I just got in from working on the car, it is 11:35 I have been working on it since about 1:00 pm 12 & 1/2 hours. it is time to eat. LOL Most of the welding is done. I still have to put in some supports to transfer the weight further into the center of the car. and a couple of straps to the top frame. I will post more pictures tomorrow afternoon of the progress. once the welding is done I will put in a thin piece of steel in the bottom tacking it in. Then the insulatation, then the batteries.

I have most of the welding done on the rear compartment, got my steel floor tacked in caulked the compartment and insulated the bottom today. I had to run to Home Depot for more wire for the welder, as I still have at least one more day of welding to do to the rear compartment.
The first picture is of the springs for the rear they are +360 lbs custom wound
The second picture is of the rear under with two angle iron welded in to stiffen the compartment
The third pic is a view from the top with a center support welded in
The fourth is from under and from the rear
The fifth picture is of brackets that are welded to the subframe on the right of center and left of center you have to look closely to pick them out they are welded to the center support and go the subframe on both sides, to help with transfer of weight.
it is taking more time than I anticipated for the fabricatation.

Attached Thumbnails

       

 

The first pic is of the straps again
The second pic is of the right strap a little better idea of it's function
The third pic is of a old taurus hood I had laying around it was used for the floor of the battery compartment in the fourth pic notice the caulk around the outside edge to make it airtight.
The fifth pic is the insulated compartment

Attached Thumbnails

       

 

on the under side of the car, make sure to rubberize the underside since winters dont act too kindly to cars up in this neck of the woods. at least you guys have sand and not salt like us...

I finished the box today and went to put them in. It was a snug fit, too snug I tried to shut the trunk and WHAMMY!!!!!!! it wouldn't close. I should have known! A little thought and a little more welding and I have solved my delimma. I am going back out to work on it maybe with a little luck I will finish the boxes tomorrow. LOL I have to figure out how to restrain the trunk batteries still. Good Suggestion on the winterizing we do get salt here too, lots of it. LOL LOL LOL

as for winterizing... just make sure to clean the underside, then do a flat black spray paint then do the ruberized coating over that (either brushed on or what ever) and it will help a ton, especially since all those batteries will be alot of weight and you will want to keep the strength there in the frame.

I fixed up a battery restraint for my motorhome today and I noticed the height could be a problem, I have to lower it 1 inch as it could cause a arc, it is so close to the terminals. The box in the rear of the car is at the same height and will have to be lowered also. I didn't notice this until I hooked up the wires.

I finished the boxes today I am happy with thier placement, all I have to do is tie them down. I am going to use nylon straps with hooks on the ends.
First pic is of the drivers side, ready for batteries
Second pic is of the passenger side ready for the batteries
Third pic is of the rear ready for the batteries
Fourth pic is with the batteries installed
Fifth pic is the inside looking back with the seats down into the trunk area.

Attached Thumbnails

       

 

With the batteries in the car I had to put 2x4's under the wheels to get the car off the hoist. I wanted to see the clearance on the wheels before I replaced the springs and struts. Less than one inch in the rear and 2 & 1/2 inches in the front.
First pic is of the rear passenger side "lowrider, LOL"
Second pic is of the drivers side theese are before I put in the mew springs pics with the batteries installed in the trunk
Third pic is of the front drivers side
Fourth pic is of the passenger side, the front looks ok for weight with the original springs, I am glad I orderded custom springs for the rear though.
Fifth pic is with the mdf board in and all the High Voltabe connections laid out to see possible configuratations and layout.

Attached Thumbnails

       

 

First pic is of the trunk actually closed with the batteries installed, I couldn't get it to close and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't stay shut until I noticed the latch had been bent out of position sometime while I was welding on the trunk. Problem solved.
Second pic is of the front again I will take better pics tomorrow, I have allot of high voltage parts to put into a small area.

Attached Thumbnails