BURIED ALIVE III
IMPERIALS VS THE WORLD
Any work done to frame or body that is not directly outlined in these rules may result in a car being automatically loaded. Frame plating is an automatic load any thing else done outside the rules will be up to the officials as to what can or can’t be done to allow the car to participate in the event or not.
1. IMPERIALS VS THE WORLD. NO SPECIALTY VEHICHLES IN THIS CLASS
2. PRE- RUN CARS WILL BE ALLOWED: However, pre run cars will not receive any additional wire, plates or banding. In addition, pre run cars must conform to new rule changes.
3. No plating of frame outside of DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE RULE SEE BELOW. If found plated, that car will be automatically disqualified. This includes loading of frames.
4. No spray foam or other materials inside the frame.
DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE RULE.
EACH CAR FRESH OR PRE RUN WILL BE ALLOWED 4 TOTAL, 4″ X 4″ X 1/4″ maximum PLATES ANYWHERE ON OUTSIDE OF FRAME. ALL PLATES INCLUDING FIX IT PLATES MUST START ONE INCH APART WITH A ½” BEAD OF WELD ALL THE WAY AROUND EACH PLATE. NO BRIDGE WELDING. ENDS OF WELDS CAN TOUCH BUT NOT OVERLAP. PLATES MUST BE PAINTED REDFOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES. NO internal frame GUSSETTING.. ABSOLUTELY NO ATTACHING OF PLATES TO THE CAGE. PLATES MUST REMAIN IN TACT BUT MAY BE MANIPULATED BY HEATING BENDING TO CONTOUR FRAME. YOU PROVIDE YOUR OWN PLATES. IF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO WELD PLATES AFTER HEAT, LOOSE PLATES MUST BE APPROVED AT TECH. YOU DECIDE WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT ALL ON PRIOR TO HEAT, AFTER HEAT, …. YOUR CHOICE… YOU DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE. PLATES MAY NOT BE MOVED ONCE THEY ARE ATTACHED. WHERE YOU PUT THEM IS WHERE THEY STAY.
AFTER HEATS YOU ARE PERMITTED 10 LOCATIONS OF DOUBLE STRAND NINE WIRE ON CAR. ALL CARS WILL BE GIVEN TWO MORE 4”x4”x1/4” FIX IT PLATES AFTER THE HEAT AS WELL
03 AND NEWER
All 03 and newer cars must use a factory aluminum engine cradle
YOU MAY RUN A DIRECT BOLT HD RACK OR TRUCK RACK BUT MUST DIRECT BOLT WITHOUT ADDING EXTRA BRACKETS OR WELDING.
You may use an approved (by Deadman Derby) bolt in only piece for engine mounting purposes. Smith metal works style is approved. All others must be or approved.
If you are building a weld in style engine mounting system, it may only have a 4”x6”x1/4” flat plate to attach to frame on each side. ONE plate this size on each frame rail, must be mounted only to outside of the frame on the inside of the frame rail. These may not attach to anything else except where they are welded to frame. There may not be anything tying the sides together other than the engine, these two pieces must remain completely separate. No part of these engine mounts may attach anywhere other than where the 4”x6”x1/4” plate welds to frame and where mount attaches to engine. They may not touch anything other than where plate welds to frame and where it touches the engine.
ALL CARS:
When using aftermarket pedals, plates for pedals or battery box may not exceed 20”x20” they may only be attached to the floor with 6-3/8” bolts and no bigger than a 3” round washer under the floor. Must maintain at least a 1” gap between body mount washers and battery box/pedal plate. If seat is not using factory bolts and brackets then it may have no bigger than a 3”x3”x1/4” washer where each bolt goes through the floor.
NO PASSENGERS
‘DRIVETRAIN
1. Any engine and transmission STEEL BELL HOUSINGS, Ultra Bells are permitted. Steel tailshafts ARE PERMITTED. Transmission cooler permitted in cockpit tightly secured.
2. A basic 1/2″ max lower cradle front plate and pulley protector permitted. NO DP, no midplate, no halo, no trans brace. BOP AND MOPAR TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLATES MUST BE PRE APPROVED.
