Differences between a coupe frame and vert frame?

nmcgrawj

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
4
68
Indianapolis, IN
#1
Whats up guys? I was wondering what are the differences between a coupe frame and a vert. frame? I know verts have a X brace or something right? Are the frames more "beefier" than a coupe? I was talking to Ernie about how much his car weighs (4050lb with him at 300lbs himself :jaw: ) and started wondering where all the extra weight comes from in a vert. Is it just the roof, controls, etc that have to do with the drop top? Or is it in the construction of the frame?

Dont have a clue so just figured i'd ask. :shrug:
 
#7
Well, the vert has an additional cross bracing under the car as compared to the coupe. it also has a 25lb weight, YES I JUST SAID 25LB WEIGHT! behind the front bumper to "reduce cowl shaking" it also has the motor for the ver top, extra motors for the rear windows to lower, and extra sound deadining i belive. According to my insurance company, the vert has a "full frame" which is why its cheaper to insure rather then a normal mustang. There are more differences im sure, but I dont know them all.
 
#9
DarkProphet said:
Well, the vert has an additional cross bracing under the car as compared to the coupe. it also has a 25lb weight, YES I JUST SAID 25LB WEIGHT! behind the front bumper to "reduce cowl shaking" it also has the motor for the ver top, extra motors for the rear windows to lower, and extra sound deadining i belive. According to my insurance company, the vert has a "full frame" which is why its cheaper to insure rather then a normal mustang. There are more differences im sure, but I dont know them all.
Click to expand...


I have been wondering about how our cars would look like with your wing...got any pics?
 
#10
The A pillar is beefier, there is a LARGE X brace under the K member, the convertible top frame is HEAVY DUTY, it has the top motor and fluid, 25lb pass weight, etc. BUT our rear seats are MUCH lighter than the coupes... :confused:
 
#11
The only difference in the actually chassis itself is that the rockers are a thicker gauge metal and the brackets for the X-brace. The Cobra R has the brackets, but no X-brace. It does not have the thicker rockers. The floor pans are also the same thickness. It doesn't have anymore insulation than a coupe. The convertible assembly parts and the extra weight under the front end adds the most weight.
 
#12
I took my rear seat out and did my own rear seat delete for $24. Looks awesome. Rear seats weight 32 pounds. That's not including seat belts or windings and that is leather. Rear speakers are better off left in b/c they don't weigh more than 2# piece with the brackets.

p.s. I pulled my vert motor and lines and hydraulics and total weight is 14 pounds. I don't put the top down that often but it is EASY to put down. Harder to put up depending on how strong you are but not that hard. I usually have a firend take one side and I take the other no big deal. AND yes (staying close to topic) The frame and its parts are said to be around 100+- pounds. I have never had the whole frame off so I don't know.
 
#13
Yep, like mentioned above, the weight is mostly in the top and extra bracing..

the extra weight really comes from the Convertible top and associated hardware to make it function.
The verts do have the K member brace ( X brace) and of course the 25lb weight up front. The front end brace alone has to be 25lbs or close to it.. The conv top motor is beefy and the conv top frame work is made of thick steel, so as you see it all adds up.
 
#15
The X brace weighs 17lbs,
the vert cowl shake preventative is 25lbs, although I didn't weigh it. The funny thing about it is it says 25 pounds on it.
The vert CLOTH rear seat is only 11lbs for the bottom and 10lbs for the back for 21 total, A-lot lighter than the coupe.
The excess like stated above is from the HEAVY framing in the top, motor, etc..


sage2k- When I removed my x brace, I could not tell the difference in handling although some really feel it when removed. I suggest you take it off and if you don't like the way it feels, put it back on. It's just a few bolts and it makes oil changes easier :)
 
#16
I took mine off when I put the tubular K member in, but I only got to drive the car for 3 days before I hurt the motor so I can not say for sure if it had any negative effects. There was no provisions to hook it back up to the new K member I put in.
 
#17
Yah, i can't install the brace on my vert. I really havent noticed any difference and I have no brace and no strut tower brace either. All I have right now it my rollbar. I need to go get my car weight done at a truck scale to see what i'm at.
 
#18
"the vert cowl shake preventative is 25lbs, although I didn't weigh it. The funny thing about it is it says 25 pounds on it."

I weighed it. It's close to 28 pounds. The 25# label is for the weight only and apparently doesn't include the ends.
 
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