Installing subframe connectors

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mopardude318 said:
Nice clean 70 dart you have there.
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Thanks! Here are a few more pics. All original, other than the drive train. Planning to replace the RV 440 with a 451 in the spring.
 
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Enjoyed your thread, it is the way I would like it done. What length did you come up with for the pipe (crush sleeve) you used inside of the frame?
 
About 2 1/2 " I think. One may have been 1/8 shorter. The frame back there had hit a rock or a curb a few times, and was a little bent out of shape.
 
Jadaharabi said:
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How does it drive now?
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I only have the drivers side connector put in so far. I'm going out of town for a week, then will do the passenger side. That should be a little quicker, as now I have an idea of how to do it.
 
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Nice thread and work! There are not very many places to get info on how to do this. Also so many ways to do it. I am in the process now of installing connectors on my 72 Demon. Getting a little more into it and learning ALOT! 2"x3" 1/8" thick tubing. I am not a fabricator or a welder, so I am learning as I go. I have made some mistakes for sure. If I knew how to post pics on here I would. Once again, Great thread and work!
 
4geardemon said:
Nice thread and work! There are not very many places to get info on how to do this. Also so many ways to do it. I am in the process now of installing connectors on my 72 Demon. Getting a little more into it and learning ALOT! 2"x3" 1/8" thick tubing. I am not a fabricator or a welder, so I am learning as I go. I have made some mistakes for sure. If I knew how to post pics on here I would. Once again, Great thread and work!
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Are you welding yours in? I think that would be easier and faster. Getting the bolt holes drilled is difficult in some spots. Had to mark the hole, and use a die grinder to make the hole where the drill wouldn't fit. What kind of welder do you have, 4gear?
 
Garys72Duster said:
Are you welding yours in? I think that would be easier and faster. Getting the bolt holes drilled is difficult in some spots. Had to mark the hole, and use a die grinder to make the hole where the drill wouldn't fit. What kind of welder do you have, 4gear?
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Yes I am welding mine in. I have a Hobart 140 welder. I am actually cutting the floor open and running the 2x3 tubing inside the rear frame rail. Also installing cross pieces for extra seat bracing. I have one side done at the moment. Can already tell how much it has stiffened the car up. Just by shutting the door. The driver side is about ready to be burned into place. I also have some floor pan replacing to take care of. Tons of pin holes. So once the connector is welded to the frame. I will cut the pans out and fab new up. I am fortunate enough that my cousin has the tooling to make a mirror of the stock pan.

This is extreme overkill for my car but maybe some day I’ll want to get crazy with it. Current setup is a mild 440 4 speed with 3.91s. Best ET is 13.07@103. No connectors, drag radials, and stock springs.
 
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Had to re locate the parking brake cable, as the dr side connector goes where the old passage was. The front side gets a 3/4" inch hole so the retainer can fit thru, the back gets a 7/16 hole so the cable retainer can sit against the frame.
 
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Well all done with this part of the car upgrade. Tomorrow the test drive! Definitely can tell that the entire chassis is stiffer. When I wiggle the rear trunk area back and forth at the tail lite, with it on jack stands, it won't hardly move now.
 
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Gary,
Great write up that I bookmarked for later. Now, this rookie is getting ready to copy this on my car ('75 Scamp/Valiant Brougham, 318 for now). But while I was working underneath my car I noticed my driver's side is not flat like your pic #1. My crossmember on that side is humped, for the lack of a better word (from the factory). From your pics, it looks like that is right where I attach the drivers side front. I thought I could just move the e-brake cable like you described and be done. I haven't bought the connectors yet, so now I'm wondering how do I get around this? I'm not a welder, I was going to bolt these on and then get someone to weld them when I get the car on the road? Any help would be appreciated. Some pics of mine.
Thanks,
Woody

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