Aftermarket Tubular B-body K-frames

[superduperbee]

I'm planning to replace my original K-frame with one of the aftermarket tubular ones, to save weight, use coilovers etc. . I've seen 3 or 4 different ones advertised in Mopar Action and Mopar Muscle, and was wondering if anyone has info or experience with these as far as strength.Anyone heard of any failures? Ray

[71charger_fan]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,39140.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,26380.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,37357.0.html

[suntech]

As far as i know you have at least 3 choices, as a complete kit.

The RMS one, from            www.reillymotorsports.com   
The XV level II, from          www.xvmotorsports.com
Magnuforce, from              www.magnumforce.com

I have a friend (Norwaycharger) that has the RMS one, and he is happy with it, and impressed with the quality, fit and very good instructions.

The one from Magnumforce looks nice, but IMO not very suitable for a car that gets driven a lot. It does not have engine mounts on the K frame, so you will need the forward strut kit, both to hold the shock towers in place, and for the motor mount plate.

The XV level II is a complete aluminum unit, and very nice! In my opinion the best one.

Magnumforce and XV reqiure welding of braces etc, so it is not a bolt on deal.

Good luck
Rolf

[superduperbee]

I'm using the car for drag racing only, no street driving. My main concern is, if I come down hard off the wheelie bars, I don't want the front end turning into a pretzel. I have a motor plate so motor mounts not a concern, just strength/weight. Ray

[Charger74]

I would say then to go with the RMS unit.  It have been proven to handle hard, wheel-pulling, hard dropping launchs for several years now.  Bill has sold many that will swear their lives on them for racing.

[suntech]

For road and pro touring XV is my favorite, but for drag i could not say

[superduperbee]

The RMS looks good. I can order  it without motor mounts. I had to chop the driver side mount off my K-frame for clearance for the Milodon dual line  oil system .RMS  Looks like there might even be enough clearance to run a dragster oil pan too, that would be nice! Now, if I can unload my 77 Daytona to pay for all of it! Thanks for the info guys. Ray

[GT]

I recently ordered and recieved an RMS unit after significant research.  Call Bill and talk to him - he will set you up right.  I went with no motor mounts as well as I'm fitting a V10 in a b-body.

I was a little worried about strength until the unit arrived - WOW.  It's made of square tubing and 3/8", 1/4", and 1/2" plate steel.  Significant stronger than the stock Kframe - no question.  Beautiful welds and it was a direct bolt in.  Only a couple of mods required: removing necessary bump stops depending on body type, and drilling holes for brackes for the upper shock towers.

Bill "steered" me into the following options: 550Lb springs, power rack, sway bar, no mounts, no brakes, 3-u joint setup, and spring bearings.  He also spec'd out and sold me the correct length/configuration of flaming river steering column since I was switching from automatic to manual.

The unit uses Mustang II spindles - so your brake options are almost endless.  Everyone sells upgrades for these spindles. 

Good luck!

[superduperbee]

I have just posted some pictures of the car in" Got a picture of your charger? Post Up" on page 69. Hemi-Hampton posted some in the 71 Super Bee V2 with orange and black interior thread. Ray

[superduperbee]

After talking to a couple guys at a local cruise night I went with the Magnumforce setup. The guys I talked to said they had to do all kinds of cutting drilling, fabricating and change things around to install the RMS on their 3rd generation Chargers, and said, it was a nightmare.
  The magnumforce K-frame bolted right up, even when I tried it with the old factory bolts. So far I've found out the steering rack is easier to install before bolting the K-frame up, and the rack also hits the oil filter mounting plate on my monster Milodon oil pump. Not a problem though as I have a remote dual filter setup. I just need to switch pump covers for the 10AN lines. I'm in the middle of the install right now, waiting on the backordered shocks. Magnumforce's  phone is either full of messages or just rings and rings when trying to find out when the shocks will be shipped, emailed a week ago too, no response, so I guess I just have to sit and wait.

