Frame Connectors & Ball & Trunion, ?s

['64 Cuda]

I have a couple of questions & figured I'd throw them out here.

Do bolt in frame connectors fit all A bodies? Is there a difference on the early cars? I found a set for sale but have no way to check for fit on my car & the guy who has them has had them so long that all he really remembers now is that they're for an A body. Also, do the "Bolt-In" bars really just bolt in? I know I've seen where some people modify the floor & weld them in.

Next question. MY car is a '64 & has a Ball & Trunion front U joint. Are they strong enough for a fairly stout small block with a 4 speed? I checked with a trans shop & it would cost a bunch to convert my trans to a normal U joint but it can be done. Should I do it, or just run a driveshaft loop & wait till something breaks?


:burnout:

 

[demon seed]

The only way to know is to actually check the fit to the subframes. I use them on my 71 and I would recommend that you have them welded in. The ones I use just connect forward and rear subframe rails and are installed on the underside so there is "no" cutting of the floor involved.

Also, if you go to moparts.com, click on moparts web board, click questions and answers, go to page 6 or 7, look for frame connectors for street cars. There are some photos within that discussion and some wind is being broken but you'll get the idea.

 

['64 Cuda]

Do I lose ground clearence? I have fenderwell headers. Would I have to run pipes under the connectors to go to the rear? How far forward to the connectors actually come?


:burnout:

 

[demon seed]

refer to the editted reply before this. I'm probably going to get into trouble directing you to a competitors website uker: but it's the only place that I've seen pictures of the connectors.

 

['64 Cuda]

THANKS! That's the kind of info I was looking for. Now, anybody know anything about the U joint?




:burnout:

 

[dusterdon]

I got frame connectors for my duster from Auto Rust Technicians. They supposedly make them specifically for each car. I used the 2" x 2" and they fit really well. Do not buy bolt-ins unless you are going to weld them in also.

don

 

[65s]

The ball and trunion U-joint works, but it's a problem because it's hard to find parts for it. I personally have not converted my '65 Barracuda yet, but that's only because my local parts guy found an NOS U-joint kit and I had it installed, before I knew it was a problematic thing. Last year I went to get my driveshaft balanced and ran into a bigger problem, the only place that balances driveshafts couldn't do it because they no longer had the jig to hold a ball and trunion style joint! I had to drive 2 hours away into the US to get my shaft balanced!

The Early Valiant and Barracuda club website, http://www.earlycuda.org has instructions for doing the conversion to a spicer style joint, and I don't believe it's that big of a deal...many of the members over there have done it. Check here, http://www.earlycuda.org/tech/ujoint.htm

I plan to do it in the future, probably when I change my rear end and driveshaft.