K member stiffening

[B-Body 70]

Hi all, what’s the best way to stiffen these k members up? Man mine on my 69 charger been through hell had to weld it up where it bolts to frame and motor mounts bolt loose.welded holes etc I’m thinking to weld it all up to make it stronger the factory welds looks like a beginner welded them. What do you think mopar group?
Tony

 

[jimbosride]

Firm feel has a kit

 

[B-Body 70]

I read kern dogs post once him saying he stiffened his up I don’t see any kits like the lower control arm plates etc. I’ll check it out. I appreciate your response and information!!
Tony

 

[ckessel]

If you have some tools, welder, pieces of steel, time etc, you can do what I did.

 

[ckessel]

More

 

[ckessel]

And yet more.

 

[ckessel]

Plus a skid plate. From the factory, the K had around 40 or so plug welds. I added in over 120. Used a Blair Rotabroach[ hole cutter] set to cut through one layer with the exception of the Idler Arm mount. Two layers there with different sizes. Cut pockets below the lower control arm shaft sleeve so I could get both ends of it welded as much as possible. On the control arm side of the sleeve and the nut side, added structural steel washers to give more contact area and welded them all up. Where the strut rod goes, I boxed that in on the sides and top. Top you can see where I plug welded to the boxing pieces. Nut side you can see where I added plug welds to the oe reinforcement plate. At the ears where the K bolts to the front rails, punched holes there too to plug weld the two layers together. Skid plate is self explanatory. I had that K tanked twice and there was still grunge in the seams which would boil out when welding. Thats when I got the torch out. Burned the rest out so I could finish.

 

[ckessel]

Later on here, I added in reinforcement pieces around the steering box mount. Also finally had the chance to trim off the excess material from the engine mount brackets. Partially just because and the other to gain more clearance for the oil line from the pump to the pan. Milodon external pickup road race pan. So, have your pick of ideas. There is plenty to do and is all up to you on how far you go, or how much time you spend.

 

[B-Body 70]

Later on here, I added in reinforcement pieces around the steering box mount. Also finally had the chance to trim off the excess material from the engine mount brackets. Partially just because and the other to gain more clearance for the oil line from the pump to the pan. Milodon external pickup road race pan. So, have your pick of ideas. There is plenty to do and is all up to you on how far you go, or how much time you spend.

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[B-Body 70]

Man, that’s the way I do **** over the top. Good advise and your member is bad *** I bet you have some horse power as well.
Thanks!!

 

[ckessel]

Has the power for sure and I intend to have fun at Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, maybe Thunderhill and some autocross/solo fun. Might hit Famosa just because but I have way more fun in the twisty stuff. The K-frame is just the tip of the iceberg for my 65. Lots done and more to come. No show poodle or trailer queen.

 

[B-Body 70]

Has the power for sure and I intend to have fun at Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, maybe Thunderhill and some autocross/solo fun. Might hit Famosa just because but I have way more fun in the twisty stuff. The K-frame is just the tip of the iceberg for my 65. Lots done and more to come. No show poodle or trailer queen.

I get that. Drive that F…r! Have fun!!
Cool!!

 

[ckessel]

If you're up for 30 pages of reading, here it is.
Updating the Super Street Mopar

 

[Kern Dog]

I read kern dogs post once him saying he stiffened his up I don’t see any kits like the lower control arm plates etc. I’ll check it out. I appreciate your response and information!!
Tony

I added gussets around every open area. Does it help? I don't know but it makes sense to reinforce areas that seem like they could flex. If you have a soft suspension and skinny tires, you may not be stressing the steering box mounts enough to warrant any improvements.
However....
If you are into cornering and want better response, this sort of thing probably does help. Take a look at the open spaces here:

The steering box mount was ripe for improvements. I had the K member out in the Summer of 2022.

Make note of the areas that are not open anymore.

Reinforced hole where the lower control arm attaches...

Of course, I like to turn corners far more than run a quarter mile.

 

[B-Body 70]

I added gussets around every open area. Does it help? I don't know but it makes sense to reinforce areas that seem like they could flex. If you have a soft suspension and skinny tires, you may not be stressing the steering box mounts enough to warrant any improvements.
However....
If you are into cornering and want better response, this sort of thing probably does help. Take a look at the open spaces here:

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The steering box mount was ripe for improvements. I had the K member out in the Summer of 2022.

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Make note of the areas that are not open anymore.

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Reinforced hole where the lower control arm attaches...

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Of course, I like to turn corners far more than run a quarter mile.

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Much respect. I read your stuff all the time I think we’re in the same state you are close to me. I used to hang with one wild R/T.
Thanks!! Good info taken in.
Tony

 

[ckessel]

Randy is good people.

 

[B-Body 70]

Randy is good people.

Yes he is doing this since the 70s a lot of knowledge!!

 

[493 Mike]

And yet more.

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Looks like you are prepping for a Cummins swap!
Mike

 

[QuickBpBp]

How should this one be stiffened up?

 

[B-Body 70]

How should this one be stiffened up?View attachment 1835051

QA-1