MP's frame rail connectors

[LugNut]

I took advantage of the free shipping war that's going on now between Jegs, Summit, etc., and have a pair of "bolt in" MP frame rail connectors on the way for my E-body.  I'm just wondering about the time to install, without a lift, and avoiding headaches.  I'll likely just bolt them in at first, then ultimately weld them in with my MIG after having the car aligned.

Drilling required?  Time?  Other experiences/hints?  (Too late to buy something different!)  I don't have torque boxes on the car.

[brads70]

I'd put in the torque boxes first? I made my own subframe connectors ( cost me $10 in materials!) and the torque boxes did need to go in first with what I made.

[LugNut]

Thanks -- If they fit without the boxes, I'll likely pass on them.

They just arrived, but the hardware is missing.  Wonderful.   

[mopardave]

problem is these MP connectors are really for the challenger and are to long for the Cuda,

http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/frame-connector-challenger-70-74-e-body/products_id/365

if these are what you bought then you will need to shorten them, not a huge issue, but if you do you might as well weld them in now, and also I agree with adding the rear torque boxes and the fronts

[jimynick]

AND, if you insist on leaving out the torque boxes, make sure you raise the car, evenly and support it on it's suspension, NOT the body, or you may get a nasty surprise when you let it down and go to close the doors and find they don't fit the same anymore. Just my 

[LugNut]

Some good hints, thanks!

Vendor seems ready to send the missing parts, and the instructions which were missing too.

[Jesus H Chrysler]

I did the US Car Tool weld in connectors.  I had to put in the connectors first, because the torque boxes ended up welding to and over the connectors.  I guess it just depends on the individual parts you get or make how they fit together.  I stuck with their stuff so it went together well.  Here is their pics off their site to show how I did it.  Your mileage may vary, etc. 

http://uscartool.com/documentation/e-body-frame-connector-install-pics-2/

[LugNut]

The missing hardware packet, and the instruction sheet, arrived this morning!  That was fast -- props to Summit Racing for making it right so quickly and with no hassle.

The instructions show that for either the Cuda or the Challenger, (different) chunks of the U-channel ends need to be trimmed away.  No big deal.  Drilling is required.  Bars are unpainted.  But overall they don't look difficult to install.

[johns cuda shop]

The missing hardware packet, and the instruction sheet, arrived this morning!  That was fast -- props to Summit Racing for making it right so quickly and with no hassle.

The instructions show that for either the Cuda or the Challenger, (different) chunks of the U-channel ends need to be trimmed away.  No big deal.  Drilling is required.  Bars are unpainted.  But overall they don't look difficult to install.

Ahhhh... Mopar Performance strikes again.... Honestly I dont see how MP can stay in business with there over promising and under delivering.

[1970GranCoupeConvert]

Ok...I'm interested now.

I am thinking of the bolt in variety of frame rail connectors (or I can fabricate my own).  I would go with the US Car Tool weld in connector however...as you can tell from my recent post I have already coated the entire bottom of my car with paint on sound/ heat deadner and Peel and Seal stick on coating so it looks like welding is no longer an option.

Naturally the US Tool way is superior because the welding length is the most solid.

How good are the bolt in variety?  I could weld the areas that are not directly against the floor boards of the car.

I have a convertible and the body flex is noticeable when driving over our crummy roads here in CA.

What is the purpose of torque boxes?

I should have done this when I was doing the rotisserer restoration however this forum was not in existence back then (heck I did not even have a computer) so I did not have this wealth of information to learn from.

[Topcat]

Convert to U.S. Cartool during the Fall/Winter season.

They're a ton of work but they are sooo much nicer looking underneath when done right.   

['Cuda Hunter]

Those look really good

[johns cuda shop]

 

Convert to U.S. Cartool during the Fall/Winter season.

They're a ton of work but they are sooo much nicer looking underneath when done right.