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Frame rail/torque box/firewall replacement help

  • Thread starter Thread starter 68Rustangs
  • Start date Start date Jan 2, 2008

68Rustangs

New Member
Oct 5, 2007
39
0
0
Sun Prarie WI
Jan 2, 2008
#1
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #1
When replacing the frame rails after the new torque boxes are installed does the new firewall need to be in first? Or does the frame rail weld just to the box and then the toeboards that go over the torque boxes? In other words do the frame rails weld to the firewall at all? And can you re-use the old shock towers after removing them as long as there is no cracks or rust damage? And do you think i even need to replace the firewall or will the toe boards cover the missing steel or a pair of firewall to floorboard pannels do the trick? Thanks in advance.
 

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xoxbxfx

Founding Member
May 9, 2001
3,959
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0
Southlake, TX
Jan 2, 2008
#2
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #2
holy cow...Id just find a new project.

The front frame rails have a lip that weld to the firewall if I remember correctly. If I were you, Id just build a new frame rail that goes from the back ones all the way forward. Or heck, just cut off the old frame rails and build a full chassis to bolt the car to
 

68Rustangs

New Member
Oct 5, 2007
39
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0
Sun Prarie WI
Jan 2, 2008
#3
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #3
im trying to build a gt/cs clone and since this car is pretty rusty i figured it would be a good challenge anyway.not doing it to expect to turn around and sell it just for fun and to build a mustang the way i would want it.besides,good unibodies are hard to come by in wisconsin unless you know of any. and i was gonna go with the mustang II front end anyway so i would be cutting most of the front up anyway.
 

xoxbxfx

Founding Member
May 9, 2001
3,959
0
0
Southlake, TX
Jan 2, 2008
#4
  • Jan 2, 2008
  • #4
68Rustangs said:
im trying to build a gt/cs clone and since this car is pretty rusty i figured it would be a good challenge anyway.not doing it to expect to turn around and sell it just for fun and to build a mustang the way i would want it.besides,good unibodies are hard to come by in wisconsin unless you know of any. and i was gonna go with the mustang II front end anyway so i would be cutting most of the front up anyway.
Click to expand...


you should really look into a full chassis then... There is a company that builds a box frame chassis with a mustang II front suspension and I think a 4 link rear. There is a ton of benefits to doing that... building a car off a frame is so much nicer than trying to work on a unibody.
 

jasonn

Founding Member
Sep 26, 2002
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16
By Rochester MN
Jan 3, 2008
#5
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #5
I'll try and answer your question. I have replaced the floor pans before on different cars. I think the firewall will be fine. The toe board will cover most if not all of that. If it does not, I just used the sheetmetal left over from trimming the floor pan to weld in between the toe board and the firewall. But I think I would try and do the frame rails first. Just remember to measure EVERYTHING a couple of times before cutting anything. I also would take a bunch of snapshots.
 
J

JEE740

New Member
Oct 21, 2006
18
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1
Jan 3, 2008
#6
  • Jan 3, 2008
  • #6
68Rustangs said:
im trying to build a gt/cs clone and since this car is pretty rusty i figured it would be a good challenge anyway.not doing it to expect to turn around and sell it just for fun and to build a mustang the way i would want it.besides,good unibodies are hard to come by in wisconsin unless you know of any. and i was gonna go with the mustang II front end anyway so i would be cutting most of the front up anyway.
Click to expand...


You're right about that. I looked at mustangs here in WI, IL and MN before saying enough's enough and buying one in Phoenix. Even though you pay more up front for a nicer car, you come out ahead in the long run on labor if you're paying a shop to do the rust repair. My 67 fastback was just a roller when I bought it 4 years ago, but still cost less than half of what Dynacorn wants for a new reproduction shell now.

Chris
 

68Rustangs

New Member
Oct 5, 2007
39
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0
Sun Prarie WI
Jan 6, 2008
#7
  • Jan 6, 2008
  • #7
I know i could probably travel a bit and buy a better unibody but i want to really go deep into replacing these parts just for the expirence and to say i can. Whats the worst that is gonna happen anyway. If it dosent work out ill just re sell whatever parts i bought for it. The frame rails and boxes are cheap anyway.And most of the other sheetmetal parts for that matter too.
 
L

lauras70mach1

Member
Aug 1, 2004
202
0
17
minnesota
Jan 6, 2008
#8
  • Jan 6, 2008
  • #8
The frame rail is spot welded to the toe board, not the firewall.

Are you replacing the frame rails?

Old bodyman's rule: Don't replace anything more than you have to.
 
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