NO HEADER PLATES OR CONNECTING BARS ON CRADLE.
ENGINE HALOS ARE NOW ALLOWED BUT MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA. THIS IS FOR CARBURETOR PROTECTION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED TO STRENGTHEN THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. THE ENGINE HALO MUST ATTACH ONLY TO THE FRONT ENGINE PLATE AND THE FACTORY BOLT HOLES ON THE BACK OF THE ENGINE HEADS. NOTHING WITH THE HALO CAN EXTEND OUTSIDE OF THE HEADERS. HEADER PROTECTORS OFF OF THE HALO ARE PERMITTED. NO PART OF HALO MAY CONTACT FIREWALL. HOLE IN FIREWALL MUST BE WIDER THAN REAR SUPPORTS FOR HALO THIS IS IN NO WAY TO BE USED FOR PRESSURE OR IT WILL BE REMOVED.
*This is for carb protection, if abused it will be removed*
3. Solid motor mounts permitted, mounts may be spaced 1/2″ max to gain clearance of center link. Motor mount plates cannot exceed 8×8” and cannot tie into frame rails. These are for mounting purposes only. Abuse it you lose it
4. Factory rubber transmission mount only. NO SOLID MOUNT. Transmission crossmember may be a max of 2″x 2″ 1/4″ tubing connected to the frame by 1/4″ 4″x 4” angle 6” long. You MAY NOT put the crossmember through the frame in any fashion. ONE CROSSMEMBER PER CAR..
5. Slider driveshaft permitted
6. Any 5 or 8 lug rear
Nothing with bracing may attach to the package tray or body. Axel savers and pinion brake permitted. REAR END BRACING CANNOT STRENGTHEN THE CAR IN ANY FASHION. THIS INCLUDES SETTING IT UP TO STRENGTHEN THE CAR ONCE IT BENDS. No frame bump stops permitted.
7. You do not have to bolt the transmission to crossmember ( however this is the only thing that it could be bolted to) If you desire to not bolt it to the crossmember you may wrap a chain around tail shaft and cross member (one loop, one bolt or you can weld 2 total links to crossmember)
8. ONE CROSSMEMBER PER CAR, THE CROSSMEMBER IS DESIGNED FOR STABILIZING THE TRANSMISSION.
Wheels and Tires
1. ANY TIRE, ANY WHEEL, MUST BE ROUND AND RUBBER
3. Wheels may be spaced 1/2″ with additional center.
4. No external rubbers on the outside of the tire.
Bumpers
1.Both front and back bumpers may be any loaded bumper. BUMPERS MUST MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS OUTLINED BELOW. BUMPERS MAY BE NO HIGHER THAN 22” AND NO LOWER THAN 14”.
ON ANY BUMPER WITH A SLOPED BOTTOM THE MEASUREMENT WILL BE TAKEN AT THE FRONT MOST PART OF THE BOTTOM OF THE BUMPER.
2. No sharp edges, End caps permitted.
3. May be seam welded
4. HOMEMADE BUMPERS ARE PERMITTED BUT MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS. MUST NOT EXCEED 8″X 8″. IF IT HAS A POINT THE POINT MAY NOT EXTEND MORE THAN 4″ FROM FLAT FRONT OF BUMPER. POINT MUST TAPER OVER 32″.
HOMEMADE POINTIES ARE NOW PERMITTED AT DEADMAN BUT MUST FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS. MAXIMUM OF 14” FLAT BACK TO POINT. ALL REPLICAS ARE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF AN 8” POINT FROM THE FLAT FRONT OF BUMPER NOT MATTER HOW THICK THE BUMPER IS. POINT STILL MUST TAPER OVER 32”. A JIG WILL BE PLACED ON POINTS TO CONFIRM LEGALITY OF BUMPER. POINTS THAT EXCEED THESE PARAMETERS WILL NOT BE RUN. EXAMPLE OF LEGAL POINTY IS ENFORCER FABRICATION WHICH HAVE BEEN PRE APPROVED
BUMPERS MAY NOT BE SLEEVED AROUND FRAME RAIL. BUMPERS MAY NOT BE BUILT BACKWARDS AROUND RAIL. BUMPERS MUST START AT FLUSH MOUNTING POINT ON FRONT OF FRAME AND BE BUILT FORWARD.
