Blas,
Yeah, a tube around the driveshaft would be the best way to contain it but I don't want the hassle of having to pull the driveshaft out to put the hoop in and vice versa, even though I'll be pulling the driveshaft out later. Then there's also the consideration of loose high velocity U-joint parts... Having a removable tunnel does make the job easier, but I wanted to be able to install this with the tunnel intact. I also wanted to try to do this with a minimum amout of welding-not for any reason other than laziness, I guess...
Dean,
Nice looking installation. I probably could have saved a lot of time and trouble by buying a couple of these, modifying them and and incorporating them into my design, rather than bending my own hoops. The only problems I see with your install, as mentioned above, is the fact that there's still a lot of "flop room" with this system; that you need one for each end, and there's no provision for containing a busted U-joint. Maybe an issue; maybe not. I think the Summit product is designed for a live axle, so there needs to be room for the driveshaft to move up and down. In our cars, that's not an issue.
My design, basically, is a rehash of the SPF factory hoop, except X2 for front and back, with an extra piece under the driveshaft to limit how much it can flop around, and a hood over the top 1/2 of the U-joint to contain shrapnel. The front hoop can be symmetrical, since the front U-joint is in the center of the tunnel; the rear hoop needs to be offset about 1", since the driveshaft angles towards the passenger side relative to the frame. I've used a bunch of acetylene gas so far, but haven't had to fire up the plasma cutter yet
I'll email you a photo or post here when I'm done.
Scootter,
Now that's what I'M talkin about...put another one in the front and do something to contain the shrapnel from busted U-joints... How'd ja bend that sucker...hot or cold?
Think I'll go out to the garage for another Bombay Sapphire and tonic and a cigar and consider the situation further...although I don't want to get too far off track, since I have most of the parts made already.
BTW: How 'bout this one...With a satisfactory method of containing the driveshaft, do you see the battery cable and the fuel line running together as a problem?
Lowell