K frame build up revisited

Princess Valiant · Apr 20, 2022

So I can remember talk on this site about building up and reinforcing k frames.

I'm currently preparing the k frame for the lada valiant build.

Where are the points to weld and possibly add gussets? This is not a k frame for a race car but I want to make sure it lasts a very long road life.

I'm thinking gussets on the lower control arm sleeves and clean up finish weld all the factory welds

Rat Bastid · Apr 20, 2022

I weld all the seams plus the reinforcement stuff. It makes a big difference.

67Dart273 · Apr 20, 2022

Jim Lusk has some YouTube vids on some of this

https://www.youtube.com/user/1968GTSJimLusk/videos

JoePole1 · Apr 20, 2022

Just did mine last week but the pics here are better than mine.

For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum

pomonamissel · Apr 20, 2022

this is one i did using firm feel brackets n braces , i even seam welded all around the spot welded area , it was also modified for the aftermarket big block mounts

JoePole1 · Apr 20, 2022

JoePole1 said:
Just did mine last week but the pics here are better than mine.

For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum

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K frame build up revisited

A56 · Apr 20, 2022

I believe someone touch on this for you back a few years ago. Mopar Discussions Gussets

Jim Lusk · Apr 20, 2022

Weld the seams and cut open the bottom below the LCA pin tubes and weld them on the inside. The FF kit sucks.

mvh · Apr 20, 2022

The Firm Feel web site used to have good photos showing all the welds and gussets.

MoparMike1974 · Apr 20, 2022

I just did one for my 71 cuda. I weld all the seams and then smooth everything down. Next is to grind out most of the existing welds on the K frame and reweld it. I dont know why these K frame welds were so porous from the factory. Its like they were mig welding with no gas or welding dirty metal.
The A body K has reinforcement plates where the LCA pin goes in. For some reason the E body did not have these plates so I add them.
I burn off all the grease with a propane weed burner then sandblast before doing anything. If you dont do this you will have problems welding because of the grease between the seams.

JDMopar · Apr 20, 2022

It might be a good idea to clamp it or bolt it down to something flat and level before welding it, so it doesn't warp. You can't find a place that will hot tank them anymore, so I'd thought about at least taking mine to get it baked and shot blasted before welding on it to get as much old grease gone as possible.

moparmat2000 · Apr 20, 2022

Make something like this to bolt it to. So you could seam weld it without it wanting to twist.

RustyRatRod · Apr 20, 2022

"Very long road life" I have to point out that it's done fairly well this far.

halfafish · Apr 21, 2022

I'm not sure this will help or not, but I have photos of the Firm Feel kit pieces. I'm local to them and bought the kit. I had them show me where all the pieces went using a k-frame they had on a shelf. Sadly, this was all so long ago I can't recall much more than that but here are the pictures.

moparmat2000 · Apr 21, 2022

That all looks about right for an early A

Seandavid55 · Aug 7, 2022

Worth boxing in the cut out for the oil pump? I have a piece of channel that will fit in there with a bit of fitting. Thanks.

JoePole1 · Aug 7, 2022

Seandavid55 said:
Worth boxing in the cut out for the oil pump? I have a piece of channel that will fit in there with a bit of fitting. Thanks.

View attachment 1715966786

I would. Plus add/clean-up factory welds.