Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: Driverguy on April 25, 2013, 09:19:17 PM

Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: Driverguy on April 25, 2013, 09:19:17 PM
Ive just discovered ive been driving around with my front clip frame rails literally rotted to pieces.  Since I know nothing about bodywork/fabrication, I was originally going to leave it until i got the whole car disassembled, and have a professional refab it, but now its so bad i fear the car with break in two if i keep driving it.  Has anyone ever replaced a front clip before, or done a fix to rotted frame rails?
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: daminc on April 25, 2013, 10:39:57 PM
yes
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: Driverguy on April 25, 2013, 10:48:32 PM
what did you do, fabricate a fix, or replace the frame?
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: daminc on April 26, 2013, 09:10:56 AM
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5373.jpg)

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5218.jpg)

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5144.jpg)

I think there's also a guy on FEP who fabricates the front subframes for fox bodies
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: TOM Renzo on April 26, 2013, 05:42:16 PM
YES ALL THE TIME!!

Spark machine plenty of wire assortment of various angle iron and plating. A pizza every 4 hours and a beverage of your choice.
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: daminc on April 26, 2013, 09:41:18 PM
the worst thing I had to try to fix... I also had to replace part of the firewall where the frame was once attached, along with the lower part of the strut towers...
I also had to clip the rad support... if your rails are rotted, the support is probably cooked too
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5312.jpg)

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5300.jpg)

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5313.jpg)
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: daminc on April 26, 2013, 09:52:55 PM
if you are repairing.. dont forget to make new crush sleeves for the kmember
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5275.jpg)

and if your going that far... may as well box and weld all the holes closed, along with all the seams
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/front%20end/IMG_5224.jpg)
Title: Front clip replacement?
Post by: TOM Renzo on April 26, 2013, 10:16:15 PM
Nice hole weld up a clean engine bay is where it is at. Plenty of grinding and filling but that is worth it when you POP THE HOOD!!!