KLRBRD 1973 Trans Am Suspension Redo...4-link FAIL!

[chichirone]

Thanks for the response Rodney. Frame rails are being replaced. Still assessing what to do next with suspension. Vince, I'll be calling Ridetech. Appreciate your insight.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by chichirone

Thanks for the response Rodney. Frame rails are being replaced. Still assessing what to do next with suspension. Vince, I'll be calling Ridetech. Appreciate your insight.

upper eye too, that could have been very bad.

[Josh@Ridetech]

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.

[GregWeld]

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.

[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

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]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

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.

Originally Posted by Ron Sutton

^^^^ 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! CLICK ME FOR TECH!
Click Here For 70-73 Options.
Click Here For 74-81 Options.

[chichirone]

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.

[JUSTANOVA]

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]

Originally Posted by Josh@Ridetech

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.