Homemade frame connectors

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Magster65

Magster65

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Just finished up my frame connectors. Thought I'd share the results with those of you thinking about doing your own... go for it! All done cost about $40 and a days work... and $25 for beer (that my 'helpers' drank while I worked... haha)!

I opted for 1.5" x 3" x .125 stock.
connectors1.jpg


.125 on the spring mount support too
connectors2.jpg


1.5" angle on the front to weld around. Tapered the tops in to clear the e-brake cable.
connectors3.jpg


To be safe I pulled the seats and carpets out but the floor never really got that hot.
weldframe.jpeg
 
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just like my DIY's. I like the fact that they (rectangle tube) dont disturb the floors like others. Nice. cost about the same short of beer money.
 
Frame ties like these do more than just stopping car flex. If only frame ties like the ones installed above would have been on this car. I say all everyday drivers should have them.

These pictures were taken after the roof and doors were cut open and the car spread apart a little to remove their bodies. The drivers foot was still wrapped up in the floor. Frame ties may have helped the passenger.

I always post these pictures to show how dangerous these cars are and how important adding any type of strengthening supports are.

The ties made above are about the best I've seen to prevent this type of carnage. Rectangle tubes laid flat. Great idea!

demon 1.jpg


demon 2.jpg


demon 3.jpg


Picture 006.jpg


Picture.jpg
 
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My phone usually takes better pictures... sorry about these crappy ones. I'll try and get better ones when I add the last brace; from the front of the leaf spring mount (where the torque box would be) back to the main rail.
connectors4.jpg
 
Looks good. I installed some just like this on my convertible awhile back. It definitely took the twist out of the car.
 
man, looks like a train hit that Demon! Hope the guy survived. My friends Sable got T-boned from a drunk and was about half as bad but he still drove it for a week. No big injuries, sprained left arm.
 
Oldmanmopar said:
Frame ties like these do more than just stopping car flex. If only frame ties like the ones installed above would have been on this car. I say all everyday drivers should have them.

These pictures were taken after the roof and doors were cut open and the car spread apart a little to remove their bodies. The drivers foot was still wrapped up in the floor. Frame ties may have helped the passenger.

I always post these pictures to show how dangerous these cars are and how important adding any type of strengthening supports are.

The ties made above are about the best I've seen to prevent this type of carnage. Rectangle tubes laid flat. Great idea!

View attachment 1715170732

View attachment 1715170733

View attachment 1715170734

View attachment 1715170735

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Sad pictures. RIP to those people.
Regarding the material. I have some 2"x2" .083 at the shop too. I elected not to use that because mainly because of the floor interference but noteworthy also is the 2"x2", one end in the vice and a pipe wrench on the other, you can twist it by hand. It probably doesn't matter much once it's all welded in place but those were my reasons.
The biggest bugger for this project was that somewhere early in the cars life, someone had it undercoated. It may have saved the car I guess but it looks like crap and what a bugger to deal with! For nice welds metal prep is key and this stuff did not want to come off! We ended up scraping it cold (heat made it stickier)... brake clean, wire brush, rags... etc, no easy way out of that task. Most of the job was prep work.
 
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Looks great! This makes sense if you ever need to replace part of your floor in the future.
 
mbaird said:
That was a well optioned Demon !
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It was a GSS one of 50 I was the second owner and I raced it in the 70's . I bought it from Charlie Chips company they got it right from Grand Spaulding Dodge through a magazine advertisement .

I sold it to this guy 33 years ago when my son was born. His 17 yr old son and friend lasted about 45 mins in the car. I towed the car from the scene The driver was killed instantly. The passenger paralyzed from the neck down. It was a bench seat car I added the 72 interior and hood. it ran low 11's.

It was ashame for the car but more for the Kids. the Father was only concerned about what he could save from the car. He bought a 72 Challenger Ralley from me and put some of the parts in it. I just sold the Steering wheel off that car last week . You can see it in the for sale add I posted missing the rubber off the one spoke.
 
Oldmanmopar said:
It was a GSS one of 50 I was the second owner and I raced it in the 70's . I bought it from Charlie Chips company they got it right from Grand Spaulding Dodge through a magazine advertisement .

I sold it to this guy 33 years ago when my son was born. His 17 yr old son and friend lasted about 45 mins in the car. I towed the car from the scene The driver was killed instantly. The passenger paralyzed from the neck down. It was a bench seat car I added the 72 interior and hood. it ran low 11's.

It was ashame for the car but more for the Kids. the Father was only concerned about what he could save from the car. He bought a 72 Challenger Ralley from me and put some of the parts in it. I just sold the Steering wheel off that car last week . You can see it in the for sale add I posted missing the rubber off the one spoke.
Click to expand...

It's one of the things that scares me a little as my son approaches driving age. He loves the 'hot rod' cars that we put together... and at some point be out with his buddy in one. I just hope he keeps his senses when he hits the throttle.
 
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