into 1 1/2 square tube like hitch recievers along side firewall....bottoms of fenders use hood pins on tabs wedled to tops of rocker panel.
Posted By: Chassisman

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 12:24 AM

My Dart actualy uses factor bumper brackets...I slotted out the factory holes larger to make one long slot. I then used longer bumper bolts with EMT conduit for rollers'Adjustable spacers...I then used a large washer at the end to keep side movement to a minimum.
Posted By: OUTLAWD

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 02:15 AM

Thanks guys, I am tired of leaning over the fender anytime I am under the hood, and I'm hoping to trim some fat in the process.

Was thinking to use the bumper bolts in a similar fashion, Chassisman

Mr.P, I recall a while back you mentioned longer travel "street friendly" struts for the rampage, did you ever end up swapping them out, if so which ones did you go with? A street car in MI might need more travel than a typical drag strut would offer. I have entertained adapting fox body struts, but need to do more homework.
Posted By: skicker

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 02:21 AM

Mine may be a little different than what your looking for...I needed mine to be able to get out of the way easily and without any help. For that reason I decided to go flip nose.
I wasn't worried about weight so I used a pair of leaf spring sliders mounted to my new frame rails. I made a bracket from the original rail down to the pivot point. Mine is set up to slide forward 4" to get the fenders to clear the doors and then flip forward.
The original frame ends, bumper and mounts, filler panel, grill, fenders and hood will be all tied together as one piece.
I don't have all the bugs worked out yet as it is a work in progress.
Plans at the rear were to use a 1/2" solid round bar welded to the front clip and have it land in a piece of 3/4" steering shaft welded to the body with one end open and notched back to allow the round bar to land on it.
Mind you this is all still primitive and hasn't had any details worked out...

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Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 02:22 AM

I havent looked at the car for 2 months..
I just got back from vacation(2 months in
Port A Texas).. I dont know if I will change
the front end
wave
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 02:24 AM

Not trying to hijack this thread BUT do any of you know about a kit for a tilt one piece front end that slides forward a little to tilt the front end? help
Thanks in advance bow
Posted By: skicker

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 02:29 AM

Originally Posted By Cab_Burge
Not trying to hijack this thread BUT do any of you know about a kit for a tilt one piece front end that slides forward a little to tilt the front end? help
Thanks in advance bow


popcorn
Posted By: OUTLAWD

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 03:19 AM

Thanks skicker. Having the option to tilt would be convenient, as I am mostly a 1 man show. Thanks for the pics
Posted By: FastmOp

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 04:23 AM

Mine is simple

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 04:44 AM

Although mine isn't a stock frontend the mods could easily be done and I will probably be doing this to my other 2 Dusters because it makes the car so easy to work on. 4 bolts and its off or on.












I am a one man team to so I made a jig in my car trailer so I could remove and install by myself. The fenders are steel with a fiberglass bumper.


4 pieces of 3/4 black iron pipe and (2) 3/4 pipe collars.

















Posted By: OUTLAWD

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 03:20 PM

Thanks guys.

This guy goes a bit over the top, but if you can get over the cheeky humor he does some nice work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_H8bK8o3UM

minute 15 he starts messing with the front end.
Posted By: 590 Challenger

Re: Removable front clip - 03/15/17 11:56 PM

If you are still looking for ideas, here is what I did. I bolted the fenders to square 1 inch tubing, welded some square pegs on the fire wall. Bolted the front to the top of the radiator support, (everything bolted to it already) made a loop with to pins to slide it on to. Solid as can be, oh and little tubes mount to my bumper with pins, comes right off




Posted By: Polarapete

Re: Removable front clip - 03/16/17 01:06 AM

I have never thought about doing that, but there is a guy in my town that comes to our show with his Duster and he drives it in the gate and I have been on the road with him

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Posted By: rebel

Re: Removable front clip - 03/16/17 12:33 PM

my front clip is made from kevlar so its a lot more rigid. we only have 6 mounting points but thats all it needs for a solid mount. being Kevlar its real light compared to glass. the front mounts are off the radiator support, the rear are on the top edge of the firewall & we have one each side on the bottom of the fender.

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Posted By: 80arrow

Re: Removable front clip - 03/16/17 02:20 PM

Originally Posted By Polarapete
I have never thought about doing that, but there is a guy in my town that comes to our show with his Duster and he drives it in the gate and I have been on the road with him


Any idea what spoiler that is? Camaro?
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