The last couple years, I've been throwing around the idea of getting subframe connectors for my car, but just never actually got them. Of course, now I'm thinking about it again...
However I'm wondering if any of you guys have ever installed your own subframes and how it went? I have a gasless mig, but I don't know if that'll be good enough for welding in subframes. When I had them put on my mustang, I took it to a body shop (who did a great job, except that it cost me about $45 to have them welded in).
Is it even worth trying with my welder?
Your flux-cored welder should be ok as "most" SFC material used is 1/8" thick at the most. It will most likely be "sloppy" though due to the nature of the flux core wire. I converted mine to MIG as soon as I could.
I've installed a few sets on Mustangs/Tbirds/Fairmonts. All about the same really (did some on the '80 Zephyr a couple months back). The biggest PITA is if you have to weld them with the car on jackstands....I hate trying to get under the car with the welding hood on.
It's best to make sure the car is resting on it's suspension to avoid any artificial twist being set into the car once the SFCs are welded in place.
If you're interested, I have one set of the Tbird SFC crossbars I had made up a while back when I was selling SFCs. They're laser cut and bent and just need you to supply the main tube material.
Well, supposedly this welder can do up to 3/16" thick though I haven't tried it on anything that thick yet (mostly just done sheetmetal & 1/8" thick bar stock)
Crossbars, are you talking about the seat crossbar things? I might be interested, depending on what you were asking. I know Steeda used to sell seat crossbars by themselves, and I had been thinking about getting those although I'm not sure if they still sell them separately or not.
I was selling these for $25/shipped with the new hardware for to replace the seat studs.
You know chuck (of course you do) I can push on my seat and actually see the floor pan flex a little.
ill vouch for these. chuck does awesome work. (thanks Chuck!) ive got a set of them and they are very nice. dont hesitate on them. ive got MM sfc myself. they are nice peices as well. i havnt had them installed yet because im contimplating full length or through floor sfc. i havnt seen any yeat that werent custom.....
Hey chuck- I'll ago ahead and buy those braces. Send me a PM and tell me what your paypal addy is or whatever.
I was just gonna get some of the Turbo Coupe subframes that 40bob sells on his website (I know they're made by one of the guys on turboford) since I figure they'll be the right length and all that.