Frame rails

[Rent-A-Racer]

for anyone that's done this replacement, what tips/hint can you provide for a relative trouble free install. I will retain the aprons and the frame frome the firewall back.

ANYTHING you can provide would be great!!

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

BTW>I'm helping with a friends '66 coupe that needs both front frame rails

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

ANYONE??

 

[68_stanger]

I haven't done one either, just the patch that holds the bumper bracket cuz the bolts were broken off in them But Im in the same boat as you, (sortof) I'm gonna help my bro with a rear frame rail in his 78 camaro I guess measure twice cut once. measure again. Take your time and it will come out allright. I intend on takeing some pics before we tear into it and write down spacing measurements and all that. Good luck!

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

Well thanks anyway!

 

[Loup-garou]

Do you have the factory dimensions for the unibody, so you can measure during the installation to ensure everything is positioned correctly?

If not, check with parts vendors for the reproduction assembly manuals - the "Welds and Sealant" manual is the one with the chassis dimensions, IIRC.

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

that's good to know. I was not aware that info was avaliable. thanks

 

[fess40]

I also need to replace a front framerail. If you find any info please pass it along! I did both rear frame rails about ten years ago. I just bought the new rails, measured how long they were (a hundred times), cut that much out and welded the new ones in. So far so good...

 

[68rustang]

This is the frame dimension drawing that has been floating around for a while. It is labeled as a 70 and I am not sure what the similarities are with the different years.

http://www.boss302.com/framed.htm

 

[kq10dn]

Do you have the factory dimensions for the unibody, so you can measure during the installation to ensure everything is positioned correctly?

If not, check with parts vendors for the reproduction assembly manuals - the "Welds and Sealant" manual is the one with the chassis dimensions, IIRC.

I ran across your reply on frame rails-Who who have the Chassis dimensions-66 mustang. thanks

 

[TOM B]

Its not that hard, measure from the front crossmember side to side and note where the spot welds are, clean up the old rail where the spot welds are, then drill out the welds with a drill or use a special bit for cutting out spot welds, take your time and try not to go through the floor, if you do its not that bad you just fill them when you weld. draw a line on both sides of the rail lips on the flloor so it will be easy to put in the new one, then remove the old rail. if you are just putting a piece in then just but them together. If you dont have a spot welder the plug weld it in, holds better and looks original.
Take as much weight off the car as possible, like for the front rails the engine and trany should be out. put stands underthe car so it dont fall when you take out the old rail. measure what you can and right them down, Its also good to take digital pics of everything ifs its your first time, the more pics the better, you might not get it done for a few days and you cant remember everything
Note: not all the chassis are what the book says it should be, thats impossible, so if your going by the book dont be to critical.

I do have the specs but my new Brother MFC printer combo took a shi* already.

 

[Ferf]

My uncle and I replaced both rear frame rails and both front portions of the front frame rails. We had the car sitting on a square and used the proper gauges that hang from the frame rails. I have the dimensions of the '65 and '66 coupe at home. PM me and I'll get them out to you when I get home from work.

later,

Chris

 

[Ferf]

http://www.stangit.com/xtra_images/mustang_dimensions.tif

later,

Chris

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

Thanks Chris!

 

[Ferf]

Thanks Chris!

No problem!

later,

Chris