US Car Tool weld-in subframe connectors

[Defbob]

I got my new contoured weld-in subframe connectors from US Car Tool.  I'll post pictures of the installation on my 'Cuda.

They cost $190 and do not affect ground clearance.  The owner's website is www.USCarTool.com/

[Zach1018]

In case anyone is searching for a picture of US cartool SFC's

[Beekeeper]

Cant wait to see how they go in for you. I bought the entire kit from them. I've installed my front inner fender supports and the lower radiator support but I'm holding off on the SFCs and torque boxes until all my rust repairs are complete.

[Zach1018]

Beekeeper, they're a fairly easy install if you've got a rotisserie. Having mine made it much better than welding overhead. Trying to keep a good weld going at that 90* is bit tough with two very different thickness metals. I burned through a little in a few spots, but it was easy to fill the burn. Take your time with the trimming, it helped quite a bit.

[Beekeeper]

I've read that they want you to have the car flat and preferably with suspension loaded. Mine is a shell so I won't be loading suspension but I can at least get it tacked in really nice from underneath since it's high in the air on I beams. Maybe what I'll do is weld in about 10% of the area evenly spaced to prevent flex and then weld in the rest after I get it on the rotisserie.

[ragtopdodge]

I had mine on a rotisserie when these were installed, but I had the whole shell braced/cross-braced like crazy so there wouldn't be any sag.

These connectors were a whore to install.  Nothing fit, so took hours and hours of grinding to get them close enough to weld on.

[larry4406]

I welded mine while it was a shell on a rotissorie

Put car sideways and tacked both in place.  Flipped it the other direction still sideways and continued.  Vert with bracing across the doors before putting on rotissorie.  Thinking being that the car being sideways on the rotissorie was the strong axis for bending thus least chance of welding in and locking in curvature.

Door gaps did not change.

I thought the grinding to fit was quite reasonable and part of the process, nothing that good tunes and a few beers couldn't cure on a nice day.  I put bolts thru the floor pan and into the connectors to draw all tight before welding.

Project DOA in my garage

[Archialfa]

I think I shall take my Challenger off the rotisserie and then have the torque boxes and subframe connectors welded into place.

Their instructions state that it should be flat either on a lift or with full suspension on jacks. I'm afraid that doing it on rotisserie will twist the car which I won't be able to detect until when it's too late.


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[rhamson]

I welded mine while it was a shell on a rotissorie

Put car sideways and tacked both in place.  Flipped it the other direction still sideways and continued.  Vert with bracing across the doors before putting on rotissorie.  Thinking being that the car being sideways on the rotissorie was the strong axis for bending thus least chance of welding in and locking in curvature.

Door gaps did not change.

I thought the grinding to fit was quite reasonable and part of the process, nothing that good tunes and a few beers couldn't cure on a nice day.  I put bolts thru the floor pan and into the connectors to draw all tight before welding.

Project DOA in my garage

I did the same thing and no change in body gaps was made. John from USCartool said it makes no difference either.

[70chall440]

Welded mine on with the car on the twirler, no issues in fitment or alignment. Just think, people install full quarters with the car up as well.

[PLUM_72]

Anyone use these connectors with an install other than on a rotisserie or drive on 4 post lift?  I have to think it would be a pain to weld these on your back overhead. 

I am leaning toward the 2x3 square tube route.  Minimal welding underneath with the majority done from the topside in the car.  Yeah I have to live with a tube in the back seat foot well.  People rarely sit back there anyway.

[Beekeeper]

I put the front torque boxes in while on my back. Yeah, it's not fun and I know the sub frame connectors will be a real drag if I don't use a rotisserie.

[jimynick]

I put mine in on my back and the biggest PITA was the out and back under to grind/fit/regrind, etc. more so than the welding. I started the mig on the thicker connector and washed the puddle up and onto the floor pan and didn't have any real issues burning through. Having some one inside to tap or push is a nice touch as well.