[superduperbee]

Here's the install so far. I will get the upper arms, spindles and rod ends on sometime this week while waiting for the shocks to arrive. These are really nice parts. I spent an afternoon with red scotch-brite pads roughing everything up to paint. Check out the billet adapter for the coil-overs. You can see how close the rack-n-pinion is to the oil pump in the photos, new pump cover coming. I'm saving up for the Wilwood 4-wheel disk brakes.

[Mopar2Ya]

Is the CAP kframe any good?

[71charger_fan]

I'm very happy with my CAP installation. It doesn't come with sway bar brackets. On mine, the shop doing the install welded plates on the bottom. Then drilled and tapped them and used the original bushing retainers to locate the sway bar.

You can see some of it in a photo in this thread: http://wichargerguy.proboards101.com/index.cgi?board=engine&action=display&thread=434&page=1

[Rolling_Thunder]

I hope your Magnumforce stuff works better than their shit that i put on a 71 Challenger

[superduperbee]

Is the CAP kframe any good?

I've seen a couple cars with the CAP setup, including a big block A-body street car. The guys were pretty happy with them. I wanted to get rid of the torsion bars though, always a pain to work around, so I had 2 choices. I can switch to a 12 qt. dragster oil pan later with all the extra clearance now.

[Lostsheep]

Here's the install so far. I will get the upper arms, spindles and rod ends on sometime this week while waiting for the shocks to arrive. These are really nice parts. I spent an afternoon with red scotch-brite pads roughing everything up to paint. Check out the billet adapter for the coil-overs. You can see how close the rack-n-pinion is to the oil pump in the photos, new pump cover coming. I'm saving up for the Wilwood 4-wheel disk brakes.

Wow.....that looks great!!!

[superduperbee]

Here's the install so far. I will get the upper arms, spindles and rod ends on sometime this week while waiting for the shocks to arrive. These are really nice parts. I spent an afternoon with red scotch-brite pads roughing everything up to paint. Check out the billet adapter for the coil-overs. You can see how close the rack-n-pinion is to the oil pump in the photos, new pump cover coming. I'm saving up for the Wilwood 4-wheel disk brakes.

Wow.....that looks great!!!

Thanks, I thought the Gunmetal Grey would contrast well with all the aluminum and black. I wrestled with the upper arms this morning, really tight fit, have to squeeze the bushings in there somehow.

[superduperbee]

I hope your Magnumforce stuff works better than their shit that i put on a 71 Challenger

Hey Rolling Thunder.....What kind of problems did you have with the Challenger?

[Rolling_Thunder]

I hope your Magnumforce stuff works better than their shit that i put on a 71 Challenger

Hey Rolling Thunder.....What kind of problems did you have with the Challenger?

Aside from the K member not bolting up and no customer service from that company and the questionable welds on the sway bar and the poor fit of mounting tabs for the sway bar...     ummmm   nothing.

[chargerman68]

I hope your Magnumforce stuff works better than their shit that i put on a 71 Challenger

Hey Rolling Thunder.....What kind of problems did you have with the Challenger?

Aside from the K member not bolting up and no customer service from that company and the questionable welds on the sway bar and the poor fit of mounting tabs for the sway bar...     ummmm   nothing.

got to love overhaulin tv.....

[superduperbee]

I hope your Magnumforce stuff works better than their shit that i put on a 71 Challenger

Hey Rolling Thunder.....What kind of problems did you have with the Challenger?

Aside from the K member not bolting up and no customer service from that company and the questionable welds on the sway bar and the poor fit of mounting tabs for the sway bar...     ummmm   nothing.

Yeah, I understand the lack of customer service. Tried calling again about the back ordered shocks got the "Messages Full" again. Someone finally learned to weld I guess, all mine look good.

[chargerman68]

Was going to order one of these from them but the guy on the phone was blowing me off cause i was asking a ton of questions....all he told me was just go and look online......


very bad customer service

[superduperbee]

Was going to order one of these from them but the guy on the phone was blowing me off cause i was asking a ton of questions....all he told me was just go and look online......


very bad customer service

Someone should try and buy the place out. While they offer an excellent product, you can't stay in business very long blowing off all your customers. I was going to order the 4-wheel disc brake setup from them, but will be getting it from Summit Racing instead. Still waiting for the shocks 3 weeks after promised.