Bumper mounting for front and back bumpers
71-76 GM WAGONS– THE REAR BUMPER FROM FACTORY IS ON THE BODY NOT THE FRAME THEREFORE IT MUST REMAIN THIS WAY. IT CANNOT BE RELOCATED TO THE BACK OF THE FRAME. CALL FOR CLARIFICATION FOR BUMPER BRACKET PLATE.
5. Bumper mounting OPTION 1: you may use a 4″ x 12″ x 3/8″ thick plate on outside of frame.
This bumper mounting plate must attach to back of bumper and may extend 12” back the frame. The plate measurement will be taken with straight edge 12” not a contoured 12”. Bumper mounting plate may be positioned on one of the four outside portions of frame. Left right top or bottom.
Option 2: Utilizing and factory bumper shock and brackets. If doing so you lose the 4” x 12” x 3/8” thick plate. Therefore, the shock may be collapsed and welded solid, shock may be welded to bracket, and the bracket may be welded to the frame 12” on top seam, 12” on bottom seam and plug welded. THE 12” WELD RULE STARTS AT THE BACK OF THE BUMPER AND MUST BE CONTINUOUS 12” OF WELD. NO BRACKETS MAY BE LONGER THAN 12” FROM END OF FRAME. FIX IT PLATES CANNOT BE WELDED OVER BRACKETS TO BEAT RULE. BRACKETS CANNOT BE ATTACHED TO FRAME IN ANY FASHION PAST THE FIRST 12” MEASURED FROM BACK OF FRAME. The shocks and brackets may only be placed on frame on the portion of frame facing wheel. The outside side portion of rails.
6. Bumpers may not be lower than 14″s or higher than 22″. Measurement taken from bottom of bumper.
7. Rear bumper mounting: May be mounted directly to the rear frame rail with a 6×6 inch plate
or you may utilize front mounting rules
Suspension
1. Cars do not have to bounce
2. Rear suspension AND FRONT SHOCK may be 1″ all thread. A MAXIMUM OF 4 NUTS WITH A MAXIMUM OF 3 INCH WASHER, NO THICKER THAN ¼” EXCLUDING THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHERE WE WILL ALLOW A MAXIMUM OF 6” PLATE DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE OPENING IN LOWER A ARM.
3. Coils may be welded to the rear and banded to the PACKING TRAY in one spot.
4. NO LEAF SPRING CONVERSIONS and NO SKI OR AFTERMARKET SPRINGS
5. Leaf Sprung Wagons and Sedans: No springs on top of main spring. 9 leafs maximum, 5/16″ maximum thickness, 2″ stair step AND STAGGER, 4 clamps per LEAF PACK. Clamps maximum of 1/4” thickness 2″ max width and bolted with 3/8″ bolts. Leaf packs cannot be on top of the rear. THE FACTORY WRAP STYLE CLAMPS DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR 4 AFTERMARKET CLAMPS. YOU MAY HAVE MAX OF 2 FACTORY STYLE WRAP CLAMPS.
6. Front suspension may be solid. Upper A arm may be contoured to frame and may be welded either with a single pass 4″ bead 1 per side or use a 4″ x 4″ X ¼ ”max flat plate A ARM to frame on each side. (2 per A arm). THE A ARM PLATES MUST TOUCH THE A ARM TO BE ACCEPTED AS AN A ARM PLATE.
7. A Arms may be swapped OEM to OEM. Ball joints MAY BE AFTERMARKET SCREW INS OR OEM SWAPPED AND may be welded in. Big PIN style are approved. Spindles must be OEM style meaning, spindles MUST BE CAST IRON. CAST IRON LIFT SPINDLES ARE OK.
