Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
I decided to try fabricating a set of subframe connectors from 2x2 box. First I thought I would mock them up with a wooden 2x3 to get the dimensions correct. In the front, I was thinking of welding them to the brackets that the subframe is bolted to, instead of the subframe itself.
Here is a shot of the passenger side. Front of the car is to the left. I'll probably have to do something creative on the driver's side because there will be interference with the emergency brake cable.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
After sleeping on it, it occurred to me that maybe I should make the pie cut on a greater angle, then another opposite pie cut (like a Z-bend). Then the front part of the box would be parallel to the floorpan and I could weld it to the floorpan crossbraces for added stiffness. The crossbraces would probably have to be trimmed a bit to fit. Would it be worth the extra effort?
Joined: Wed Nov 17 2010, 03:28PM
Location: florida
Posts: 1311
heres a shot of how i did mine.not pretty but functional.i used the subframe bolts to keep the front removable in case i ever have to drop subfame again
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
dacuda wrote ...
heres a shot of how i did mine.not pretty but functional.i used the subframe bolts to keep the front removable in case i ever have to drop subfame again
.
Interesting, thanks for posting those. Looks like you brought yours inboard towards the driveshaft tunnel to clear the floorpan crossbracing and presumably make them parallel to the rear subframe. Mine will wind-up on a bit of an angle from front to back.
I see you made an end plate for the front to bolt the bar into place. I was going to weld the front of the bar directly to the bracket that attaches the front subframe, which should still allow the subframe to be removable if necessary. Wondering if that bracket is heavy enough steel, but it probably is fine. There may not be enough room to do a good weld on the top of the box in that section though, only the sides and bottom. (My original brackets were pretty badly rusted, but they were replaced with good ones while the front subframe was out. Otherwise I'd be making an end plate for sure.)
Do you have any pics of the back of your connectors? I'd like to see how you tied them into the rear subframe.
gregcon wrote ...
I'd use a good hardwood like hickory or ash, and at least 4 coats of spar urethane.
Spar urethane? I don't know if I'd bother finishing them that nicely. These are going on the underside of the hull, not on the deck. I'm having a heck of a time finding welding rod for wood too.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
Okay, here's my second attempt. I like this better. I'll be able to weld it into the floorpan cross-bracing. On the driver's side (not pictured) it looks like there won't be interference with the emergency brake cable.