I have a set of sub-frame connectors and I was just wandering if I should weld them in while the suspension is loaded or should I put the car up on jack-stands and weld them in that way? the body shop guy told me to install theme with the suspension loaded. I just wanted to get a second apenion. thanx.
my fabricator just jacked up the car and put jackstands under the suspension. then welded everything up. he's been working on cars since the first funny cars and prostocks.
I have a 115a flux core weilder. It's sappose weild upto 1/8 or 3/16" steel. I don't know if it's enuff but if it's not I might have to find someone else to do it.
I've wielded periodicly I've just never wielded on anything like this... I just hope that it'll hold...
david, where you at in az? i can get 2 pieces of metal to stick together. but when it comes to stuff like that i let a pro do it. had mine put on the same time he did my roll bars.
Laying down, welding overhead is a pretty tough position. Your welder can probably do it, you'll just have to take your time with it and do it right. When I weld mine in, it's probably going to be on a rotisserie.
You know anyone with a lift (the type with the ramps that you drive on, not the type that lift on the body points)? If not, jack the car up and put it on ramps. This will load the suspension just the way it sits on the pavement. It should also give you enough room to get under the car to weld them in. I'd weld them in myself if I were you. Your welds don't have to be beautiful in this case. If a weld fails, it's not like the rollcage giving up on you. The worst case is that they will fall off of the car. Not the ideal situation, but not catastrophic either! Grind the area good before you start welding to get a good clean surface, and make it happen! Later,
When I put mine on years ago, I ran a bolt down through the floor, through the connector, and put a nut on it. No possible way they'd fall off. Keep in mind that if something was to happen and one fell off the front only, it "could" act like a catapoult (spelling??). Not likely, but that's what I was thinking when I bolted mine. You couldn't see the bolt under the carpet, nor from underneath...unless you looked for it REAL close. Yeah, weld 'em on with the suspension loaded, preferably with your body weight in the driver's seat. It's not that critical though. Either way you do it is MUCH better than not having them at all!
When I put the set of "Starns Bars" on my '69.5, the welder put the stands under the rear end and front lower control arms, and leveled the car with a tram bar. This levels it front to rear and side to side. Sure makes the car handle much better, and got rid of the twist you could feel in the body when you take off from a standing start. Best mod I made to the car.
