should i box my frame?

[Silent viewer]

right now i have the new frame for my regal sitting under the body that is floating 3 1/2 feet above it on boards. i have been pondering the thought of boxing the frame but i am not sure i am going to benifit from it. the car has a full fbss air ride setup so i was thinking that might be reason to do it or maybe not do it? also i am not sure if my welder can handle it, i think it can, its a 135 amp snap on mig.... also does anyone know the gauge of the metal on a frame? i saw a deal on ebay for 2 pre bended pieces of metal to do this but they want 75 bucks for them plus shipping, i was thinking i could go to the local sheet metal place and get them much cheaper?? steel does not cost that much and i bet they would bend them for me also. any thoughts?? if i am going to do it this is the time to do it! the frame before it goes back under the car is going to be entirely painted body colored, new 3.42 posi rear with 1LE rear discs installed, front s10 dual piston brakes and spindles, the whole air ride setup installed again, the thick f41 sway bars, new ball joints, tie rods, center link. basically the frame is not going to go back under it unless its done the way i want it done!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, now is the time to do it. If you intend to drive the car hard, or put a lot of power through it, it is a good idea to box it. I would box mine if I could do it myself.

 

[Silent viewer]

i need to see if the sheet metal shop can bend the metal for me, if they can do it i see no reason not to.... just need some encouragement i guess! i need to figure out how to make sure the frame is all level before i weld it in

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

You will need to be sure to leave a window in the metal to put the center frame mount bushing to be installed. As for bending it, why not just use a straight piece, or would it hit the floor in places?

 

[Silent viewer]

i may be able to use flat steel. heres what i was thinking of

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EL-CAMIN ... 0243850221

 

[Rockstar]

You dont need to have it bent like that you could just use a flat piece of steel and lay it flush on the frame then weld it top and bottom. Thats how im doing mine. I do like the cross brace with the exaust cutouts, thats a nice touch.

 

[Silent viewer]

i emailed the guy about that support with the exhaust cut outs and he told me that he is not offering them but if he does they will be in the 400 dollar range! thats allot! i could make one my self pretty easy. i am going to see what i can figure out tonight.

 

[Rockstar]

Yeah thats a bit extreme, shouldnt be too much involved in making one yourself. I have an idea for mine but im not on my computer, when i get home ill post a pic of what i want to do.

 

[andrewmp6]

Yes box it id forget that cross member he has that much you can build your own x in the middle of it like most art morrison frames have.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Plus, the X brace would do more than that crossmember in the center. It would resist torsional flex by keeping the diagonals an identical distance apart, something a simple straight across crossmember can's do. I just wonder if there is sufficient space under the car to fit an X brace while still maintaining ample ground clearance for the exhaust, and allowing full articulation of the driveshaft. I guess you could eliminate the trans crossmember, and use the X brace to mount it instead. Maybe you could put a crossmember between the legs of the X and make an "A" so that it would be easy to service. I really need to get under my car one day and figure out how to go about this. I want more chassis stiffness so that I can trade off an increase in torsional rigidity with softer springs so that I can have my great handling without sacrificing ride comfort.