If you are running factory spindles you may add a 6” long by 2” wide piece of ¼” plate to the back of them to reinforce them, if you are running a cast lift spindle you may not add any reinforcement.
8. Front shock can be 1″ all thread. Must be in the factory location.
9. Sway bar must be bolted to the lower arm and utilize factory car brackets on the frame to attach to frame. CANNOT BE WELDED ANYWHERE. MUST BE A FACTORY SWAY BAR
10. **NO HUMP CHAINS, NO EXCEPTIONS INCLUDING PRE RAN CARS
11. Watts link kits are permitted. If using a watts link aftermarket or homemade it must bolt to the package tray utilizing only 1/2″ maximum bolts. You MAY NOT bolt through the package tray to the body. NO WELDING TO PACKAGE TRAY. Watts link uppers must be two separate pieces bolted together. Lowers may be a max of 2″ x 2″ 1/4″ square cut for desired pinion angle and mounted in one fashion. A bracket on the inside of the frame may be welded but lower 2”×2” must bolt to that bracket. LOWER ARM CANNOT BE WELDED IN ANY FASHION.
Upper watts link uppers cannot exceed 8”x8”, lower brackets can be a max of 3”x3” x 3/8” thick and 6 inches long.
12. NO SPINDLE SLEEVES. UPPER BALL JOINT AND LOWER BALL JOINT MUST BE TWO MOVING SEPARATE PARTS.
13. NO BALL JOINT PROTECTORS
14. NOTHING MAY BE WELDED TO THE SIDE OF COIL POCKET
Steering
1. Steering boxes must be mounted at factory location,however you may utilize an aftermarket adapter plate if you prefer to change steering box OEM to OEM between manufacturers
2. TIE RODS MAY BE REINFORCED. Aftermarket tie rodsare permitted both budget and big pin. HEIM JOINTS NOW ALLOWED. BOLT THROUGH HEIM CANNOT BE GREATER THAN 1” DIAMETER AND 3” LONG
3. Aftermarket steering columns permitted. NO STERRING COLUMN BRACING CAN STRENGTHEN THE FIREWALL, BODY OR FRAME IN ANY FASHION
4. Center link must remain factory
5. NO HYDRO STEERING SET UPS
FRAME
CADDYS WITH FACTORY FRAME TAILS PRE 1975 MAY WELD THE TAILS DIRECTLY TO THE CROSSMEMBER
**Y FRAME CARS ( PRE 73 CADDY AND Y FRAME MOPAR FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MAY CLOSE THE Y BUT MUST CALL JACOB GILLIAM FIRST TO FIND OUT HOW IT IS ALLOWED TO BE DONE.
1. NO SEAM WELDING, INCLUDING WHERE FACTORY MISSED.
2. ALL CARS MAY BE TILTED IN ONE SPOT PER SIDE. NO EXCESSIVE WELDS SINGLE PASS ½” BEAD DO NOT PUSH THIS.
3. NO PLATING, NO STUFFING OR PINNING
4. Welding on frame should be limited to, Dig your own grave rule, hardnosing or BUMPER brackets, A Arm securing and watts link, hump plates and spot where car is tilted
5. Rear frame may be dimpled or cut for rolling
6. IF SHORTENING THE FRONT FRAME SECTION, A MINIMUM OF 20” OF FRAME MUST REMAIN. MEASUREMENT TAKEN FROM BOTTOM OF FRONT OF FACTORY COIL POCKET LOCATION TO THE BACK OF THE BUMPER.
– 03 AND NEWER MUST HAVE MINIMUM OF 20” OF FRAME MEASURED FROM FURTHERMOST FORWARD CRADLE MOUNT BUSHING TO BACK OF BUMPER.
7. Coil spring cars may have a 22”x6”x3/8” hump plate, Metric GMs get 30” x 6”x 3/8 hump plate. Plate must be on the outside of frame facing the wheel and must be clear of any rear end bracing. Plate must be located between the body mount immediately in front of the rear arch and the body mount immediately behind the rear arch. We are letting you choose the exact location inside of those parameters.
