I need (FRAME) help!!

[Aero426]

I would recommend you wait for the AMD parts or the real OEM rails.   I don't have personal experience with the Goodmark rails, but based on comments on some of their other items, I will not buy them.    The B-body outer wheelhouse is one specific part that is incorrect and doesn't fit right.   

I know you are excited about your new car,  and it has been one thing after another - but my opinion is that you need to take your time here.  Get the right parts and have them properly installed.   

[jb666]

I would recommend you wait for the AMD parts or the real OEM rails.   I don't have personal experience with the Goodmark rails, but based on comments on some of their other items, I will not buy them.    The B-body outer wheelhouse is one specific part that is incorrect and doesn't fit right.   

I know you are excited about your new car,  and it has been one thing after another - but my opinion is that you need to take your time here.  Get the right parts and have them properly installed.   

Well, I just called AMD back to see if the other sales rep was exaggerating.. He told me "No, he wasn't, he was being generous, we're actually looking at June 2009".

I'll be taking my chances with another vendor (or OEM/USED).

[Big_John]

http://store.shermanparts.com/cgi-bin/sherman/product_list.html?img_num=171

They show them to be in stock.

[jb666]

http://store.shermanparts.com/cgi-bin/sherman/product_list.html?img_num=171

They show them to be in stock.

I'll call them now! Thanks John!

[Ghoste]

Late jumping in but when you were talking to "her" on the phone at Jims, I'm surprised that didn't turn you off right there.  "She" must have got lucky the night before because her phone manners generally rate somewhere right around evil pig to disgusting hag.

[Mike DC]

 
As a general note about replacing framerails, buying a whole used subframe section is usually the best way to do this if your originals are toast.  You may be wanting to splice it if the metal is solid except the rear end (like a foot or less), but that's about the only time I'd consider a partial swap. 



There are reproductions out there, both partials and whole rails.  But the metal quality of the repros (of any panel) is almost never what the original stuff was no matter what they say in the advertising.  This is a loadbearing item and it can still be found used for a reasonable price.  So think hard before you jump straight to using the replacement stuff.



And when you buy a used clip, you can get the entire thing still welded together as a lump.  So IMHO this is definitely the way to go if you're gonna be replacing so much of the rails that the rear shock crossmember & spring mounts & everthing have to be reattached/replaced. 

It takes some money to de-floor a used clip and re-floor it into/inside the new car.  But on the other hand you're not trusting the new shop to weld all those various loadbearing things back together again.  When you replace the whole section you're keeping a lot of loadbearing (and chassis-shaping) parts and welds that the factory did correctly.  It's just one great big lump of stuff, either it's lined up or it's not. 

 

[gasoline_24]

I was lucky to find an entire rear section in great shape and I would recommend going this way also.  AMD is great, but if you need something now you have a whole lot of options as all the B body rear frame rails from 68-70 should work and possibly even the 66-67, but not sure on those.  I highly recommend the whole section.  I was able to blast the entire frame prime the inside frame rails and undercoat them for some additional protection.  I should be good for another 50 years with this much protection.  This is much better than anything the factory did and unless you remove the entire frame you cannot do this.  Just my 

[Mike DC]

All the B-bodies from 1966-1970 share their front & rear subframes.  Even if you're swapping from a 4dr station wagon to a 2dr convertible as far as I know.  There may be a few odd exhaust brackets to change or some bolt holes drilled in the wrong places here and there, but the basic rails & crossmembers really didn't change in that whole stretch of time. 

This is why decent used parts can still be found affordably even for something like a highly desirable 2nd-gen Charger. 

 

[jb666]

Thanks for the help and advice here guys, it's really making my decision making easy 

[jb666]

Frame rails arrived today and are excellent, thanks again for the help, guys..

The entire back end of this car is apart.. Fuel tank supports, shock cross member, trunk support, and everything in between was TRASH. A 200LB box is arriving tomorrow and the reconstruction will begin..

The "subframe connectors" in this car were a joke and were an example of why HACKS shouldn't touch a welder.. They are out and real subframe connectors (through the floor) are installed/welded in place now..

It's coming together..


The guy doing this work is amazing.. His welds are a work of art, I'm really looking forward to this car being built RIGHT.









and yes, the quarters are next.. But check out the driver's side rear frame rail 

[Hemidog]

Good thing you're saving this car right! 

Looks like you need a rear crossmember aswell.

[jb666]

Good thing you're saving this car right! 

Looks like you need a rear crossmember aswell.

Yep, that's out too.. 

Some of these "restoration shops" should be shut down for fraud 

[69bronzeT5]

Its probally been mentioned but who made the frame rails?

[jb666]

I got them from Texas Acres. 

[Steve P.]

I just came across this thread and while reading it I was taken back when you said Texas Acres DIDN'T HAVE ANY... They probably have hundreds of sets there. I wonder if the person you talked to the first time was new.. Hahaha... I have even seen pics. of stacks of "B" frame rails there.... 


Glad to hear it's all coming together for ya.  And yes, a welder that knows what he is doing makes ALL the difference....  Tip him nicely when he's done...

[jb666]

I just came across this thread and while reading it I was taken back when you said Texas Acres DIDN'T HAVE ANY... They probably have hundreds of sets there. I wonder if the person you talked to the first time was new.. Hahaha... I have even seen pics. of stacks of "B" frame rails there.... 


Glad to hear it's all coming together for ya.  And yes, a welder that knows what he is doing makes ALL the difference....  Tip him nicely when he's done...

The first guy I talked to said they didn't have any.. Someone called back a day later and asked if I was still looking, that they had "many sets".

[Steve P.]

I figured as much....  Did you end up with enough good steel for good penetration or did you have to add steel?

[jb666]

I figured as much....  Did you end up with enough good steel for good penetration or did you have to add steel?

It had to be reinforced, but they were in really nice shape.