Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Welding Holes in My Rear

[Davedacarpainter]

Shoulda been engrained in your head 4 years ago...

Hey Dave,...@davedacarpainter Did you drill the pinch weld and floor so you could spot/rosette weld the SF jacking rail to the pinch weld?
What you've done will be epic with regard to making your car absolutely rock solid..(think Viagra for SF connectors)

I haven’t yet Mike, I will though.

Right now I just have it tacked along the pinch weld just so I can build it. Then I’ll cut those tacked areas and drop it so I can perimeter weld all of those tubes connecting points.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

By now, the car has to be thinking about why all this stuff wasn't included initially.

I pulled it’s brains out awhile back, it stopped thinking then.....

 

[Hoytster]

Looking good man! That'll def. stiffen her up.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Looking good man! That'll def. stiffen her up.

Since I got you here, I got a question for you.

I’m thinking of putting a diagonal bar going forward from that first rung to the front edge of the sfc.

Is there any reason I wouldn’t do that? I just don’t see anyone else doing that when making something like mine.

 

[Hoytster]

Since I got you here, I got a question for you.

I’m thinking of putting a diagonal bar going forward from that first rung to the front edge of the sfc.

Is there any reason I wouldn’t do that? I just don’t see anyone else doing that when making something like mine.

Kind of like this (minus the outrigger on the through floor)?

If so, I don't see any reason not to do it. Since the k-member mounts to the location right above where the subframe connecter stops, adding lateral support in that area can only benefit.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Kind of like this (minus the outrigger on the through floor)?

If so, I don't see any reason not to do it. Since the k-member mounts to the location right above where the subframe connecter stops, adding lateral support in that area can only benefit.

Kind of what I was thinking. I’ll throw one of those in tonight.

BTW it was kind of cute how you compared what you're doing to my spindly little ladder system, lol.

 

[droopie85gt]

Only downside is if you add a whole bunch of those, it will weigh 4000 lbs because aren't you using some insanely thick wall stuff? But, who needs aero downforce when you can have GRAVITY on your side!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Only downside is if you add a whole bunch of those, it will weigh 4000 lbs because aren't you using some insanely thick wall stuff? But, who needs aero downforce when you can have GRAVITY on your side!

It is heavy steel Drew, I'm not sure of the actual weight either. I know I'm using about 14' per side. I'll find out what it will weigh.

Still, compared to the kegorator I intend to install in the spare tire well it should be nothing.......

 

[Davedacarpainter]

So I made a front diagonal for the ladder system (ls).

This was by far the most challenging piece to make. Of course there's the drop angle from the jr to the sfc. Plus the angle from the forward rung to the sfc. Also the sfc's front brace that attaches to the subframe need a bit of grinding to fit around it.

It probably took me an hour to make just this one piece. All of the rest of the rungs and diag pieces took at most ten minutes.

Whatever, right? Here you go. Before.

After.

 

[Hoytster]

@Davedacarpainter Yeah, those double angles can get ya sometimes. I have a system down and I still screw it up sometimes.

 

[General karthief]

I eliminate all that an just use a screwed up system.
Question, ladder bars were used to locate the rear axle housing and provide frontend lift for traction in (old school) drag cars. You are installing jacking rails right? another term would be perimeter frame maybe? More likely I'm just old and out of touch.

 

[Hoytster]

I eliminate all that an just use a screwed up system.
Question, ladder bars were used to locate the rear axle housing and provide frontend lift for traction in (old school) drag cars. You are installing jacking rails right? another term would be perimeter frame maybe? More likely I'm just old and out of touch.

Technically, you are correct, though I've heard the term used both ways. I prefer "subframe rail" and "matrix bracing", but I'm an engineer and have to over complicate everything...

 

[95BlueStallion]

Shoulda been engrained in your head 4 years ago...

Hey Dave,...@davedacarpainter Did you drill the pinch weld and floor so you could spot/rosette weld the SF jacking rail to the pinch weld?
What you've done will be epic with regard to making your car absolutely rock solid..(think Viagra for SF connectors)

Yeah, but I didnt have my current car 4 years ago. The S197 didnt really need it.

 

[02 281 GT]

So I made a front diagonal for the ladder system (ls).

This was by far the most challenging piece to make. Of course there's the drop angle from the jr to the sfc. Plus the angle from the forward rung to the sfc. Also the sfc's front brace that attaches to the subframe need a bit of grinding to fit around it.

It probably took me an hour to make just this one piece. All of the rest of the rungs and diag pieces took at most ten minutes.

Whatever, right? Here you go. Before.

After.

I’ve screwed up angles on quarter rounds in the house numerous times. Can’t imagine how many times I’d have to screw this up to get it right.

Yeah, but I didnt have my current car 4 years ago. The S197 didnt really need it.

Dave also makes it looks much more enjoyable with the combination of drinking and welding.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I eliminate all that an just use a screwed up system.
Question, ladder bars were used to locate the rear axle housing and provide frontend lift for traction in (old school) drag cars. You are installing jacking rails right? another term would be perimeter frame maybe? More likely I'm just old and out of touch.

I call it a ladder system because it looks like a ladder. I’m too simple for correct nomenclature. Lol

Being correct used to bother me, but my wife took all of those worries away from me.

 

[Noobz347]

I call it a ladder system because it looks like a ladder. I’m too simple for correct nomenclature. Lol

Being correct used to bother me, but my wife took all of those worries away from me.

I quit this thread.

 

[Noobz347]

Do we know what the motor will be yet?

 

[General karthief]

It will be an engine, probably a ford

 

[Noobz347]

It will be an engine, probably a ford

You do not know this.

 

[General karthief]

The probability of me being correct is overwhelming