A-Body Bolt in Frame reinforcing?

[SteveMcqueenRules]

I am thinking about reinforcing my 64 Cutlass frame with a fat bolt in Crossmember that would stiffen up the unboxed portion of the frame. Similar in design to the aftermarket frames structure below the passenger/driver compartment of the body. I am trying to avoid having to buy a big welder or pay someone/haul my frame to get the frame boxed in. And ruining the originality of the car. It may not be as stiff as if it was welded in but willing to compromise for easy of installation. I have seen similar setups on Hot Rods such as 32fords and the like.

Similar to this but of course bolt in.


Is there a design out there for something like this?
Has anyone done anything similar?
I would really appreciate some ideas on how this should be properly designed And things I should avoid.

[deuce_454]

i have only one thing to say... box the frame... it takes no time, looks better and adds torsional rigidity like NO bolt in contraption ever could... that frame in that picture is from an engineering standpoint so wrong it makes me want to cry... there are no triangulating structures, the framerails are torsionally far infrrior to what a square profile with simmilar external measurements would be... do the math if you dont believe me...

so box the frame.. and if yoy really want to add a bolt in structure.. make it an X instead of that bedframe you posted....

heer is a pic of my frame... it really isnt that big a deal... it can be done without removing the body!

also, stiffer bodymounts are worth considdering... mine are aluminum so prety stiff :-)

[deuce_454]

if you look closely at this pic.. surry dont have a better one right now... you can see the X in the frame on my 32.. the tube you see in the middle is to tie the two sides of the x member together, and doubles as a front driveshaft safety loop