Want to pick your minds

[71wrenchhead]

ok so, i have already posted this on DC.com
but, i want to hear some more opinions, and hopefully drag out any potential problems with my idea so i can try and figure out what to do about them

the basics
71 charger
frame rails are shot, like, gone
i dont care about the time, or skill required to do this, though it will be done with safety as the driving principle

The idea
using .090 or .083 3x5 rectangular tube steel to create a perimeter frame, and then welding said frame to the body of the car.

essentially, i will be following the stock frame rails as a main design, and adding onto that design inorder to create a perimeter frame.

i will also be eliminating the k frame and instead using the tubing to create my mounting points for the engine, suspension and so on.

What i want to know.
good idea?
bad idea?
pros?
cons?
anything, please, let me know your opinions, like i said, i want to hear all the issues with this idea so that i can either solve them, or scrap the entire idea.

thanks for the help!

 

[Sonny Black]

you are building your own chassis!....engineering your own integrity in the "framework"
what's not to like?
best of luck ...I could not undertake this 'cause time, skill, etc.....

just do it.

you have the brains here on this site to "help"

sonny

 

[71wrenchhead]

well, unfortunately im currently deployed, which is why im asking on all these sites now so i can get right to work once i get back stateside.

but yes, the gameplan is to get home, build up a rig, and build the frame, and put it through some tests while its off the car, and see how that works.
hopefully i can help some people out in this area as i found myself in it when i looked at the price of new frame rails.

thank you sonny for the self esteem boost!
i will make sure to document ever single step as i create this thing.

any complications that you can see arising?

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I would give the guys at Magnum Force a call, this is what they do all day long. I am sure since your location they would give you some tips on how to do it right and what you will need. They sell tubular everything.

http://www.magnumforceracing.com/

Good Luck!

 

[roadrunnerman]

are you taking out the stock frames and putting your own in their place?There are several members here that have been doing some amazing work with their frame fabrications.Also i think the guys on the racers forum would be able to answer a lot of questions,since i'm sure they do framework themselves. good luck

 

[MarPar]

well, unfortunately im currently deployed, which is why im asking on all these sites now so i can get right to work once i get back stateside.

but yes, the gameplan is to get home, build up a rig, and build the frame, and put it through some tests while its off the car, and see how that works.
hopefully i can help some people out in this area as i found myself in it when i looked at the price of new frame rails.

thank you sonny for the self esteem boost!
i will make sure to document ever single step as i create this thing.

any complications that you can see arising?

first off..thank you for your Service, Sir.

if you have the proper welding and fabricating skills, hell ya you could do it!!

i am not a welder or fabricator by any means, but i have learned a helluva lot from the restoration threads on this site. lotsa great minds who love to help if you ask!!!

good luck, and i'll be watching!!!!

btw...let me plant a seed...what kind of motor you thinkin??? 500"+ stroker??? bwaaaaahahahaha!!!

 

[71wrenchhead]

i do have the welding and fabrication skills, and i have looked into the racer side of things, definetally a lot of info on there, which is basically where this whole idea sort of got started.
i guess my main question or problem doesnt come from is it able to be done, but more, is it possible to do this, and not mess up any of the things i need to properly restore it.

its not going to be a stripped out racecar
i want ac, heated seats, so on so forth.
and i just dont want to have to fight with every single piece inorder to get them to fall into place. just hoping some of you guys on here have anything to input about that

 

[67 coronet]

if you have the confidence,which you appear too,then it shouldnt be any real problem.i have built many street rods and race cars from scratch.about the biggest thing to watch for is placement of items(the need for bolt holes and mounting points)needs to be planned out prior to building.mostly if you want a stock type look you need to plan out where stuff will go.with a little common sence it should be no problem.good luck and have fun!