convertible structure

tsiemens · Dec 29, 2019

So regarding convertible structure what is it that keeps the foxes from buckling in the center is there some huge piece of steel inside the rockers or something? Surely the sheet metal floor alone wouldn't be enough.

General karthief · Dec 29, 2019

There is an aluminum piece that runs along the rocker front to back, it is riveted. There is also a brace from the radiator support to the k member then to the frame rail.
i think the header across the top of the back seat is heavier too.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 29, 2019

Shape of the trans tunnel/driveshaft hump also creates some rigidity in the structure fore/aft.

Long story short...get yourself some quality full lenght subframe connectors

tsiemens · Dec 29, 2019

Yeah I'm going to get some welded on next year. Thanks guys.

General karthief · Dec 29, 2019

Besides the sub frame connectors they really need the strut tower brace too, the cowl/windshield area has very little support and can/will develop a shake.

tsiemens · Dec 29, 2019

I wasn't aware there was a strut tower brace.

LILCBRA · Dec 29, 2019

You'll have to pick an aftermarket strut tower brace, they didn't come stock to the best of my knowledge. Maximum Motorsports makes a nice piece, I used one on the 84 convertible I had and is likely what I'll get for my 87.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 30, 2019

tsiemens said:
I wasn't aware there was a strut tower brace.

Not factory. Purely aftermarket option.

I added an MM strut tower to my car and it made a noticeable improvement in reducing cowl shake and my car is a hatch.

90sickfox · Dec 30, 2019

Stifflers makes the best brace for a convertible....the spider brace system. The weakest point is between the cowl area under the dash and the front lower corners of the door openings. Strut tower brace helps and the lower k kember to frame rail brace is a must. The factory has one but a bunch of people removed them over the years. The factory braced the k member in an x from core support to k member and k member to frame rail. I've put convertible braces on LX and GT cars and noticed an instant difference...especially if adding a strut tower brace that mounts to the firewall pinch weld. The ones that bolt to the front of the cowl / firewall where the wiper washer tube runs through are a joke. That metal is too thin to not flex over time....helps but not the best design.

Gs1987GT · Dec 31, 2019

"There is an aluminum piece that runs along the rocker front to back, it is riveted.'

If the piece you reference is the one that runs on the underside of the rocker panels between the front and rear wheels, that is a steel piece, not aluminum.

Over my Christmas vacation I installed MM full length subframe connectors. The factory convertible braces have to be modified on the convertibles (my car is). The front ones get removed, part of it cut off and then it's welded to the frame connector and that steel brace on the underside of the rocker. The rear braces over the torque boxes get the rivets removed where they go though the frame rail, you cut a slit in the brace, then weld it to the frame rail.

It was a big job for sure, but well worth the effort, especially on a convertible. I'm looking forward to driving the car when I get a few more things done to see how it feels with the subframe connectors instslled.

General karthief · Dec 31, 2019

Gs87GT said:
"There is an aluminum piece that runs along the rocker front to back, it is riveted.'

If the piece you reference is the one that runs on the underside of the rocker panels between the front and rear wheels, that is a steel piece, not aluminum.

Over my Christmas vacation I installed MM full length subframe connectors. The factory convertible braces have to be modified on the convertibles (my car is). The front ones get removed, part of it cut off and then it's welded to the frame connector and that steel brace on the underside of the rocker. The rear braces over the torque boxes get the rivets removed where they go though the frame rail, you cut a slit in the brace, then weld it to the frame rail.

It was a big job for sure, but well worth the effort, especially on a convertible. I'm looking forward to driving the car when I get a few more things done to see how it feels with the subframe connectors instslled.

I stand corrected. Been a while.
Got any pics?

tsiemens · Dec 31, 2019

I'd love pics also

Gs1987GT · Jan 1, 2020

Sorry guys, no good pics of the brace. I'll see what I can do

Gs1987GT · Jan 1, 2020

convertible structure

tsiemens

my welding skills arent really skills

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

tsiemens

my welding skills arent really skills

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

tsiemens

my welding skills arent really skills

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Gs1987GT

Active Member

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

tsiemens

my welding skills arent really skills

Gs1987GT

Active Member

Gs1987GT

Active Member

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convertible structure

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