Sacrilege build - AYK Pro Radiant RACER

[JK Racing]

Highly inspired by JHarris and his modded up Pro Radiant - I decided to do the same/similar.

First off - I have always yearned deeply for a Pro Radiant, they just looked so damn cool. Saw one ONCE at a race track - only in magazines and kits in shops the rest of the time. Never got my hands on one. Till recently. Got an opportunity to purchase one and bought it. Easily the most I have ever paid for a vintage car. And to think I am going to modify it with modern suspension so I can race it....

The plan:

B44.3 front & rear arms, 12mm big bore shocks, fresh Factory Works chassis and lower plate (@GoMachV) and all modern electronics/wheels/batteries.

[JK Racing]

At first, I wasnt going to do the arm swap "mod" - so I had found a way to run modern wheels on the stock arms & driveshafts. Pretty easy overall, 4mm thick rear hex & drilled out a set of 2wd AE 12mm hex wheels to fit over the stock one ways.

[JK Racing]

But then, as luck would have it - I was able to get a 2nd Radiant - notice I did not say Pro this happened to be (per Steve Dunn via Facebook) and early conversion car from Radiant to a mid motor "Pro" car. So my focus changed to swap arms on this one, keeping the killer orange arms aside for a resto of the early car.

[JK Racing]

So...onto the build up. I was able to pick up a B44.3 car for a song. It was beat up and quite dirty, but I really only wanted the shocks and suspension, so it was a perfect candidate. No pics of it, I stripped it quickly.

First up - tearing down the car and starting to test fit the parts.

[JK Racing]

Ahhh, those beautiful chassis parts from Factory Works - he does awesome work. Not to mention the killer paint from my buddy over at BrainDeadDesigns.

[JK Racing]

First thing, arms & front upper camber links...

I used a thin 4-40 nut inside the upper arm mount to secure the ball stud. Only modification I did to the original parts was drill that hole for the ball stud. All modifications can be reversed (to the AYK parts) - but all AE arms were drilled out for the stock AYK hinge pins - that cannot be undone.

[JK Racing]

I didnt seem to take a good close up on the rear arms, but you will need a spacer (I put it in front of the arms), as they are a touch narrower than the arm mounts in the rear. The fronts are nearly perfect.

[JK Racing]

I tried to stop and take pics as I was building, but they were usually an afterthought

[JK Racing]

More....yes, I need to re-route the chain properly.

[JK Racing]

As it sits now - I need to dig out a set of wheels/tires to mount up, and B5M wing mounts. Then electronics & trim & mount the body.

I do have B44.2 saddle pack trays that I need to measure up and mount as well. They arent pictured yet.

[Dadio]

I love those happy accidents that turn a one car build into a two car build , looking very nice !

[matt1ptkn]

I have always loved the Pro Radiant, except for one time. 20 years later, I regret my hasty decision, and wish I hadn't sold it. Beautiful build! I'm looking forward to a track report.

[jwscab]

looks great!! If you are interested in a slipper, I can probably make a shaft for you that uses a B4 setup.

[Lonestar]

Wow, twice...

1- the overall project
2- Steve Dunn's radiant - Daaaaamn, I should go back to FB....

Can't wait to see it run. RPM arms at the front are probably a good idea

[Mr. ED]

Crazy cool project!