final suspension input needed

[Rktpwrd]

565, I don't see the factory fuel tank in your photo...
That may be a pretty big detail to leave out when providing guidance to Geo as the stock tank may not fit with those bars in place. I assume you're running a fuel cell in the trunk, but he may have designs on keeping the stock tank.
Just thought I'd mention that to the two of you before anything gets welded in permanent and there's a "d'oh!" moment.

 

[565bbchevy]

The picture may be deceiving but neither bar effects having a stock gas tank, the rear one would sit behind the tank and actually help protect it and the front bar is about an inch past and above the strap mounts that extend beyond the trunk floor.
Since he has the body off he can go higher in the arch than I did on mine for the front bar..

 

[Geo's66]

Hey thanks guys--- rsp, approx how many inches from the rear frame tips do I weld that bar in? Enclosed a pic too- keeping all so ill do a build thread later

 

[Geo's66]

 

[Geo's66]

Another question- who's the recommended gas/brake line vendor for us to use? Should I alsoorder the larger 3/8 fuel tubing as well?

 

[ssn696]

Yes, get the bigger fuel line. And consider adding an EFI return line like the 87 Monte Carlo uses - just in case you ever want to go that route in the future. You'll never have this kind of access again.

I had good luck with Inline Tube in Michigan.

 

[Geo's66]

Great idea, assuming the stainless too, correct? Also, in addition to guys recommendations on control arms, etc, I will weld in some bracing for the control arm supports as well. Have you guys gone about the frame and re-welded factory welds? If so, how did you determine which ones to do? Did you grind out the old ones or just somehow hit them again? No clue on this topic. Hrpartsnstuff seem to have nice braces to weld in, I've read.

 

[565bbchevy]

Yes, get the bigger fuel line. And consider adding an EFI return line like the 87 Monte Carlo uses - just in case you ever want to go that route in the future. You'll never have this kind of access again.

I had good luck with Inline Tube in Michigan.

X2 I have always heard good things about Inline Tube they are about 20 minutes away from me in Shelby Twp if I was doing a frame off on my Regal I would definitely go this route and of coarse get their stainless steel lines.

 

[ssn696]

I'd box the frame rails under the passenger compartment. There was a post a while back - a Forum member found a set of pre-cut plates. You could also fab them yourself. The hard part is making sure nothing conflicts with putting the body back on, and of course you'll need to reroute your brake and fuel lines. Add about 20 pounds of metal and your will considerably stiffen the car overall.

 

[Rktpwrd]

Have you guys gone about the frame and re-welded factory welds? If so, how did you determine which ones to do? Did you grind out the old ones or just somehow hit them again?

I would carefully inspect and reweld any factory seam that looks questionable or suspect. When doing mine, I found that many of the factory seams had poor penetration and lots of porosity. If you have a section that needs to be re-welded, grind and dig out that area by any means you have, get it down to clean shiny metal, and burn in a new bead. Dress down the top of the weld, and it should closely match the factory one again.
This is an extreme example of the porosity and poor welds you want to look for and fix.

You might find more ideas and examples in the frame section of my build thread.
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/the-juggernaut-build-thread.55095/page-5