74 Duster rotted out drivers side torsion bar crossmember

[C-TOWNDUSTER]

Hey all, brand new here so I look forward to all your suggestions. I have a 74 Duster and the drivers side crossmember is rotted out at the rear of the torsion bar. Anyone got one for sale or know of aftermarket parts? Also what's the best route to do this. Thanks

 

[nm9stheham]

Is the crossmember so bad as to make welding not an option? Sometimes cracks develop rather than deep rust. If the cross member is in a surface-rust-only state, then have the t-bar sockets re-welded into the x-member. It might take some plating added for a good weld.

Otherwise, you should be able to buy a use from a parted out car.

 

[rumblefish360]

I ordered a frame cap. The gauge metal was super thick, twice that of the OE metal. I did graph it in with a mig welder. I had to weld up around the T bar anchor. What made it a bit easier was the floor was rotted so I could weld both sides of the frame and cap.

Now knowing better having been there done that, I would not go that route but instead purchase metal in the same gauge to graph in.

I used a dremel/die grinder to get the thin metal out. When the normal thickness appeared all the way around, I used the cap on top of it. Get all the rust out on both sides if possible and treat it. The cap was plenty thick enough to weld to the T-bars anchor.

This thread; http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=10508

This area of the thread; http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=10508&page=5

 

[76orangewagon]

You can buy one from AMD(Auto Metal Direct), heres a link to help you out.

http://www.autometaldirect.com/amd-67-76-a-body-torsion-bar-cross-member-p-809.html