My Firm Feel K-frame rebuild pics

[bull]

I recently got my K-frame and Stage 2 steering box back from Firm Feel and then took the frame in to get media blasted and powder coated semi gloss black. Firm Feel welded up all the seams and reinforced the steering box/engine mounts, etc. I think it turned out pretty good. I didn't get a chance to blow off the excess media and wipe off the raindrops before taking the pics so it isn't "show ready" as they say but you get the idea.

[bull]

 

[Nacho-RT74]

it looks really nice specially with the LCA shaft hole reinforcement job!

[bull]

it looks really nice specially with the LCA shaft hole reinforcement job!

They really need it IMO. One of the strut rod mounting holes on mine was partly caved in and torn so these areas definitely see more stress than they were designed to handle. There was at least one other crack in the K-frame and one of my LCAs was bent too. There's a lot of stress going on up front.

[tan top]

  nice K frame ! wish done that to mine now ,  i started doing some extra welds , then decided to leave it 

[68pplcharger]

Sweeeeet, I'm having them modify mine too

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

That is one good lookin' K

[charger2fast4u]

how much did they charge to reinforce the k frame? looks really good after it's been powder coated nice and new again. how much of a difference is this going to make in handling and stiffness? and compaired to the aftermaket tubular k frame swaps how much of a difference is there between the stock reinforced and the tubular aftermarket setups?

[bull]

They advertise it as costing $450 but there are variables. If your frame is unusually tweaked they might charge more but typically they charge $450. http://firmfeel.com/reinfkfram_b.htm And if you think that's extreme I can tell you I did some checking with some local welding shops to compare. When I described what I needed done they told me that considering the experience Firm Feel has with this type of project it would cost at least as much or more to go with a regular welding shop. You can always do it yourself but Firm Feel has a jig all set up so they can make sure the frames are straight and they know what needs to be reinforced and where. Firm Feel can also powder coat your frame for $125 but chances are you can get that done elsewhere for less. I paid $10 to have mine media blasted and $50 to have it powder coated so that part cost less than half.

All three steering box upgrades are $329. http://firmfeel.com/powerst_abe.htm I got the Stage 2 box which is comperable to the firmness of a typical modern car. A Stage 1 box is stock (as I understand it) and a Stage 3 is an autocross-type setup; very stiff.

All told I paid slightly more than $800 because my K-frame had a little more damage than an average.

[bull]

how much of a difference is this going to make in handling and stiffness? and compaired to the aftermaket tubular k frame swaps how much of a difference is there between the stock reinforced and the tubular aftermarket setups?

Regarding stiffness, I can't tell you which original version of frame would be more firm but I can say with certainty that the reinforced frames are going to be a far sight stronger than the originals simply because they are completely seam welded, the steering box mounts are reinforced and the LCA pin holes and strut rod holes are made roughly twice as thick as stock. They probably are stiffer but I'm more concerned about strength than stiffness. Maybe someone else can weigh in on the tubular frames because I don't know about them.

[8WHEELER]

That does look good, they sold you that skid plate? if so do they have different drops? or just that 1in unit.
I to wish I had done that on my cars, but I am pretty sure he was not doing that ten
years ago when I was doing my cars, I have been in there shop several times, and never
saw that back then.

Dan

[bull]

That does look good, they sold you that skid plate? if so do they have different drops? or just that 1in unit.
I to wish I had done that on my cars, but I am pretty sure he was not doing that ten
years ago when I was doing my cars, I have been in there shop several times, and never
saw that back then.

Dan

They say the skid plate is free, well, as free as it gets on a $450 job. Actually they say no extra charge. I was considering not getting the skid plate but then decided I didn't really care one way or the other. It's better to wreck a skid plate than a k-frame I guess. I'm not sure about the drop but mine does look a little different (less drop) than the one on their website. I didn't ask for anything special, they just did it.

[runningman]

Just a heads up for anyone wanting to do this reinforcement themselves.  Firm Feel sells the kit with all the pieces, can't remember the price though but I think it was around $70.

[ChargerST]

Just a heads up for anyone wanting to do this reinforcement themselves.  Firm Feel sells the kit with all the pieces, can't remember the price though but I think it was around $70.

What's in the kit? A few washers for the reinforcement of the LCA and strut rod mounting holes? skid plate? description?

[runningman]

I should have taken a pic of the kit.  Yeah it had like 4 big washers pieces, skid plate, some small crescent looking pieces and some triangle looking pieces.

[bull]

I forgot about the kit. It's a good way to save a bundle if you've got a decent welder and the means to straighten things up.

[charger2fast4u]

thanks for the answers bull. i think i would let them do my k frame then buy the kit and do it myself. reason being i'm sure  my k frame is out of line somewhere and they can straighten any parts. also there welders would probably do a better job then what i have access to. if anyone has any information on the tubular k frames can you let me know i'm tryin to decide to go with the firm feel or go to a tubular k frame.