I was thinking of buying some for my 67 vert, but they are around $200. Has anyone made their own? It doesn’t seem hard, it is just some 2” square stock and a weld bracket. Does anyone have some pictures of their sub-frame connectors attached to the car so I can get some ideas?
You should be able to find subframes for around 100bucks, I bought the bolt in ones, and just welded them in. However mine were straight square tubing so they should be fairly easy to fab up if you choose.
I looked for a set of connectors that would not drop so darn low on my vert. The biggest problem is the the lower seat pan box. I decided to get creative and use the existing structure and piece in my sub frame parts. Combo of 2" sq stock and heavy duty angle iron. I am still working on the connection points; though I should have it all dialed in this week. I can post picks or drawings of how I did it. Lots of welding, but I think I have come up with a way to create much better torsional rigidity, while maintaining, for the most part, ground clearance.
I have seen a few guys cut through the floor boards to accomplish an in the car subframe, but I think it looks like crap. I have an engineer, my father, helping me reason it all out.
I am also redoing the tunnel plate to add greater surface area, allowing me to "tie" in the two sides with much more stability. And, I won't give up access to the drive shaft, trans or exhaust.
If you can get round tubing subframe connectors then do so as they are superior to ones made of square tubing. Through the floor square tubing connectors are alright but they will mess up the look of your backseat floor and carpet fitment becomes an issue.
I made a set about 6 months back, with my oxy kit and it was pretty easy. The basics are exactly what you said...get some 2" square tubing, a little 1/8" plate stock to attach the tubes to the frames, a welder, a hacksaw and start having fun.
The best way I found to get the geometry right is to take a thin piece of plywood (2' x 4' x 1/4") and use a floor jack to hold the wood against the bottom of the frame rails. Then use a sharpie to outline the framerails, and you're set.
Total cost ~ $60
Time ~ 10hrs
I can send you some pictures of the installed product if you'd like.
I made some for my 86 Mustang and it was fairly simple.Have a look at ebay and some of the aftermarket companies for ideas on how they should look and the size of material being used.Bends can be made by cutting through three sides of the tube and bending in such a way that the gap is closed up when you bend.