how are you all doing? im interested in fabricating my own subframe connectors but with being new to mustangs I was hoping you guys could help me out by maybe posting pics and design points if any of you have fabricated your own before? or maybe know a of thread any info would help thanks in adavance!!
dyi subframe connectos?!?
Nightstang
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how are you all doing? im interested in fabricating my own subframe connectors but with being new to mustangs I was hoping you guys could help me out by maybe posting pics and design points if any of you have fabricated your own before? or maybe know a of thread any info would help thanks in adavance!!
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Go to all the product sights where they sell these, ie Steeda, Maximum Motorsports, BBK, UPC, etc. My memory is that in one of those descriptions they said what size tubing they used and its wall thickness.
The connectors are pretty simple but there are 2 tricky parts. They typically have a bend in the middle to match the floor contour. The half decent ones have side plates at this bend to reinforce the tube where it was bent.
Typically there are also seat brackets that ship as separate parts. You bolt these to the rear seat bolts and they have a big slot that the connector fits through. After welding the connector on each end you then weld it to this bracket. This bracket is important to put in to get the best stiffness. You could make this bracket out of square tubing if you have some way to slot it.
Many of these connectors like the Steeda ones I got also come with reinforcement plates for the lower torque box. These plates don't cost too much separately, I'd put them in at the same time. In theory you could make these also but they had some bends on them that would be hard without access to a sheet metal brake.
The connectors are pretty simple but there are 2 tricky parts. They typically have a bend in the middle to match the floor contour. The half decent ones have side plates at this bend to reinforce the tube where it was bent.
Typically there are also seat brackets that ship as separate parts. You bolt these to the rear seat bolts and they have a big slot that the connector fits through. After welding the connector on each end you then weld it to this bracket. This bracket is important to put in to get the best stiffness. You could make this bracket out of square tubing if you have some way to slot it.
Many of these connectors like the Steeda ones I got also come with reinforcement plates for the lower torque box. These plates don't cost too much separately, I'd put them in at the same time. In theory you could make these also but they had some bends on them that would be hard without access to a sheet metal brake.
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I made my own. I just got some square tubing that was 2"W X 1"H 1/8" wall. I got like 20 some feet off it, and used a grinder to cut it, and make notches for the bends. Then rewelded of course. But they fit great because they were tailored to my car. but I had like 50 bucks into material. so really, how much are you saving by doing that.
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Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it I do have access to full shop and machine shop through my work and I have a good arsenal of tools in my garage. Thanks again to all of you for the help!
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good call I ! Haha I had a dyslexic moment
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I could but I prefer to build my stuff coming from an off road background and building everything from prerunners to kinf of the hammer trucks to sandrails I really enjoy design and fruition as well as the satisfaction of making my own part its more fun that way
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Nightstang, one more thing that might help you, I think on the Steeda site you can download the installation instructions for their subframes. It has some pictures of both the subframes and how they install.
When installing the subframes you need to have the car's weight on its wheels on level ground, otherwise you can end up welding the some twist into the body.
When installing the subframes you need to have the car's weight on its wheels on level ground, otherwise you can end up welding the some twist into the body.
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You could also do the lower reinforcement like that wolf race craft ones. Basically just a plate that ties the torque box into the frame rail. It's a flat plate that you then use a bfh to massage it into place. Do that along with the reinforcements that bolt to under the seat and that thing isn't going anywhere
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Makes sense kinda like when doing a chop and bracing for the chop thanks again and that's an awesome idea using the install guides to go off of I'm gonna try that !
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So your saying basically boxing the frame to the torque box?
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Where in ventura county are you?
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Whitefaleen I'm in Simi ...where are you from?
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Pretty much although it's just a plate.
http://www.wolferacecraft.com/instruc/must/tqplates.aspx
That's a link to them. Between those and the typical reinforcements that everyone thinks of your torque boxes won't go anywhere without ripping the back half of the car apart
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I live in Simi now as well lol
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Nice! I'll have to put the car on the lift and make some templates and see exactly what I'm working with thanks for the link that will make it a bit easier to go off of
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That's awesome man ! Yeah its not that exciting around here but we do have a lot of nice roads and canyons around here which make life sweeter haha
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