Boxed-In Control Arms - Pics

[blueovalnotch65]

Hey guys. I'm currently doing a pretty major overhaul to my 65 coupe. One of the things I wanted to do was box-in/reinforce my control arms. I didn't want to spend the money for tubulars. Here are some pics. Let me know what you think.
I purchased some 1/8" plate steel from the scrap pile at the local metal supply. I think it was about 20 bucks for two 3x3 sheets.
Don't be too harsh on the welding...I just bought the welder last week so i'm still a newbee.

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[Fstbk]

I have wondered what the difference would be if I took mine off and just did that and compared the ride to what I have now?

Most of the time it's done during a total rebuild so you cant tell what the boxing does and what the other things enhanced.

 

[blueovalnotch65]

I have wondered what the difference would be if I took mine off and just did that and compared the ride to what I have now?

Most of the time it's done during a total rebuild so you cant tell what the boxing does and what the other things enhanced.

Yes very true. I'm not doing any other mods to the suspension or steering so i'm hoping to have a different handling car. Its only been 3 weeks since she's been off the road and I hope to have her back on the road in a couple weeks.

 

[Fstbk]

Let us know if you notice any change, and dont forget the alignment.

 

[NasaGT]

Very nice! I'm planning on doing something similar as well. Can't decide if I want to rollerize them as well....

 

[blueovalnotch65]

Very nice! I'm planning on doing something similar as well. Can't decide if I want to rollerize them as well....

Im thinking about this too, my bushings are getting kinda old.

 

[Couped Up]

Nice mod. In your pics it looked like you already had roller spring perches, but then one of the pics looks like you still have the rubber bushings? If they're not rollerized, this would be a great time to make that improvement, as well.... Sorry, Just think'n out loud..... and your welds look fine.

Just in case.... http://dazed.home.bresnan.net/opentracker

 

[dennis112]

I'm going to take my front end apart this winter to add more caster by offsetting the UCA shafts. I'm going to do the boxing mod when I have it apart.

Tracy, I hope that you take a few pics of the shaft mod for those of us who are curious. I could use a little more caster too.

 

[Fstbk]

Dennis, the easy way to do that is to knock the mounting bolts out of the shaft and rotate it a few turns in the direction you want to go. Just dont twist the studs/bolts to get them out because they have splines to prevent rotation when you tighten the nuts down during installation.

 

[blueovalnotch65]

Nice mod. In your pics it looked like you already had roller spring perches, but then one of the pics looks like you still have the rubber bushings? If they're not rollerized, this would be a great time to make that improvement

No, in the pictures they were still rubber. I was waiting on the DIY kit from opentracker which came a cpl days later. I made the roller perches and one came out good, the other ehhhh will work for now.