Frame connectors US Cartool need help.

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cuda67

cuda67

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I ordered the frame connectors this friday, for the Barracuda. All I have to do is find someone to weld them on. I know zip about welding and I don't have a welder. What I need to know is what type of business should I take it to and how will I know if they are done right? Is there a proper way to do this or is it simply. raise the car, put the frame connectors from front to back and then weld? Are there any concerns as to angle, being level? I need help.
 
First, I'm no expert but here is what I heard. The car should be as driven, in other words all 4 wheels on the ground or on a lift the wheels rest on. I was going to weld mine on the uni-body but was told to wait till it was completely built so it was in it's "drivable configuration".

A good welding shop should be able to handle the job for you.

Jim
 
I agree with the above post, definitely since your car is a convertible and prone to body flex. It is best to have it sitting on the wheels. If they do put it up on stands it sould be supported at the rear axel and front lca's to simulate a wheel load. They would also need to be sure the stands are at the same height. The last thing you want is to find out the door doesn't close properly after having them installed.
 
Thanks for the information. I think I can find some one to do it. I appreciate the info, on having the car with the weight on the tires. Thanks again.:wav:
 
On Chop, Cut & Rebuild they are doing a Cuda for Goodmark. The program I watched over the weekend had a segment on installing frame connectors. It appeared they did it on a lift supported under the frame rails without the car in drivable configuration. Supporting under the frame rails makes more sense to me then on the wheels. With the car sitting on the wheels you cannot get true level since the springs will dictate the stance and could tweak the car. I just cut the floor out of a 4 door by removing the spot welds. In the course of removing it, 2-3 days, the left rear tire went flat. You could see the misalignment where the welds were removed. I think the car should be supported under the frame rails and held as level as possible, front to back and side to side. Again, I think, my opinion.
 
I'd say use a lift under the frame rails or you could lift at the torque boxes since the vert will have all 4 of those. A frame shop will do a better job than a muffler shop in welding. Any welder should know to work from the ends toward the middle. To start at one end and run long continuous beads will draw the metal.
 
Well I just welded mine in. But I built a frame jig and got a factory chassis sheet to have all the demensions i needed to make sure the car was square. I then welded the car to the jig and made sure all measurements stayed. After that I welded them in. If you have a good frame shop around or race car fab shop they would be the ones to call. I also had to build a new front clip for the straight axle so I needed the jig. If you take the time to learn how to weld then you really could do it yourself.
 
USCartool is awesome. I ordered the connectors on Friday the 19th and they were delivered today. I read the instruction sheet and they say put the car in the riding position, weight on wheels, when welding them on.

I still have a couple of questions, 1) Do you really have to remove the seats, front and back, and the carpet? 2) How do you keep the inside of the connectors from rusting, once installed? If you paint them, inside, prior to installation wouldn't the welding make the painting worthless?
 
cuda67 said:
USCartool is awesome. I ordered the connectors on Friday the 19th and they were delivered today. I read the instruction sheet and they say put the car in the riding position, weight on wheels, when welding them on.

I still have a couple of questions, 1) Do you really have to remove the seats, front and back, and the carpet? 2) How do you keep the inside of the connectors from rusting, once installed? If you paint them, inside, prior to installation wouldn't the welding make the painting worthless?
Click to expand...

Hey how much were they?
 
cuda67 said:
USCartool is awesome. I ordered the connectors on Friday the 19th and they were delivered today. I read the instruction sheet and they say put the car in the riding position, weight on wheels, when welding them on.

I still have a couple of questions, 1) Do you really have to remove the seats, front and back, and the carpet? 2) How do you keep the inside of the connectors from rusting, once installed? If you paint them, inside, prior to installation wouldn't the welding make the painting worthless?
Click to expand...

You will have a fire if you don't remove the carpet, seats, sound proofing inside the car and undercoating where you will be welding. Trust me.
 
i have these in my car and they are AWSOME! you won't believe the difference! and yes,you better pull the carpet unless you want a pile of charcoal back!:-D
 
Thanks for the information. I kind of figured you all wouldn't give me an easy out. I guess I'm looking at a couple of days works and some fitting and grinding. Damn, I wish I were rich so I could pay to have these things done. But, heck, then I wouldn't have any fun. Hey, I in Florida if anyone wants to drop by. Just outside of Plant City and Tampa. I have beer. Anyone???:-D
 
Yes you definitely want to pull the carpet and seats. I had a kid that worked for me try to weld in some floor patches on his truck. He did pull back the carpet but left the seat. The next thing you know he had lost the truck and the house he garage was attached to after it had caught fire.
 
Fisrt of all thanks for all of you that praise Us Cartool, as an employee there it's good to hear, and for all of you that need some assistance in installing our framerails feel free to call us, as far as some questions I've seen here, PULL OUT ALL CARPET!!! Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby...that's just good welding advice. and as far as where to have your car jacked up, you want all the weight on the wheels. so putiing jacks under the rear axles is good and try to put jacks as close to the front wheels as possible, or get those little drive up ramps for the front, they do require a little cutting to get a great fit, but these are the best you can get for your car.
 
Sinful, great to have you aboard. Pass this along to your boss/owner so he knows. Your mentioned here at A bodies abit.
 
Well, Ya found a welder and a welding machine! But, I'm on the other coast. I was planning a trip at some point to meet up with Waggin (curtis) sometime in the future. How fast you looking to get it done?
 
I'd say do the job with the weight on the wheels,ever tryed to open your doors while the car is on jackstands under the frame rails?if you don't do it that way you may find yourself needing to realign the body panels when it gets back on the ground
 
Well thanks for the warm welcome, and to any of you guys who need help feel free to call us, even if it's just to ask some questions or advice.....we love to help....we're all hot rodders just like you
 
sinful_customs said:
Fisrt of all thanks for all of you that praise Us Cartool, as an employee there it's good to hear, and for all of you that need some assistance in installing our framerails feel free to call us, as far as some questions I've seen here, PULL OUT ALL CARPET!!! Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby...that's just good welding advice. and as far as where to have your car jacked up, you want all the weight on the wheels. so putiing jacks under the rear axles is good and try to put jacks as close to the front wheels as possible, or get those little drive up ramps for the front, they do require a little cutting to get a great fit, but these are the best you can get for your car.
Click to expand...


Thanks for clearing up the lift point. I got a set I need to put on my Dart. That info will come in handy.
 
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