Finally, found front GP brace but.....

[malibu80]

I finally decided to install the rest of the braces on my 83 Malibu. The 2 long ones that tie the front cowl area to the front rad support, and the ones in front of the rad. The only ones really missing was the GP brace that tied both frame rails together and something to tie the rear frame rails together. Decided to make my own. On the way home from buying the steel stock, I decided to drop into the wrecking yard and to my amazement there was a T-top GP in the yard. Seeing the T-tops I knew chances that the car was equipped with the elusive front brace. Turned out it did and I bought the thing. Now the bad news. When I tried to install it, there was no way it was going to work with the other F41 bars. Oh well, back to plan A. Make my own.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

It will work with the other bars...a member of the site...shotgun... has done it. Here's a pic of his...

He's got a thread on here about it.

 

[Longroof79]

It will work with the jounce bars. I have them on my car. I used spacers( or washers) between the the GP brace and jounce bars where it bolts up.
You will also need longer bolts to accomodate the shims.

 

[Blake442]

You can also pound the ends of the jounce bars flat so that it sits flush.

 

[malibu80]

Thanks for the replies. I thought about using longer bolts with spacers but for me it doesnt look right. I also thought about flattening out the jounce bar ends. I think what will look the best is to weld a piece across the jounce bars tying them together.

 

[malibu80]

Finally got around to welding a piece across and tying the jounce bars together. In addition tied the rear frame rails together with some square tubing. After test driving doing some hard corning, I would say the car feels tighter now.

 

[outsider_27]

Do you still have the one you bought from the wrecking yard? If so I'd be interested in buying it from you. Been looking for one of these.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Finally got around to welding a piece across and tying the jounce bars together. In addition tied the rear frame rails together with some square tubing. After test driving doing some hard corning, I would say the car feels tighter now.

I went the same route. I made a custom front and rear frame rail bar. I made a post around here somewhere with links to pictures if you want to check it out.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Do you still have the one you bought from the wrecking yard? If so I'd be interested in buying it from you. Been looking for one of these.

My bad about not getting back to you. I went to look for the car that had it but it was gone.