It’s been over a month since my last post. You know how December can be with all the shopping, caroling, parties, baking and volunteering. Fear not, though, because I somehow managed to make some time for the Duster.
As I write this, the front suspension is done and the necessary modifications have been done to the factory steering column. The column is also attached to the steering rack. Once I get some wheels on there the car will be steerable and movable and off to the fabricator to install the rear suspension. Progress!
I also received a very exciting package from fine folks at Hotwire Auto in Mena, AR. It contained my new 6.1/NAG1 wiring harness, speed sensors, plus the shifter and assorted electronic boxes from the donor SRT8 Charger. The harness itself is pretty much a work of art and considering the challenges of using the NAG1 transmission, it’s probably the most crucial element of this project. Some things are worth the cost. Sure, it hasn’t actually been installed yet, but I’m confident it’ll work like gangbusters.
Behold the Hotwire Auto 6.1/NAG1 harness! All I had to do was send off a few electronic bits and a check and a few weeks later all this appeared on my doorstep.
Every connector is clearly labeled plus a serial number and phone number for when I’m very confused during installation, despite the labels.
The Steering Column
Once I stopped gawking and set the harness aside, I set my sights on the next project.
The instructions for the Reilly Motorsport AlterKation kit suggests that one turn to the factory service manual of whatever car was being worked on for disassembling and modifying the steering column. The outer tube would have to be shortened and the internal shifter parts removed. I didn’t follow this advise. I mean, how hard can it really be?
Turns out, a steering column is a pretty complicated thing with all those ignition shifter bits in there. It took me two tries to pull off the modifications due to a lack of tools. My confidence was a bit shaken, too, but once I got in there I moved slowly and got it done without much trouble. RMS supplies a plastic bearing which installs into the end of the shortened tube and holds the steering shaft in place. Now done, the whole thing looks pretty clean and professional.
I forgot to bring my camera the day I worked on the column so there is no photographic coverage of the job. This is probably for the best.
The clock is ticking
The Hot Rod Power Tour starts on June 1st in Arlington, Texas.
My goal is to have the Duster done by May 1st. By “done” I mean it needs to be a running, driving automobile. I’ll be okay with some mechanical and tuning issues on this date but it needs to pretty much work. I figure I can use the month of May to sort it all out. I suspect I’ll be luring Jim up here with the promise of beer and Kansas City BBQ. I’ll keep my promise, of course, but once he’s sobered up and all that pork has settled I will put his ass to work. He’s good with wiring, tubes and electronics and all kinds of finicky stuff that I’m inexperienced with or just plain bad at doing. I’m going to try to get him up here sometime this winter, too.
I’m feeling okay with my progress to date but I do suffer the occasional moment of dread at the thought the Duster won’t be finished in time. It would be a huge disappointment. Okay, enough of that. Onward and upward.
The Jimicam
In closing, I offer up some blurry photos taken by my friend Jimi on one of his Obamaphones. He has six of them.
While the quality may not be all that good, Jimi has an unique perspective on this project and a quirky sensibility.
