Zzeal Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've got a solid '73, barely noticed by the rust demons, but it's frame rails have led a rough life, they're all dinged up. So, to pretty 'em up and add some anti-flex, I've got Hard Dog rail caps going on. To continue the theme, I had some engine compartment frame rail caps made up too, out of 14ga. steel. It took me four metal fabrication shops until I found one that could pull it off, duplicating my cardboard templates and fully covering all three sides of the rail. The other shops could only do two full sides and cover only about half of the third side. Everything's been coated with 3M's weldable primer, and after it's all on I'll pour in some...POR-15?? where I can and give it a twirl, since this project's on a rotisserie. Could be a real mess to clean up though! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 :2thumbs:Beautiful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proxlamus© Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've got a solid '73, barely noticed by the rust demons, but it's frame rails have led a rough life, they're all dinged up. So, to pretty 'em up and add some anti-flex, I've got Hard Dog rail caps going on.To continue the theme, I had some engine compartment frame rail caps made up too, out of 14ga. steel. It took me four metal fabrication shops until I found one that could pull it off, duplicating my cardboard templates and fully covering all three sides of the rail. The other shops could only do two full sides and cover only about half of the third side. Everything's been coated with 3M's weldable primer, and after it's all on I'll pour in some...POR-15?? where I can and give it a twirl, since this project's on a rotisserie. Could be a real mess to clean up though! Steve Do you mean Bad Dog rails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hard Dog... reminds me of a South Park episode.. I digress... Looks great. Seems like the weldable primer worked ok too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzeal Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Yeah, Bad Dog! I don't know where the hard dog came from, that's funny. Another one of my senior moments I guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Yeah, Bad Dog! I don't know where the hard dog came from, that's funny. Another one of my senior moments I guess... I thought it was pretty funny too, but wasn't going to say anything... Looks great no matter what you call them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsommer Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I wanted to do the same thing to my 73 but was talked out of it. You should have another set made up and sell those front's I'm pretty sure there would be a market for a few (several) sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75&78Z Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Those do look great! Out of curiosity how much did it cost you to have them bent to shape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCchris Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Yeah, Bad Dog! I don't know where the hard dog came from, that's funny. Another one of my senior moments I guess... Nice job on the rails! FWIW, Hard Dog is a roll bar for a Miata. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzeal Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Those do look great! Out of curiosity how much did it cost you to have them bent to shape? The first three shops said they would've been right around $100 for bending the two pieces, including the metal, and I thought wow!, that's cheap! But then the uber shop said "to get the whole enchilada it will cost three happy meals, $300." ........................................... dsommer- Nooooo thanks, I don't want to get into the front rail biz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 So those are welded right on top of the old ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglist Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Damn, those look good. Wish someone did make something like those available for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Am I the only one that thinks welding right on top of the old rails is a bad idea? Some water is bound to get between the two rails and start rusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzeal Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Am I the only one that thinks welding right on top of the old rails is a bad idea? Some water is bound to get between the two rails and start rusting. It will be a rare occasion for this car to get wet, but I wouldn't worry about it, even as a daily driver. Everything will be buttoned up with 3M's seam sealer. I'm going to drill a small hole at the top edge of the rail and fill the cavity with some WD40, oil or whatever, then plug the hole. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzeal Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Nice job on the rails! FWIW, Hard Dog is a roll bar for a Miata. Thanks NCchris, that explains it!. I sold a Miata to start this project. I was exposed to Hard Dog propaganda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 It will be a rare occasion for this car to get wet, but I wouldn't worry about it, even as a daily driver. Everything will be buttoned up with 3M's seam sealer. I'm going to drill a small hole at the top edge of the rail and fill the cavity with some WD40, oil or whatever, then plug the hole. Steve Liquid water (rain, washing the car, etc) probably isnt the usual cause of rusting. Its water vapor/moisture in the air that is the culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzeal Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Liquid water (rain, washing the car, etc) probably isnt the usual cause of rusting. Its water vapor/moisture in the air that is the culprit. Agreed, and I'm finding my idea of lubing everything through one hole isn't feasible and I have no idea how long the weldable primer will resist corrosion if I do nothing, so I'm gonna keep it lubed up in there by drilling several holes and squirting in light oil or some "Endura". A mechanic friend highly recommends it. It "sprays as a liquid, penetrates tight areas and sets up as a long lasting grease", the ad reads. I designed the caps to fit snugly top and bottom but with some wiggle room on the vertical side, leaving room to get the lube going. I thought I paid $300 for the pair but it was $250. The shop that did the work kept my measurements and can make more. Beefing 'em up to 12 Ga. would cost another $10. Shoot me a PM if you're interested in going this route, I could provide the measurements or put you in touch with the shop. Here are the nylon plugs I'm using, cute little buggers, for 3/16" holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURLEIGH Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Once again, Great job! It looks wonderful! I guess as long as you own the car and maintain it there won't be any rust issues in that area. I wonder though if having all those holes might just allow moisture in that normally wouldn't? However, I doubt you'll ever have a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprayed280zx Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Could i get the name and number to the shop that made those and the guys name you spoke to......Thanks looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeper42 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I would drive up there from southern Indiana to pick up some of those! Cutting out the old rails makes me nervous! So hook me up with the number please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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