boxing in the frame project

[85olds]

starting the fun of boxing in the new to me southern frame and strengthening all the weak points. any advice on this job would be greatly appreciated.
I will be removing the trany cross member mounting brackets on both sides and going all the way from front to back of the c channel then rewelding the pass side back on ( my trany cross member only uses the front driver side mounting location and the pass side ) drivers rear not needed.

the car is a daily driver........but I drive it like I stole it!!!! last winters supercharger install has some serious consequences wail driving this summer the weak "c" channel frame is starting to look like the ocean with all the ripples (last year is was perfectly straight) sorry no pictures to prove it (never thought I would need them lol) first indication there is a problem was at the track when I noticed the steering wheel was starting to go off center after a couple passes.

 

[85olds]

Re: boxing in the frame

new to me frame with some body mount holes repaired and lower control arm reinforcement's added

 

[85olds]

Re: boxing in the frame

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: boxing in the frame

When I repaired the body bushing holes I used 14 gauge metal, cut the hole in the piece to weld onto the frame and used the cut circle for welded on washers at each location on the frame for the suspension control arms. When you box the c section I suggest you tack weld braces from one c channel to the other cause those sections will tend to bow out and your'll have a difficult time to get the body back on. I found that out the hard way. Also when you box the c sections don't foget to have an access hole for the center body bushing

 

[85olds]

Re: boxing in the frame

I was worried about the c channel bowing so I bought 5 lengths of 3/4 square tube and was thinking of putting some on top and some on the bottom. Did you do anything with the front control arm mounts?? And the rear upper mounts? Or just washer them?

The steel I got for everything is ( .100")

Access hole (thanks) I must remember that!!

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: boxing in the frame

I just used the washers for the front control arm locations. This winter I'm cutting off the top mount so I can change the mount and locations to use equal length uppers like what we use on the LM. They have roller bearings and are cheaper than aftermarket street uppers. I upgraded the factory welds on the frame as well. For bracing the c channel I think you'll be ok with one brace in the middle of the c sections. I didn't even think of a brace but it didn't bow out too bad It was a bit of a struggle to pull them back in with straps which wouldn't have been needed if I braced it

 

[85olds]

Re: boxing in the frame

Great tip for the washers...( I love the plasma cutter) I can make the washers any shape.

The factory welds do suck....i think when they welded this frame there was a wire shortage..lol

I was looking in to the tubular a arms....do you happen to have the website for the ones you are looking at?

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: boxing in the frame

the factory that welded these frames did a terrible job and like you I almost redid the whole frame. As for the tubulars this afco is the similar to what I'll be using...

 

[85olds]

did some pickup welds on the bottom of the frame, and time to flip it back over and work on the top

 

[85olds]

Over the weekend got all the pick up welds done and today got some epoxy primer on it for now, the bare steel was rusting up within a week,and the weather forecast says rain for the next 4 days