Author Topic: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces  (Read 29873 times)

Offline johns cuda shop

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New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« on: December 11, 2012 - 04:42:05 PM »
After talking to John over at US Car Tool, I bought a set of these to replace the XV type braces I had made. They look much stronger plus give you some more tire clearance if you decide to lower the car. any thoughts? https://store.uscartool.com/E-Body-70-74-Inner-Fender-Brace-Kit_p_11.html
« Last Edit: December 11, 2012 - 04:43:56 PM by johns cuda shop »
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Offline moprr

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2012 - 05:21:27 PM »
Looks pretty strong and they tuck up nice and high.  I  was going to go the xv way too but now this looks like a nice option.  Do you know the gauge of the metal?

Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2012 - 05:39:10 PM »
I just checked ,they are 11 gauge.  Another advantage is that they fit over the factory braces too. 
71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2012 - 06:38:28 PM »
They look good .I always thought the XV ones looked too low. If you added additional bracing on the firewall/cowl going down from the brace it would be stronger still!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

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Offline Travis72

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2012 - 11:52:50 PM »
I can testify that the XV ones restrict tire clearance.... my tire has rubbed the paint off the brace!  I guess I need to raise the front of my car a little.

Travis
72 Cuda

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2012 - 08:33:46 AM »
US CAR TOOL 1970-1974 Mopar E-Body Cuda/Challenger Uni-Body Rigidity Test
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Fastd

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2012 - 07:03:33 PM »
I just returned my inner fender set I bought back in March. Chris @ USCar Tools said they would swap them for the new ones. I thought that was great. Then I realized the price had dropped :(. But hey, they did not have to swap so I am pleased. should get the new ones by Monday or Tuesday. Still a ways from installation though. I also plan on running wiring and ac lines throught these.


Todd

1970 Dodge Challenger (pro-touring build)
1999 Dodge Durango
2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 Hemi (Wifes)

Offline jimynick

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2012 - 11:23:52 PM »
Thx for posting that vid Brad! That'll do it for me. I'll be calling the boys at US Car for a set of those for MY flexi-flyer.  :thumbsup:

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2012 - 12:01:47 AM »
Thx for posting that vid Brad! That'll do it for me. I'll be calling the boys at US Car for a set of those for MY flexi-flyer.  :thumbsup:

Just heard back from them about a shipping quote.... They will ship via USPS! I'm ordering mine tomorrow!  :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2012 - 11:59:42 AM »
Just heard back from them about a shipping quote.... They will ship via USPS! I'm ordering mine tomorrow!  :2thumbs:

Ordered and on there way..... :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2012 - 05:50:51 PM »
I've been thinking about this. How much flex do you guys think would be there if the
k frame was bolted in? Still looks like a good product, but it seems like it has been sensationalized with the lack of
a k frame and hanging the weight 5 feet away from the centerline of the chassis. I'm not trying to
dispute the claim, nor am I trying to bad mouth the product. Just want a little more technical
data to substantiate  the claim so to speak.
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2012 - 06:38:30 PM »
I've been thinking about this. How much flex do you guys think would be there if the
k frame was bolted in? Still looks like a good product, but it seems like it has been sensationalized with the lack of
a k frame and hanging the weight 5 feet away from the centerline of the chassis. I'm not trying to
dispute the claim, nor am I trying to bad mouth the product. Just want a little more technical
data to substantiate  the claim so to speak.

 Yes I think your right in that bolting in the K-Frame would make it more rigid for that test, but adding their brace definitely improves the original design. It always bugged me how much flex is in our cars.  If you can find the XV video it showed similair flex when on the 4 post rig. 
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline wiging19

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2012 - 06:51:09 PM »
 :popcorn:

Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2012 - 07:21:24 PM »
Yes I think your right in that bolting in the K-Frame would make it more rigid for that test, but adding their brace definitely improves the original design. It always bugged me how much flex is in our cars.  If you can find the XV video it showed similair flex when on the 4 post rig.
:iagree:   I agree with Brad, you also have to look at the big picture, what the factory did was a quick fix for a shoddy body integrity problem using that thin sheetmetal brace they had. Using the curved steel tube like the XV  works but triangulating the cowl and the inner fender is much stronger. This is also why I didnt use any curved down bars on my roll Cage . For the low price US Car tool has on these braces, its a no brainer ,not even worth making yourself IMO. 
71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

Offline brads70

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Re: New Design US Car Tool fender to cowl braces
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2012 - 07:31:54 PM »
Here is a link to the XV Motorsports video.....
http://www.xvmotorsports.com/news/news_display1.cfm?id=37

Notice all the flex WITH the car assembled. 
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0