Frame stiffening.
 

I have a 66 F100 that is getting a CV front end swap. While it is a bare frame I want to stiffen the frame, and I have another frame to pirate braces from.

So far I welded the existing braces, and added a bit of triangulation to the stock items.

What else would you guys recommend with-in reason to stiffen the frame, and where would you place them?

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Go back and start with a General Motors frame since this is a CHEVY/GMC ie: GENERAL MOTORS discussion site. I'm sure there is a ford forum to discuss ford crap somewhere.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

That is a crappy attitude.....the guy has been around for a while and made over 400 posts. Maybe he has more than one vehicle and seeks the help of people who have been trustworthy and dare I say nice?

While I am not at all familiar with the frame you have, my first thought is "boxing". If the frame is the typical C-channel, capping the open area will stiffen it quite a bit. It doesn't have to be everywhere to help. If you cover the suspension pick-up points , it may be enough.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Could you post some pictures of your frame?

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

I would box the frame in the area around the clip, and weld in tubes for the attachment bolts.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

The crown vic swap isn't a true clip its more of a bolt in crossmember once you box the front of the frame and weld in two crush sleeves pre side.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Point taken.
I apologize for my crappy attitude.
:smoke:

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

I currently do not have access to a computer enough for picture posting.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Currently it has 3 cross braces between the motor, and rear end.

For the old I-beam hair pins, the rear cab mount cross bar, and the cross brace for the leaf spring hangers. All of which have been welded in, and the rivets welded too.

I plan to add a cross brace over the front sway bar when I have the motor back in.

The rear cross braces will be welded in when I do up a Mustang tank swap.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Currently it has 3 cross braces between the motor, and rear end.

For the old I-beam hair pins, the rear cab mount cross bar, and the cross brace for the leaf spring hangers. All of which have been welded in, and the rivets welded too.

I plan to add a cross brace over the front sway bar when I have the motor back in.

The rear cross braces will be welded in when I do up a Mustang tank swap.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Does boxing the frame stop some of the twisting as I am not concerned with hauling weight anymore. Which is what I though most of the boxing was for anyways.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Read the "make it handle" thread. Rob suggests not welding bracing in the full length because it causes pressure at certain areas. If not done correctly it will cause the crossmembers to crack

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

I looked up the frame it reminds me of a 50s chevy frame pretty bare too.Take a look at these frames http://www.scottshotrods.com/Frames.asp i would build the center x brace like most of them have and you can use it for a trans mount too.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

I will have to do that after I get everything back in so I can take measurements. I am sure my exhaust guy can bend up some for me that will do the trick well enough.

So I thinking there are no simple answers here, and my time crunch is too tight for re-do's. I will make the trans mount beefier to help with the issue, and tie in the front cross member when its is all together. The that was support for the I beam hair pins.

This truck will be my DD when it get back on the road, and from what I found out when I got it. The motor is quite new in it. My C20 is dead, and needs a through rebuild. Not just the engine.

July 11th the body will be swapped over, and start hooking the brakes back up. The 15th and 16th the cross member, and motor will be bolted in.

I need to grab a Crown Vic rear axle, but I may substitute the 9 inch for a bit to have a roller. Cop CV's came with 3.23 gears, and I want 2.73's for a cheaper highway driving. So I will stretch it out to see if I can afford the switch. I rather do a Mustang tank swap, proper seat belts, and get sport buckets for the truck. 90's GTI's have good seats, and are an easy swap with new mounting brckets. Mustangs in my pick a part are often trashed compared to GTI's for some reason.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

The police crown vic 8.8 had a lsd and thicker rear disc brakes too.Maybe grab the driveshaft to if its long enough its alum on the cop cars.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

That is the one I am looking at.

The good thing is that early and late CV's share the same breaks

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

You gonna use the rear suspension off one too or just the rear end?

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Just the rear end. The rear suspension mounting is to wide, and for the effort I either do a parallel or triangulated 4 link.

Also it is an un-equal length 4 link so it will have pinion changes, and is probably a design compromise of the CV.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

The 92-97 used a triangulated 4 link so you could work off the factory mounts maybe.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

Probably not. The mounts are welded on, and would require more effort then I's care to expend to save them.

Plus the rear axle is narrower then the one I need, and would require mods to fit right.

Places sell basic mounts, and hell I could probably make some too.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

How wide of a rear end you need tho?Ford put the 8.8 in everything so your options are kinda limitless really.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

I started a topic about bracing my '66 C10's frame to keep it from flexing as much. Some info there about how C channel frames flex.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=frame+bracing


It twist up pretty bad with just one rear bag inflated. I'm planning on autocrossing it so I've started building X braces to keep the frame from flexing as badly.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/3167c529.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/59d5da08.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/ed948c47.jpg

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

03 and later CV 8.8. It matches my front, and with small spacers perfect.

Re: Frame stiffening.
 

That is a good idea. I will check that out when I have the drive train, and in for final measurements.