Lateral-g Forums
Page 2 of 5 1 2 34 Last »
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Lateral-g Forums (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/index.php)
-   Chassis and Suspension (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38)
-   -   KLRBRD 1973 Trans Am Suspension Redo...4-link FAIL! (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49303)

Ron Sutton 02-17-2015 11:01 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 595045)
Sorry to see this Jay -- but sadly -- it happens all the time. And it's not RideTech -- as it's happened with several folks around here with various suspensions. The rails in these cars were junk when they were new -- add 40 years of rotting... then put big sticky tires and track the crap out of em with half a zillion horse power... LOL


Somebody needs to make new frame rails that are .120 wall or better.... and you weld them in fully, instead of old weak single shear spot welds to sheet metal.
^^^^ Yup, yup! Agreed ^^^

Most of these factory "frame rails" are just too thin for the forces we put through them. IHMO, these sheetmetal rails really need to be replaced with 2"x3" x.120" wall "real frame rails".

Chassisworks 02-17-2015 11:09 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 595045)
Somebody needs to make new frame rails that are .120 wall or better.... and you weld them in fully, instead of old weak single shear spot welds to sheet metal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Sutton (Post 595059)
^^^^ Yup, yup! Agreed ^^^

Most of these factory "frame rails" are just to thin for the forces we put through them. IHMO, these sheetmetal rails really need to be replaced with 2"x3" x.120" wall "real frame rails".

Gee, what a great idea, and the rail could be designed so that you could bolt a connector in the middle and have a modular three-section frame system.

Oh! Look What I Found! :D CLICK ME FOR TECH!
Click Here For 70-73 Options.
Click Here For 74-81 Options.

http://www.cachassisworks.com/site_i...eSystem_AT.jpg

http://www.cachassisworks.com/images...840-f20_2_.jpg

chichirone 02-17-2015 05:33 PM
Greg and Ron, thanks for the input on the frame rails. It is what it is so time to "capitalize" on the opportunity and make it better. We found some 2" x 3" x.120" rails from Competition Engineering. They are on their way to the shop.

The old ones are being cut out. The joke around the house is the firebird is now the Bird on fire. Going to be a mad rush to get it all done by GG's and USCA at TMS next month.

Hope to post some pics soon.

chichirone 02-17-2015 05:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh@Ridetech (Post 595040)
Hey Jay,

I can't say that I've seen a 2nd gen frame rail split like that before, but it does look very thin. With the Airbar holding the rails together, it looks like it pulled on it hard enough to break the mount off. Have you had the chance to call in yet? If not, I'll be happy to help out! We'll make sure you get straightened away.
Josh, I wanted to thank you and Chase for your help and assistance. I'm confident we will get it all sorted and back on the road soon. :thankyou:

JUSTANOVA 02-17-2015 05:43 PM
autoweld chassis also has boxed rear frame rails listed in 11 guage. never used them so don't know what the quality is like, just throwing it out as an option

chichirone 02-17-2015 05:48 PM
Good lookin out man. Appreciate it. I'll look into them even though we got the CE rails. Never hurts to learn more.

By the way... I totally agree with your tag line. Stock does suck.

Ron in SoCal 02-17-2015 11:42 PM
Personally not happy with the fit on my Autoweld rails. I did not get the factory replacements though so your mileage may vary. When you call to order they really don't offer much guidance either.

OTOH, I've seen AME rails that come within 3/4" of fitting. Not bad from where I sit today...

dhutton 02-18-2015 06:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal (Post 595178)
Personally not happy with the fit on my Autoweld rails. I did not get the factory replacements though so your mileage may vary. When you call to order they really don't offer much guidance either.

OTOH, I've seen AME rails that come within 3/4" of fitting. Not bad from where I sit today...
The AME rails that came with my IRS matched the floor within a hair along the entire length. Very impressive fit.

Mike's Custom Cars had some very nice frame rails at one point. They were designed for minitubs.

Don

chichirone 02-21-2015 10:22 PM
Frame rails replacement underway.

New ones arrived at Dusold Designs:
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psykdkd53j.jpg

Suspension, rear end and interior have all been removed:
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3uzypmxm.jpg
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...psbvxdmiam.jpg

KLRBRD is now the Bird on fire... :welder: :super hack: :weld:
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...sbb9cf08e.jpeg

GregWeld 02-21-2015 10:35 PM
And the fun begins!! Mike is one of the good guys! Everything is going to turn out great.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:32 AM.
Page 2 of 5 1 2 34 Last »
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net