Hey guys, I've got a '69 Mach 1 that I'm going to start working on soon and I want to stiffen the chasis before I do anything. I've been looking around for a set of sub-frames, but some of them require modifying the floor pans. What's a good sub-frame I can get without having to modify the car, other than welding the sub-frames on? Thanks.
Best sub-frame connectors?
- Thread starter nick6704
- Start date
70vert
New Member
Here's one
from another '70 convertible owner, this isn't my car:
http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum75.html
it was made by welding 1x1 tubing together and just connects the front and rear subframe straight, as close to the floor pan as possible. I really like his idea of the Kenny Brown style addition to the subframe. This is a convertible, though, so there ie really more to do than on a sportsroof/mach 1.
It seems like all the custom solutions (this one, the one in the Reenmachine thread above) are able to keep the connector closer to the floorpan than the generic ones. I'm not 100% sure why that is but I imagine it has something to do with standardizing among different cars. Custom would seem to be the best way to go if ground clearance is a big issue for you.
from another '70 convertible owner, this isn't my car:
http://homepage.mac.com/jbauder/PhotoAlbum75.html
it was made by welding 1x1 tubing together and just connects the front and rear subframe straight, as close to the floor pan as possible. I really like his idea of the Kenny Brown style addition to the subframe. This is a convertible, though, so there ie really more to do than on a sportsroof/mach 1.
It seems like all the custom solutions (this one, the one in the Reenmachine thread above) are able to keep the connector closer to the floorpan than the generic ones. I'm not 100% sure why that is but I imagine it has something to do with standardizing among different cars. Custom would seem to be the best way to go if ground clearance is a big issue for you.
mdjay
Premium Sponsor
If you don't plan on using a tcp rear torque arm, or the rear coilover kit, the maier racing ones are the best by design!
70vert
New Member
multiple connection points
It seems from what I've read that having multiple connection points is the most important thing. Maier Racing (read the description on their website) mentions avoiding the "pivot points" in a 2-connection design and their connectors work more like a "truss" connecting at multiple points and putting the stress in multiple places. I think that's how a ladder-style frame works and how that one pic of the Kenny Brown style frame works. I also agree with Maier that "the goal should be to locate the suspension pick up points relative to each other"
If I didn't have a convertible and like mdjay is saying if you aren't using a torque arm or coilover rear system I would run out and buy the Maier.
It seems from what I've read that having multiple connection points is the most important thing. Maier Racing (read the description on their website) mentions avoiding the "pivot points" in a 2-connection design and their connectors work more like a "truss" connecting at multiple points and putting the stress in multiple places. I think that's how a ladder-style frame works and how that one pic of the Kenny Brown style frame works. I also agree with Maier that "the goal should be to locate the suspension pick up points relative to each other"
If I didn't have a convertible and like mdjay is saying if you aren't using a torque arm or coilover rear system I would run out and buy the Maier.
DarkBuddha
Founding Member
Global West got my coin... you can see pics of 'em installed on my '70 Mach here: http://groups.msn.com/DBsMustang/chasis.msnw
mdjay said:
Very nice product. I did have to move my fuel line and notch the front connector bracket of the driver side sub frame to clear the e-brake guide. I would recommend these to anyone they are well built and I think they are a superior design. I noticed the other day that CJ pony had them for less than from the factory.