[suntech]

I was going to buy a front end from Magnumforce, and asked them to come up with an offer, with delivery time ect, together with bankdetails etc. Took them 5 weeks to come up with that, and in the meantime i found out about XV, so i went with their level II instead,
I hate when you are calling, and want to spend money somewhere, and they just keep you waiting like that
I am happy with the service i get at XV, and i have heard just good things about Bill Reilly too. On the other hand i have heard bad things about Magnumforce before too!!

[hemi-hampton]

SO, Dickinskin is it all in yet    LEON.








shhhiiittttmmaaammmaaaaaa

[superduperbee]

SO, Dickinskin is it all in yet    LEON.








shhhiiittttmmaaammmaaaaaa

I noticed the angle was way off on the passenger side upper control arm.  The jackasses put the ball joint in upside down I will have to put it in the right way then flip the control arm over, still waiting on the shocks , no answer to email.....no one answering phones. Just painted the spindles tonight, will install tomorrow and post pics. I looked through the Summit catalog and found the brake setup that works with the Mustang II spindles. Summit has free shipping too.

[superduperbee]

Here's the setup. My Detroit muffler hanger is keeping the stress off the steering rack till WHENEVER the shocks show up.

[superduperbee]

SO, Dickinskin is it all in yet    LEON.








shhhiiittttmmaaammmaaaaaa

I noticed the angle was way off on the passenger side upper control arm.  The jackasses put the ball joint in upside down I will have to put it in the right way then flip the control arm over, still waiting on the shocks , no answer to email.....no one answering phones. Just painted the spindles tonight, will install tomorrow and post pics. I looked through the Summit catalog and found the brake setup that works with the Mustang II spindles. Summit has free shipping too.

Here Leon.......a picture is worth a thousand words how's that for steering geometry?

[hemi-hampton]

CUSTOM   Is that a Muffler hanger or Coat hanger. Dont damage your muffler bearings

[superduperbee]

CUSTOM   Is that a Muffler hanger or Coat hanger. Dont damage your muffler bearings

That's good old fashioned Detroit muffler hanger , fresh from the dry cleaners

[superduperbee]

4 weeks now and still waiting on the shocks. No response to email, no one answering the phone.

[hemi-hampton]

When nobody answers the phone or e-mails, how were you able to order them in the first place

[superduperbee]

When nobody answers the phone or e-mails, how were you able to order them in the first place

They answered the phone  when I wanted to order, answered my questions and took my money. Mabey they check the caller ID then push a button to send calls they don't want to answer somewhere else?

[superduperbee]

Finally got them on the phone today. Someone forgot to leave him a note about the shocks? He apologized and promised to send the parts. The control arm can not be flipped over either. I removed the ball joint and the arm is only threaded halfway down, also cut for the rubber boot on the one side. So I got 2 driver side control arms. That means someone else got 2 passenger side ones around the same time. So waiting for the right control arm as well as the shocks At least I have other things to work on while I wait.

[superduperbee]

5 weeks and still waiting for shocks and correct control arm.

[hemi-hampton]

    WAAAAAAAA

[superduperbee]

  WAAAAAAAA

6 weeks........................................

[superduperbee]

I have emailed Magnumforce 3 times in the past 2 weeks. 2 times were to send photos of the incorrect control arm so he could 'verify' that they sent me the wrong part. The other one was to check on the shocks I was suppose to get nearly 2 months ago. No reply to any of the emails, no parts yet. Luckily I'm not in a big hurry to drive this car.

[hemi-hampton]

It's only been what, 20 years

[WingCharger]

So, of the three options you have for tubular front suspensions, which one do you think would be most suited for a daily driver vehicle, with, lets say, a new 5.7L Hemi in it?
I saw these on a car a while back in a magazine, and have really become interested in them. Dont know why?

[Blown70]

Alterkon (spelling) from Reileys.  However, there BEAV, you dont have a car yet I would not be worried, I would suggest staying with the stock suspension.

https://www.reillymotorsports.com/

You will spend for most complete (including brakes) $4,000 to 6,000.