8.Leaf spring cars may have an 11” hump plate it MUST be centered in the hump
9. No painting or undercoating on frames. No putty.
10. All body mounts may be changed to 5/8″ BOLTS MAX 6” LONG
11. A 1″ MINIMUM space must be maintained at all timesbetween body and frame with exception of core support and firewall. Core support spacer can be a max of 12” and may be welded to the frame in its OEM location. If your car has an OEM position that causes a conflict please call to gain clarification on where we want it located.
THE CRUSH BOX OR FIREWALL MOUNTS MAY BE A MAX OF 2”. This may be achieved utilizing any of the following: solid, OEM , Hockey pucks. Body mounts cannot be welded to frame.
12. Core support spacer may be welded to frame and bottom of core support only. The core support spacer can only run from top of frame to bottom of core support. No sleeving of all thread. FROM THE CORE SUPPORT SPACER TO THE TOP OF THE BUMPER YOU MAY HAVE( 1 PER SIDE)A GUSSET A MAX OF 6” LONG A MAX OF 2”X2” TUBING
IF DUE TO SHORTENING OR IN THE CASE OF CADDIES WHERE A FACTORY BRACKET HOLDS THE CORE SUPPORT MOUNT…… YOUR CORE SUPPORT SPACER MAY BE WELDED TO THE SIDE OF THE FRAME IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BUMPER.
13. Rust repair is limited, ALL MUST BE PRE-APPROVED.
BODY
1. The Driver’s door may be welded solid and you may have full door skin 1/4″ max overlapping no more than 2 inches of seam. No protruding metal or rails outside the driver’s door.
2. All other door seams may be welded in a 5″ on 5″ max of 5”x5” x1/4” flat plate off fashion. Outside seem only
3. Trunk 5″ on 5″ off (5” x 5”x ¼” flat plate max)
4. Trunk may be dished or canoed. A 2″ space must remain from trunk floor to trunk lid.
Measurement will be taken from lowest point of lid and highest point of trunk if beat up.
5. Mandatory: 2 10″ holes one per side of trunk lid for inspection. Holes may be bolted with 3/8″ bolts in 10 spots but must be within 3” of hole
6. Trunk may be tucked
7. Hood: May be secured in 6 Spots. Can be chained or bolted. If bolted you may only do so in the following fashion: Angle 2″ x 2″x 6” long maximum of 5/8” Bolts. 2 bolts per angle max.
NO NINE WIRING HOODS.
FRONT CORE SUPPORT MAY BE USED AS 2 SPOTS UP TO 1″ ALL THREAD. ALL THREAD MAY RUN THROUGH FRAME RAIL if that was the factory oem position of body mount. Example BOP GMs MAX OF 3″ WASHERS.
8. A minimum of 2 12″ holes must be cut. Holes may be bolted with a maximum of 3/8″ bolts and a max total of 16
9. Fenders may be cut and rolled for clearance and welded back together WITH A TOTAL OF 8 1” WELDS or bolted IN a max of 8 times with 3/8″ max bolts.
10. All fenders and body lines may be creased both horizontal and vertical. Be creative.
However, side rear fenders must remain upright in factory location, not beat down
11. Expanded metal Permitted at core support for radiator protection. NO Partial or full radiator protectors.
12. No wedging
13. Speaker Deck may be removed or beat down. No re-welding of the speaker deck in new locations.
14. Roof sign Mandatory for Identification
15. no additional nine wire, banding, chain or cord allowed other than specified.
16. REAR QUARTER PANELS MUST REMAIN UPRIGHT. BOTTOM OF QUARTERS MAY BE ROLLED CREASED BUT CANNOT BE PINNED TOGETHER FUSED TOGETHER ETC. THERE MUST BE AT LEAST AND INCH GAP ON TOP OF FRAME AND ON EACH SIDE FOR US TO PROPERLY INSPECT REAR FRAME RAILS.
