toolman

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.

Welded the frame rails to floor pan and rear crossmembers. In the front, rails welded to reinforcement plates attached to floor pan. Rear section was welded to existing rear crossmember. Rails were also spot welded in the middle sections. In preparation for engine compartment rail construction, the engine compartment was boxed to prevent body shifting while cutting off the front rails. The photo shows using the bubble level on the top of the engine to sidewards level. The car must be set level before any cutting can be done.

right side interior floor reinforcement Waiting for magnetic starter switch for my air compressor so I decided to finish the floor reinforcement plates. These 16 gauge steel plates are located inside the vehicle at the bottom end the firewall and front section of each side floor panel. They will reinforce the floor and firewall directly above the frame rails. The plates are about 4 inches wide about a foot long. This should spread the frame load over a wider area of the floor sheet metal. left side interior floor reinforcement