1967 k member upgrades (idler)
Here's my 2 cents.............
1) I wouldn't fix the '71 crappy K-Member, i would carefully harvest the mount then re and re it on your '67 member.
Measure lots and it will be in the right place.
2) Yes, definitely weld all seams. The factory welds are lousy and the more strength you can put in it the better.
3) Yes, especially near the mounting holes.........build some gussets and weld them in as well as reweld the factory welds near the area.
I might add, it is a good idea to weld up the area where the small tube goes through the member and the lower control arm bolts to it especially on the torsion bar side. Maybe even weld a big washer that fits over the hole to strengthen the area.
This is a common failure point on a lot of these cars...........
I posted these pics of what i did, the welds don't look as great as i wanted, but i used a mig after sand blasting and there was a lot of dirt/grime in the pores of the factory welds that i couldn't get out, but it is much better than factory.
I would have liked to do them with stick welding, but this is all i had available at the time...........
Of course, keep in mind that this is a spool mount '73 and up K-Member for my '74 Dart Sport and the motor mounts are different than yours obviously, but the rest is very similar if not the same as on older ones.
Here's my 2 cents.............
1) I wouldn't fix the '71 crappy K-Member, i would carefully harvest the mount then re and re it on your '67 member.
Measure lots and it will be in the right place.
2) Yes, definitely weld all seams. The factory welds are lousy and the more strength you can put in it the better.
3) Yes, especially near the mounting holes.........build some gussets and weld them in as well as reweld the factory welds near the area.
I might add, it is a good idea to weld up the area where the small tube goes through the member and the lower control arm bolts to it especially on the torsion bar side. Maybe even weld a big washer that fits over the hole to strengthen the area.
This is a common failure point on a lot of these cars...........
I posted these pics of what i did, the welds don't look as great as i wanted, but i used a mig after sand blasting and there was a lot of dirt/grime in the pores of the factory welds that i couldn't get out, but it is much better than factory.
I would have liked to do them with stick welding, but this is all i had available at the time...........
Of course, keep in mind that this is a spool mount '73 and up K-Member for my '74 Dart Sport and the motor mounts are different than yours obviously, but the rest is very similar if not the same as on older ones.
