Frame Rail Connectors

momoparman said

I am about to install some frame rail connectors on our 69 vert barracuda and wanted to see if I could get some input on the installation.

I have the car up on some body supports and the doors and panels are all lined up perfectly. I dont want to load the chassis with suspension. motor and trans for fear of losing my lines. Can I install them with it up on the supports?

If so what should I do other than making sure the car is level before I do so?

Thanks for the input.

Mop

Click to expand...

First off, that paint looks gorgeous. Great job on the body work!

As for the frame connectors...
It really depends how the body supports were constructed. Are all of the supports the exact same height? Are they tied to the frame where the suspension would be applying a load? The back supports look like they may work fine, but unless you have the load on the torsion bar mounts and the weight pushing up where the k-frame bolts, it will be tough to duplicate.

If one or two of the supports is off height-wise, it would apply a torsional stress on the unibody and knock the subframes out of alignment. This will become evident if you weld frame connectors in and then install your suspension afterward. The suspension will most likely apply stress to the body at different focal points, and you may end up losing the body lines even with the frame connectors.

I totally understand not waiting to lose the body lines, but i would personally bolt the suspension in before the welding the frame connectors in. If nothing else, I would at least ensure that all of the body supports are the same height. This will at least get the car relatively "square" before you start welding the frame connectors in. Then you can re-align body panels as needed (if needed).

-Mike