Time for an update....Sorry it's been awhile but i've been really busy with christmas/family visiting/work and 3 kids under 5 of a truck to build!
I've made some really good progress on the truck since I last posted, the chassis is totally stripped down there is nothing left on it that I don't need apart from a couple of stock crossmembers that will probably go too.
I was orginially going with a solid axle in the rear but I had the chance to buy a complete 1990 Jaguar XJR-S for €200 which has become my donor vehicle for front a rear suspension.
I have take the rear end out of the cage and ordered a couple of parts from a guy in the UK that makes crossmembers, bottom diff plate, front and back tie straps, the one on the front has ears for the torque straps that I will order once i'm ready. If anyone is interested his name is Mark at
www.wisbechengineering.com and there is also another company called popbrowns.co.uk.
I ended up cutting up the crossmember and modifying it so I can get it as low as I want it.
The rear end is a 2.88 powerlock diff with blistein coilovers.
As for the front end it's alot more simpler than the rear end, The front has also come standard with blistein shocks and uprated jaguar sport springs. I also have a very hefty sway bar that is going to bolt up perfectly under the chassis rails.
I have been busy stripping all the front end down the past couple of evenings and got it painted yesterday. I've gone with a professional metal paint in grey that has an 8 year warranty. I've just brushed the parts and it seems to have gone on well and looks good. I have all the replacement rubber bushes to get the front end rebuilt once it's all painted.
I also managed to find a LHD Jaguar steering rack from germany.
My 454BBC engine and 700R4 transmission has arrived from california. It arrived to the uk in one peice but from the UK to France one of the couriers has managed to roll it over and smashed the distributor, bent the valve covers broke the water neck off the intlet manifold and few other minor peices. I am insured so I'm putting a claim in against this, apparently it's not a quick process and I will have to wait 7 weeks! Transmission seems to be ok but I need to inspect it further.
My overall plan is to twin turbo this stock 454 big block and see what we can get out of it.
Sorry it's so long!