If you get your stock one set good I do NOT See the need for it.

Tom

[WingCharger]

Alterkon (spelling) from Reileys.  However, there BEAV, you dont have a car yet I would not be worried, I would suggest staying with the stock suspension.

https://www.reillymotorsports.com/

You will spend for most complete (including brakes) $4,000 to 6,000.

If you get your stock one set good I do NOT See the need for it.

Tom

Okay!

I kinda have an idea. Since I am young now, I if I get a charger anytime soon, I will just build a complete, low buck, junkyard 383 or 440, bored and a big cam, and get it running, and fix any structurally dangerous rust. Throw on a Janek wing too. No nose or anything else. I want to do the big buck resto, daytona clone, and 5.7L swap when I get older, and have some cash.

Keeping the rust and bad paint, but put a big motor in, ultimate sleeper. "You want to race THAT Civic?"

[superduperbee]

It's only been what, 20 years

How's that Bengal coming along?

[superduperbee]

So, of the three options you have for tubular front suspensions, which one do you think would be most suited for a daily driver vehicle, with, lets say, a new 5.7L Hemi in it?
I saw these on a car a while back in a magazine, and have really become interested in them. Dont know why?

While I think the Magnumforce setup is great and well engineered, I would not recommend anyone doing business with that company. I have been waiting 2 months for shocks. The owner has not answered emails or returned phone calls. I will probably buy an upper control arm from another company since I will probably never get the correct one sent. I will probably have to buy shocks somewhere else as well, just so I can put the car on the ground and move it around to work on it.

[hemi-hampton]

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

So, of the three options you have for tubular front suspensions, which one do you think would be most suited for a daily driver vehicle, with, lets say, a new 5.7L Hemi in it?
I saw these on a car a while back in a magazine, and have really become interested in them. Dont know why?

While I think the Magnumforce setup is great and well engineered, I would not recommend anyone doing business with that company. I have been waiting 2 months for shocks. The owner has not answered emails or returned phone calls. I will probably buy an upper control arm from another company since I will probably never get the correct one sent. I will probably have to buy shocks somewhere else as well, just so I can put the car on the ground and move it around to work on it.

Their product does not overcome the problems with customer service...    agreed

[superduperbee]

Has been 2 months now. I'll be looking up the California attorney general and better businesses to see about filing complaints against this company.

[NMike]

call your credit card company for a charge-back. just figure out the total for the one arm and the shocks. i bet you'll get a better response.

[superduperbee]

call your credit card company for a charge-back. just figure out the total for the one arm and the shocks. i bet you'll get a better response.

Sent a cashier's check so no charge back. I will send a copy of my invoice and cancelled check to the attorney general. I'm sure I can't be the only one with this problem?

[superduperbee]

Someone on the site has offered to sell me a set of arms. Is there any difference between 70 and 71 Charger upper control arms?

[Rolling_Thunder]

sorry to hear about your troubles man...         Magnumforce is a company that has been on my shit list for a while now...    just like indy, march, mopar performance, year one...    ect.

[superduperbee]

sorry to hear about your troubles man...         Magnumforce is a company that has been on my shit list for a while now...    just like indy, march, mopar performance, year one...    ect.

They will be on more than a shit list this time. I'm getting the forms to file complaints to the Attorney General, better business and whoever oversees state to state commerce.

[Rolling_Thunder]

good - seems that is the only way to get a company to snap shit and do their jobs now adays.   

[GT]

Rolling Thunder - Here is FSM page from moparts that shows the part numbers.  64-72 B-bodies use the same upper control arm.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/susp/img/rontsuspension_06.jpg

I hope that magnumforce sends you your stuff - this is total BS.   You should try to reverse the charges. 

Like I said, I've had my magnumforce arms in storage for a while - they will be here if you need them.  I won't be using them due to the Alterkation I purchased for my v10 setup.

