Bockscar 2.0

[kiwi belly tank]

At Bonneville I've seen a lot of forward cage structures terminate at the top rail, not something I would do or recommend but the apparently pass tech!
  Sid.

[Calkins]

The new Speed Demon cage goes down to the lower frame rail.  The upper frame rail attaches to it.

[Calkins]

http://speeddemon715.com

[Rex Schimmer]

Stainless,
Here is a pic from the build of the "Brunskilltown Bullet" by DLRA363. Might give some ideas.

Rex

[floydjer]

Calkins...Thanks for the link...It looks  like  the inside of that station buck defines the outside of the body...Great idea to file away for use. 

[Calkins]

I was thinking the same thing.  Great Idea!  No wonder that team is so darn fast!

[jacksoni]

At Bonneville I've seen a lot of forward cage structures terminate at the top rail, not something I would do or recommend but the apparently pass tech!
  Sid.

Only with gussets. Looks to me this type of construction is why they are specified.

[kiwi belly tank]

I believe the gusset rule was a result of Tom Bryant's crash.
  Sid.

[jacksoni]

I believe the gusset rule was a result of Tom Bryant's crash.
  Sid.

When was that? Gussets (generally, with locations not specified) are called for in the oldest rule book I have -1976- and are specified in the locations mentioned above in 1990 (but not 1987, I can't find my '88 and '89 rulebooks) so that specification was added between 87 and 90, FWIW. The drawings in the rule book do show hoops welded to the shoulder rails. I agree, always thought that not the best way. On my liner, the rear hoop was duplicated and integrated with the firewall to "gusset" it and the front had a 1/8" plate welded to and between front and rear hoops and extended down to the shoulder rails.

[desotoman]

I believe the gusset rule was a result of Tom Bryant's crash.
  Sid.

If you are talking roll cage gussets, they were mandatory shortly after a Lakester crash at El Mirage. I forget the drivers name but it was a turbo-ed SBC powered car that as I remember threw a rod which in turn broke the starter off the block. Rear tire ran over starter which flipped the car upside down and the lake-bed tore the roll cage completely off of the car. Sadly the driver did not survive.

Tom G.

[Stan Back]

He was a friend of mine, Dick Miller, who had a couple of Fiat dealerships in San Bernardino and Orange counties.  As I remember, the chassis was an ex-dragster one.

[desotoman]

He was a friend of mine, Dick Miller, who had a couple of Fiat dealerships in San Bernardino and Orange counties.  As I remember, the chassis was an ex-dragster one.

Thanks Stan. Yes Dick Miller, and yes an ex-dragster is what I remember. I don't remember the exact year but think it was in the mid to late 1980's.

Tom G.

[Tman]

Been absent for a while. Looking good Stainless and Johnboy!

[Stainless1]

Have I mentioned how nice the build table is?  I guess if I was a better welder, I could stand on my head, work the pedal with my elbow and lay down perfect beads.... but as we all know, I'm not that guy...
But I am making some progress.  I believe the rear roll bar is all welded in now as well as the frame members it attaches to. 

[Stainless1]

OK, if you look that close, you will notice in these pics that the rear roll bar is not all welded in, it is now, just had to finish fitting these parts and remove them prior the welding before I bury something I can't get to. 
This is the seat back support, and likely the seat belt mounts by the time I get it done.  I will make a seat belt mount as a gusset between the lower 1.5 x 1 and the tube.  The seat belt will go over the tube on the outside of the square tubes, making about 7.5 inches between the shoulder belts.