Body mounts must be utilized in factory locations. 3 inchmaximum washers. Body bolts may only pass through top side of frame AND ARE LIMITED TO A MAX OF 8” LONG
CAGE
FOR DRIVERS PROTECTION A ¼” PLATE MAY RUN FROM SIDE BAR TO ROCKER AND MAY BE WELDED TO ROCKER BUT CANNOT GO THROUGH ROCKER. THIS PLATE MUST BE BETWEEN A POST AND B POST AND CANNOT BE WITHIN 10” OF DASH BAR. SAME RULE APPLIES FOR EQUIPMENT PROTECTION ON PASSENGER SIDE. ABUSE IT AND LOSE IT.
1. Four point INETERIOR COCKPIT “floating cage” Dash bar, rear seat bar two side rails. In addition to side rails a center bar from rear bar to dash bar. This is an internal cockpit CAGE door skin to door skin and firewall to packing tray is considered the internal cockpit
2. Dash bar must remain 5” from firewall, side bars may not extend past the firewall, no cage components may be past the dash bar with the exception of the side bars. Side bars cannot be angled or turned in, must remain straight. All cage components must remain 5” off of the floor (this includes the transmission tunnel) with the only exception being down bars and tank protector
REAR SEAT BAR CANNOT EXCEED WHERE THE REAR KICK PANEL IS LOCATED
3. Cage may be gusseted at corners. IF SUSPENDING EQUIPMENT OFF OF CAGE THERE MUST BE A 3” GAP TO SHEET METAL.
4. Each car may have two vertical down bars they must be between the front internal door seams and may only attach to the side bars and extend straight down to top of frame. Down bar cannot be tied into body mount in any fashion. Down bar must follow all other cage rules. DOWN BARS AND ALL CAGE MATERIAL MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE INTERNAL COCKPIT OF VEHICHLE
5. A gas tank protector is permitted. No Wider than 32″. Gas tank protectors may be tight to the floor and have two ½” bolts through the packing tray. Tank protector must be centered in the car. TANK PROTECTOR MAY TOUCH BUT CANOT BE SECURED TO REAR WINDOW BAR IN ANY FASHION.
Cars without a packing tray may have a single piece of 2”x2” tubing going straight back to the front of the hump on each side. Floor sheet metal must remain in between the 2”x2” and the frame no welding or bolting of these pieces. No more than a 6” long gusset 2”x2” to gusset these pieces
6. Gas tank protectors may have two diagonal rails to halo or rear seat bar BELOW ROOF LINE.
7. Halo bars recommended. Halo may be bolted to the roof IN 2 SPOTS 1/2” BOLT PER SPOT.
HALO BARS MUST COME OFF OF THE REAR SEAT BAR OR THE SIDE BARS. A MAX OF 6” MATERIAL FOR HALO BAR
8. From halo bar a front bar may be used and can connect to the dash bar and be welded. Front bar may be bolted to roof in two spots. Front window bar can attach to cowl or dash bar but cannot be in front of dash bar
9. Rear window bar. Limit of 2”×2”x1/4″ SQUARE STOCK from halo to speaker deck with a 5”x5″ flat plate on both ends bottom plate must coincide with the 5 on 5 off rule.
10. MAXIMUM DIAMETER OF CAGE MATERIAL IS 6”
Radiators
No water boxes, OEM or Aluminum Rads permitted. You may loop hoses and choose to run without a radiator. However, the piece between the hoses cannot exceed 10”
NO PASSENGERS
For your convenience and ours, please remain within rules. These rules are set to allow for some creativity but not to be abused. If it does not say directly you can do it, It is NOT
PERMITTED.
ABSOLUTELY NO PLASTIC FUEL CELLS. ABSOLUTELY NO OEM OR OEM REPLACEMENT TANKS. MUST BE AN AFTERMARKT PRESSURE TESTED TANK.
If you have questions or concerns please call first. 2 attempts only
drivers. All cars will be on a level playing field. Good luck!
RULES QUESTIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS CALL JACOB GILLIAM 614-315-7468. Please do not call or text after 9 pm eastern time.
AS A BACK UP, YOU MAY CALL TJ MCCULLOUGH AT 301-707-6870.