33 Coupe Interior 42        11/20/04

The tube is going to get cut where it goes through the bulkhead. This way you won't be able to see it from the trunk or the interior. I marked the tube from either side of the bulkhead and then found the center of those marks. After finding the center, I measured from that mark 1/2" from either side and made another line to cut too. This would be the spot that the tube would need to be cut and then I could weld in my coupler. 
 

 

 

Here you can see the weld prep that I did before I welded it. You can also see the cross-hole for the roll pin. I also want to orientate the clevis pin so that I can have easy access to it along with the roll pin. One more final fit to make sure things line up and I'm ready to do some welding.
 

 

 

After tack welding in the coupler, I then tack welded the down bar to the main hoop. Once I was happy with how it looked, I nailed them all in place. This is how the main hoop looks now that half of the down bar is welded to it. You can see that it will be much easier to remove the main hoop this way instead of having them longer and with the 1/8" mounting plates on the ends when it comes time to install the two rear panels of upholstery.
 

 

 

I reinstalled the main hoop so I could finish the shelf under the car. I made this angled support and drilled three one inch holes in it so it would be lighter. I hope I didn't loose to much strength by doing this. I'm going to add a small triangular gusset to each side for some added strength. I would have added some larger gussets in place of the this angled piece but I have a brake line, fuel line and battery cable to pass through this area so this is why I made it this way because of how much room I had to work with. I also notched out the area next to the one bolt so I could get at it. After I get the small gussets in place, I can run my lines and battery cable again and then put my rear end back in place. 
 

 

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