Torque box damage assesment-pics inside

[red82gt]

I was prepping my car to install some lower torque box reinforcements and found out that I've got some troubles. The boxes seem to be attached to the frame securely and they are square against the framerail but the sheetmetal on the outside is torn and looks like it has been pushed upwards. I noticed this several years ago and thought that someone had tried to use a jack on that point and damaged it but then I noticed that the floor inside the car (under the D/S rear seat) had a crack in it and seems to be pushed down in one part and pulled up over the frame rail. I'll post a pic of the inside floorboard below.

I'm wondering what to use as reference points to measure and determine if the torque box and the rest of the frame is straight. Also, to fix this (assuming that the car measures out straight) can I just cut away the damaged sheetmetal, install the torque box reinforcement (similar to battle boxes) and then replace the sheetmetal afterwards? It's too clean-especially for an 82 GT to scrap over this but I don't want a dangerous car either. Any opinions?

 

[red82gt]

Here is the pic from the inside, the crack is in the lower LH side along the edge of the seat and notice the contour of the floor dipping down after the framerail. The car had been in an accident before I bought it so this may be damage cause by pulling the frame back in place. Sorry about the quality of the pics as all I have is a 2.1mp camera to work with.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

I don't see the damage in the car. All I see is this area. I had the same crack on mine. From the way it looks, I would think that it is from jacking.

View attachment 485828

 

[ninety15.0]

I think i have that same little tear, i noticed it in the summer while putting my motor back in. I wouldnt worry too much about it...weld up the seams, put the battle boxes in there and weld the top and i think you should be fine. Def not anything i would scrap the car for?!?!!? i will be doing T boxes this summer too! good luck man tell us how it comes out.

 

[GreatWhite]

weld it up, put on some braces... should be fine

 

[red82gt]

Good to hear.
I'll probably cut away some of the sheetmetal on the outside and hammer things down from above and weld away.
I've measured several different points on the frame and everything seems to be perfectly square so I won't worry as the car has always tracked straight.

 

[2000xp8]

I'd suggest letting a chasis shop look at it. If you are going all out on the project and are going to be putting some power down, it will be more conforting to know what an expert says. I've seen powerful cars crush the boxes even when reinforced.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

The crack on the interior looks like it is directly above the frame rail. That would mean to be it is probably from an accident. As long as it's straight and properly welded together, I would see no issues.

 

[rd]

Every single Fox that I have had, 5 of 6, except the 89 four cylinder, has had the crack behind the drivers seat. My 82 had it when I got it. I put in subframes, and the crack has not grown any in 5 years of use and track trips. I would not worry, just reinforce and weld, and it should be fine.

 

[rsw007]

put in the boxes and weld up the crack.

 

[red82gt]

I measured it diagonally from the trans cross-member to the outside edge of the torque boxes and the dimensions were within 1/8th of an inch. I was happy with that and welded them in and welded up where the upper and lower boxes attach to the frame. The car always went straight on launch before so I think it'l be okay.