Hope it works out for ya!
GT

[superduperbee]

Rolling Thunder - Here is FSM page from moparts that shows the part numbers.  64-72 B-bodies use the same upper control arm.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/susp/img/rontsuspension_06.jpg

I hope that magnumforce sends you your stuff - this is total BS.   You should try to reverse the charges. 

Like I said, I've had my magnumforce arms in storage for a while - they will be here if you need them.  I won't be using them due to the Alterkation I purchased for my v10 setup.

Hope it works out for ya!
GT

I will let you know when I can come up with the money for the arms. I sent Magnumforce a cashiers check 3 months ago, so no charges to reverse, best I can hope for is a refund on what I didn't get. Hopefully this thread will keep others from getting screwed like I did. If anyone would like to post this thread on other Mopar sites, I give you my blessing.

[hemi-hampton]

Sounds like you only got half of what you ordered, Donna calls that Half & Half

[superduperbee]

Sounds like you only got half of what you ordered, Donna calls that Half & Half

Haven't heard from you in a while, you sneaking off with Donna again?

[superduperbee]

Waiting to hear from Attorney General, complaint filed against magnumforce.

[superduperbee]

I got a post card from the Attorney General in the mail this past week, said my problem was being "looked into". By some strange COINCIDENCE...........my shocks arrived the same day. Will my control arm arrive soon as well?

[Rolling_Thunder]

its funny how investigations and potential lawsuits get people to do their job isnt it ?   

[hemi-hampton]

Thats good news, Now get the thing running, I'm tired of waiting

[superduperbee]

Thats good news, Now get the thing running, I'm tired of waiting

Electrical, brakes and a couple odds & ends and it's time for some wheelies

[Mopar2Ya]

Is the consensus that for street use nothing beats a stock/reinforced K-frame? Does anybody besides FF do K-frame reinforcing? How many have reinforced their own K-frame?

[superduperbee]

So after 6 months the shocks are going on and a control arm is coming from another source. After the problems from this vendor [and I use the term loosely] and a few other scoundrels in the Mopar hobby, I have decided this is my last Mopar, adios buds!

[WingCharger]

So after 6 months the shocks are going on and a control arm is coming from another source. After the problems from this vendor [and I use the term loosely] and a few other scoundrels in the Mopar hobby, I have decided this is my last Mopar, adios buds!

Dude, that sucks.
I hate it when people screw other people out of stuff for their pride-and-joy just to make a buck.

[superduperbee]

MAGNUMFORCE UPDATE! I received an email from Brian at Magnumforce apologizing for the 'problems' with my order, promises to send the other control arm

[69bronzeT5]

That's excellent

[Big Sugar]

I sent Ron Jenkins (MagnumForce) a link to this thread, a few weeks back and let him know how disapointed I was that this was going on, definatly not good for business. Certainly Hope he  remembers how tight knit a community we are.


Ron

[superduperbee]

What also sucks is my car has been  backed up against the garage wall the past 6 months with no suspension. I need to pull the rear bumper to finish the bodywork. I sold the stock parts to finance the new stuff.

[superduperbee]

The other control arm showed up today. It appears to be the correct one. I will test fit it tomorrow

[superduperbee]

The control arm fits. FINALLY got all the parts. So brakes, wiring harness, paint and a few odds & ends and it will be done

[69bronzeT5]

Awesome! We need pics

[superduperbee]

Got the other control arm on today . Had to paint it indoors last week Waiting for spring!

[Foreman72]

can't wait to see how it all turns out...

[autodynamics]

pics pics pics!!!

[Hemidog]

pics pics pics!!!

what he said!

[dangina]

bump for pics!

[charger2fast4u]

since this thread has been brought back to life i figured i'd ask some questions about the XV, Magnumforce and RMS k frames i'll be purchasing a k frame by this summer. does anyone know if they sell just the bare k frame? no upper or lower arms steering or anything just the k frame like in this link    http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/fareve.html i have a custom suspension setup i want to go with and don't need any of this except for the main frame. also are all of these units built the same in the upper and lower control arm area in the measurments  same widths of everything example of what i'm referring to if i had any of these bare k frames and got tubular control arms from firmfeel CAP ect would they bolt up?