how much would a tubed chasis cost?

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

i have to replace the entire chasis in a 260 z if i deside to buy it but i want to know how much that would cost before i go ahead and buy the car please advise

[Guest Anonymous]

Well, the Datsun (along with most smaller cars, and even a majority of larger cars these days) has no chassis per se. The body is its chassis, its called Uni-body and its been used since the late 50's early 60's in most car construction. Trucks's and many of the SUV's still have a ladder type frame.

That said, the only way to tube frame a Datsun is to basically build a custom one off frame that has all the datsun attachment points for its suspension components and then cut a huge hole in the bottom of the car, and slide this new frame over it. Or hang all the doors and body panels off the tube frame. Either way, its going to be costly.

How much? Well typically to 'back half' a car which means modify it for a 4 link drag style rear suspension system (or ladder bar which won't work well in a datsun do to limited driveline length) is typically $2500.00! To do the whole car in tube frame, I'd multiply that by 4 anyway. 10k, thats a guess, but if I had to fabricate it for someone (and assuming I had the talent to pull it off, which is questionable and I do have some skills) thats what I'd ask for, because you'd have months into the task.

Save alot of cash, let the 260 go and find something that doesn't require such extensive mods.

Also, usually the Datsuns require floorpan replacement and front frame rail replacement only, not a tube frame, if its rotted enough for tube frame, avoid it like the plague anyway. Thats still the better part of almost 1-2k to replace the floor pans and frame rails depending on who's doing it. My opinion anyway...

 

Regards,

 

Lone

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

thanks for the advice

[Guest scca]

a full tube chassis would be about $5k-6k and then a LOT of work to install all the body.

 

not something for a street car

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

what if i were just to replace the frame rails with tubed how much approx wouyld that cost

[Guest jens]

Why not build a simple streetrod type frame with mustang2 or corvette aluminium front suspension and jaguar q45 or ford solid rearend. This would make room for almost any engine you want. Ofcourse you have to built it all yourself and its going to take a lot of time. A complete prostreet tube chassis is not needed unless its a 8 second race car. If you cant do it yourself buy a finished car its always cheaper but not as fun.

[Guest Anonymous]

If you REALLY want a tubed frame, you can get one CHEAP, but its gonna be much work and money to put in. Its at www.jegs.com they're complete unwelded chassis kit.

It comes with a complete roll cage with a Jegster (which I think is a mustang II unit reworked, not sure though) front end clip attachment points (which does'nt come with the kit, the suspension parts that is) and four link rear setup for a live axle. This is a drag race setup, but its reasonable until you add all the new suspension components, but would still be cheaper than having a race frame built. I'll see if I can find the link:

 

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4638&prmenbr=361

 

 

I'd either put in new pans and frame rails (either have it done, or do it yourself if you have the skills) or if they're not totally shot Ask DavyZ about Dando's frame rail reinforcement kit, it sounded like a great deal at 350.00 to beef up the stock rails. Just an idea, good luck with it.

 

Regards,

 

Lone

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

thanks the kit is only 570 thats not bad but the install is probably costly do you have any idea the cost

[Guest Anonymous]

Nah, sorry man I really don't, I haven't seen the kit, but if its like all of the rollcage kits, its a big bunch of pieces of pipe that must be cut down to fit (this kit may be different, but most of them are that way) and then welding, lots of welding. It'd be cheaper than having a chassis shop build one, but I'm sorry, I don't know what it would cost to complete something like that. The expensive part would be the 'jegster' front end complete with brakes and the rear 9" ford cut down and maybe like some Alden coil over shocks and all the 4 link hardware and panhard bar etc. It would'nt be cheap, but it'd be a bad ass drag car, if you can't hook that up, then you either got to much HP or you're doing something really wrong.. .

 

Regards,

 

Lone