Author Topic: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?  (Read 1706 times)

Offline Sal-Chichon

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Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« on: November 18, 2005 - 02:31:43 PM »
I have heard the phrase boxed frame rails from a few people and they ask if i have them on my cuda I can't tell if I do or not. PLease help if you can, I have yet to get a digital camera so I can take photos yet of the car. Does andyone have photos of Boxed frame rails? Are Boxed frame rails for cars that are big blocks such as the 440 and the 426? As some may know I don't have much info on my car I only have the last eight of the vin and the upper right corner of the fender tag ( 1/2" X 1/2") basically around the screw. I know the car is a 1971 (BI I56753)  plymouth 'Cuda (flat black rear pannel) That is all I know.
F Rustangs and Crumaros!!! 'Cuda,  the only way to go, except maybe a Challenger!




Offline Street_Challenged73

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2005 - 07:17:39 PM »
I believe boxed frame rails refer to frames that are in a C-shape configuration, where there is one of the sides that is open, and you weld another piece of steel (same thickness or a little thinner than the frame) to box the open end and help beef it up. (The only chassis's I can think of that have that style frame are trucks and full-frame cars, not unibodies)  As you probably know, E-bodies are unibody construction cars, so the only 'open' part of the frame faces upwards and is welded closed by the floor pans.  So unless someone has taken the time to add in tubular steel in the frame rails, your car wouldn't really be considered a boxed frame vehicle. (unless they do consider the trunk pan and floor pans as a part of the frame.)
1973 Dodge Challenger......................The ongoing project. (00/----\00)
1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo....The sunny day cruiser (RTBoost)
1990 Toyota Celica GT Liftback...........The new daily & winter driver.
All-American Muscle: 'Cudas and Challengers...Still the Elite and always will be.

                                                                                             
                 
Street_Challenged73 from Wisconsin

Alaskan_TA

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2005 - 07:47:37 PM »
If you are refering to the "torque boxes" here are some photos of what they look like;


Offline cooda

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2005 - 08:08:20 PM »
Torque boxes came on the Hemi coupes and on ALL convertibles to add structure.
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Alaskan_TA

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2005 - 09:07:35 PM »
They came on AAR Cudas and Challenger T/As also, probably others as well? The photos I posted are both from T/As.

Barry

Offline Street_Challenged73

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2005 - 09:33:51 PM »
Duh, I forgot to mention torque boxes and the addition of subframe connectors that both help support the frame even better.
1973 Dodge Challenger......................The ongoing project. (00/----\00)
1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo....The sunny day cruiser (RTBoost)
1990 Toyota Celica GT Liftback...........The new daily & winter driver.
All-American Muscle: 'Cudas and Challengers...Still the Elite and always will be.

                                                                                             
                 
Street_Challenged73 from Wisconsin

Offline Sal-Chichon

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2005 - 03:24:31 AM »
thanks for the info I'll have to check the underside to see if I have them (doubt it) but we'll see.
F Rustangs and Crumaros!!! 'Cuda,  the only way to go, except maybe a Challenger!

Offline JS27N0B

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Re: Boxed frame rails? What r they and how to tell?
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2005 - 11:52:06 AM »
Boxed frame rails are something you would see on a truck frame.
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