I am about to start the process of replacing the rusted-out front frame rails on my Challenger with good used ones. I know this is a very big job and would be interested in tips from anyone who had done this before.
Thanks.
Dave
Make sure the car is on a frame jig, held solid in place. It MUST be secured to a jig. 1/8" movement in one area can multiply ten-fold in another area. Take GOOD measurements, record them carefully. Make sure the radiator core support is secured to the car as well as the jig. Be sure to keep the car
off a rotisserie. Start drilling out spot welds, get plenty of cutters, there are a TON of spot welds you will need to drill out. Take your time, it will be a slow process. Plan to spend a lot of hours removing the old rail. then take your time grafting in the new one. Keep measuring, make sure its square when it goes back in place.
Its helpful to look at what the stock car crowd does as far as frame jigs. They build a brace for every point BEFORE they cut it up and rebuild it.
We do stuff like this all the time. In fact in the next couple months we have a 1970 AAR coming in for the same thing, Used rails, as well as a ton of other metal work.
Oh yea, don't forget to HAVE FUN. Thats why we all do this.
Dave
www.autorust.com
