What did you do for chassis stiffening?

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gliderider06

gliderider06

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As the title asks, what did you do to stiffen your car? Frame connectors, core support, torque boxes, front frame braces? Did you make them or buy kits like the us car tool stuff? I'm just getting ideas for my Duster and would like to hear and see what you share.
I'm toying with making frame connectors, and thought about the core support as well and want to educate myself and see what you all have done.
 
subframe connectors are totally worth it, just at a minimum to tie the subframes together. from back leaf support to torsion bar crossmember. Make sure your jackstands are even before you weld in to prevent a tweak. your chassis has some nice products already made, ie. full profile subframe connectors.
 
I have only done frame connectors. Not sure what the intention of the car is, but that will determine needs. US CAR Tool has a whole stiffening section on their site.
 
I would think torque boxes and sub frame ties would be great for any car regardless of how it's used. Now if you're going to carve some corners, the rest of the package would be a huge benefit.
 
gliderider06 said:
I'm toying with making frame connectors
Click to expand...

Nice and easy, inexpensive as well.

I made a set for around 35 bucks, a little cutting, welding and done.

What a noticeable difference with them in. I noticed as soon as I backed out of the garage onto the street.
 
Ditto Bad Sport. Fabbed a set of subframe connectors for the Duster, $36 in material. Noticed a marked improvement when driving around. I have a pretty large curb at the end of my drive that caused the old girl to groan and squeak, the connectors fixed that!

Pat
 
Frame connectors and a full cage. All homemade.
I can lift both tires on one side off the ground and still open the door....

My chassis guy wants me to box in the torque box area but kinda over chassis work.

Just wanna drive the car.
 
Bad Sport said:
Nice and easy, inexpensive as well.

I made a set for around 35 bucks, a little cutting, welding and done.

What a noticeable difference with them in. I noticed as soon as I backed out of the garage onto the street.
Click to expand...

I plan on 2x3 stock and make them myself as well. I am also toying with making a new core support, from the tubing as well.
 
I have done both store bought and home made frame connectors. Both very worthwhile. You can tell the difference the first time you close the door. I put a set of US Cartools connectors under my 64 Barracuda and made a set from rectangular tubing for my buddies 65 Barracuda. I like the look of the USCartools connectors but I think if you rode in them both blindfolded you could not differentiate the ride of one versus the other. Then I made front and rear torque boxes for mine. They provided additional rigidity but it wasn't as noticable of a difference as frame connectors. I haven't installed torque boxes on my buddies car yet and I' m pretty sure that most any passenger could notice the difference between our cars and am almost positive a driver would immediately notice the reduced flex of my car with torque boxes. The cars have identical suspension updates and very similar wheels and tires.
 
Firm feel front tubular sway bar 1 /8" and their tubular upper control arms. That coupled with the frame connectors, inner fender supports, and torque boxes from US Car Tool have made my Cuda handle like a dream. I also have the firm feel stage 3 power steering gear box. Had the car for 36yrs and it's a blast to drive now. Little sway around bends and such. Couple that with the hydro boost braking system and I'm in heaven.
 
Sub frame connectors, Firm Feel reinforced 73 "K" Frame, and front and rear torque boxes on the 67 Cuda. All factory on the 66 and 68 Formula S. They all handle very nice.
 
I went with USCT pieces. All but the mini-tub/spring relocation. I did the mini-tubs with a strip of metal and got the PST relocation boxes, which were like half the price. I also got the radiator support. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s a touch wide for the edge of my inners to seat how I want, and some other mods to get it plumb
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Sub-frame connectors in 2"x3"x .120" wall . Bought a length (25') for $35.00 , had them cut it in half so I could get it home . TIG welded in . I also had a 6 point rollbar installed . chrome moly with swing out door bars . I did this after my best friend rolled his Coronet over 4 times , hit the barrier and caught fire . The roll bar was installed a month before the wreck . Every panel was destroyed but he walked away . Enough said .
 
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