toolman

Another view of the new front frame connector. Next step is to weld up the frame rail to firewall. Then, attach the sheetmetal side apron to the frame rails.

The front frame rail checked with bubble level. Level check was done sidewards for both front and rear section of the frames rails. Rignt side frame was checked for levelness. Left side rail checked levelness too. Both rails were also checked for squareness. This is done both measuring diagonally the opposide cotners of the frame rails. A new 2 1/2" tubing was cut to join the two frame rails together at the front.

right side frame rail mocked up on jack stands. Shimmed to be level lengthwise and sideways. frame rail contoured to match firewall to provide easier welding top view of rail and firewall outside view of rail and firewall top inside view of right frame rail

L/S frame rail cutoff using plasma cutter crossmember box removed from frame rail new frame-2 1/2 X 1/8" square steel tubing being setup notice gap-about 1" between square tubing and wheelwell. A filler piece fill this gap. the filler piece consists of 6" strip of 16 gauge sheet metal connecting tubing with existing wheel well housing the firewall end of the square tubing was capped with 1/8" metal plate. Notice the plate was made with about 3 /16" edge around it. This was to allow easier welding the tubing to the firewall. mockup of the connecting piece between the square tube frame and underfloor frame connectors One of the most difficult potion of the front frame construction will be connecting the crossmember to the square frame rail. The connector will need to be smaller than the width of the square tubing.