Do you think it's necessary to weld the K-member seams?

[bull]

Do you guys think it's really necessary to seam weld the K-member or is it kind of a fad or something drag racers do? Do they really ever come apart during regular street use?

Also, how much might I expect to pay to have a pro weld it up for me?

[moparguy01]

never heard of one breaking at the seams, but i recon for a full of race car maybe it wouldnt be that bad. I think it'd be a waste of time.

[The70RT]

never heard of one breaking at the seams, but i recon for a full of race car maybe it wouldnt be that bad. I think it'd be a waste of time.

What about boxing in the lower control arms?

[Ghoste]

I used to think control arm boxing was a waste of time but it seems as though in the last few years I've come across more bent control arms (which admittedly is still not very many) than in all the years prior that I've messed around with old cars.
As for the K frame, it isn't going to hurt but I couldn't guess as to a price for having it done.

[moparguy01]

the lower control arms for a driver, i would say is a waste of time. However if you do racing, and try to take corners fast it seems to be a pretty good investment of time, from what i've seen from people who have done it.

[The70RT]

Thanks for the input guys. My suspension is off right now so it sounds like I might as well do it since all it will cost me is time and some wire. Maybe boxing the lower arms would make it stronger against some of these pot holes round here.

[Big Sugar]

It's like this folks , Your whole Chassis as well as those  lower control arms are probably nearing 40 years old, and have been stressed plenty over the years, LCA plates will button them up considerably, You've probably shed those front Skinnies as well for a set of nice fat front Rubber, that's putting even more stress on those Control arms.

As for the K member it's pretty much the same thing , If you've got it out clean it up and finish the welding the factory left behind. That K member is a integral part of the front Chassis of your Car you ain't going to make it worse by buttoning things up. While your in there weld up the back of the steering gear mount on the K member it'll rid a lot of unnecessary flex in the steering.

Firm Feel Sells K members all welded up if your looking for the clean way out.

Unless your a numbers matching "Keep it original" enthusiast I say tighten up that Chassis , Subframe connectors,Torque Boxes, LCA plates, Welded K members are going to drastically improve your ride and help get that 400+ftlbs of torque down to the pavement.
Don't forget to check your rear end leaf spring mounts as well And the Rear Shock Mount  Crossover is usually pretty beat as well.
Your Charger is no Spring Chicken Big Hp and Big sticky Rubber is wreaking havoc on that nice straight body.


Food for thought
Ron

[bull]

I haven't heard about boxing the lower control arms. Please explain.

[BB1]

http://www.firmfeel.com/reinlca_b.htm

It is just a flat piece of metal welded to the underside of the control arm.

I would recommend it. You can buy the whole arm or just the flat piece.

[Mike DC]

   
Check the K-frame itself around where the LCA mounting shaft slides into the tube part of the K-frame.  That LCA mounting tube has a bad habit of tearing out of the sidewalls of the K-frame.   

     

[RallyeMike]

I wouldnt bother to weld the K for a street car. The factory spot welded it pretty good. Unless you are going to beef up everything else and plan on carving some corners, it's a waste of effort. If you just gotta go the extra mile on everything, then weld away.

[bull]

I wouldnt bother to weld the K for a street car. The factory spot welded it pretty good. Unless you are going to beef up everything else and plan on carving some corners, it's a waste of effort. If you just gotta go the extra mile on everything, then weld away.

I don't think I'll be goofing off more than I did when I was 20, and I never broke anything under my old '70 back then. I'll just look it over real good and clean it up if/where it needs it.

[dukeboy_318]

im planning on doing both since im throwing a 470 cube stroker hopefully making 600 horses on pump gas with aftermarket heads and the rest of the chassis is gettign beefed, so may as well.

[Dennis K]

I've always heard and read that reinforcing the factory welds around the steering box and the lower control arm bushing tubes is a good idea, but mine looked good with no evidence of stress or cracking, so I left it alone. Mine is only going to be a Sunday driver, not a race car or one that's going to get beat on, but hey, at least give me credit for not building a trailer queen.