Frame rail questions

I'm building a frame underneath my car and I'm ready to tackle the front part now.My question is this.I'm wanting to form two radius' in the rails to acheive my ride height.Most people "Z" the frame rails,but I would like to form the radius' in them.Bobby Z has a 60 Falcon in the "stuff for sale section".The way the frame rails on that car looks is exactly what I'm wanting to do.Any tips or advice?I would like to do it myself,but if I have to take it somewhere to get it done that would be okay too.Thanks for any help.---RED

The smooth radius curves on his Falcon's chassis are from the box tubing being bent to get the "Z" shape (vs cutting & welding to get the "Z"). Unless you have access to a tubing bender with bending dies/shoes for box tubing, your best bet is probably going to be miter cutting/welding the joints to get the Z step.

buy a set of preformed front rails! just a thought!

Hey Dave,Thanks for the reply.It's kinda looking like that's what I may have to do.There is a company called "On the ground performance"that forms rails the way I am wanting to do.I sent them my dimensions and they should reply back with a quote to me.If it's too high,I'll just "Z" the frame.Will I have any problems getting my car to certify to say,8.50's with the frame "Z'd"?---RED

I saw a set offered from S&W Race cars.I think I'll give 'em a call when they are open tomorrow.---RED

'65 T-BOLT wrote:buy a set of preformed front rails! just a thought!

61coon wrote:they should reply back with a quote to me.If it's too high,I'll just "Z" the frame.Will I have any problems getting my car to certify to say,8.50's with the frame "Z'd"?

If you don't/can't go with a one piece bent box rail, then cutting/welding the "Z" step should certify for NHRA/IHRA (or the faster SFI) specs just fine. Just remember the SFI specs are more strict on size & wall thickness of the material used for "frame rails" depending on if they fall inside the area of the main roll cage structure, and which SFI cert is used. And if you do have to "Z" the frame some small gussets at the joints might not be a bad idea just to keep the inspectors happy.

frame rails are not part of the 8.50 cert. , last i knew just the cage around the driver was check

Thanks alot for the input guys,I really appreciate it!!---RED

Red, Steer away from the S&W rails, there bender crinkles the top ad sides of the rails when forming them. How they are acceptable I have no idea being they are only .083 I beleive. To each thier own, but I would save your money and buy some Alston or comparable rails.

Travis

I did my own front end 10 years ago and, unless you are a pro...it will be a learning experience. Mine turned out ok and it works but, I learned what NOT to do. I don't know what your budget is but, check out this set-up...it is the only way to go for a DIY kinda person, IMO. This is the kit that I wish I would have used... http://chassisengineering.com/shopDetails.asp?ProductId=1435

If you go the route I took...this is how I did mine. Chassis is certified.

DanH wrote:frame rails are not part of the 8.50 cert. , last i knew just the cage around the driver was check

yep, thats all they look at for the sticker.

Still need to do the "rest" of it right.............safety first.


I left my stock framerails and just built around them.

Thanks for all the input fellas.I'm probably just gonna do it myself.I'll post some pics up when I start making progress,whether is forward or reverse Thanks again---RED

Here's mine Red

Red,
Check out Art Morrisons rails. They are pricey, but the best Ive ever seen.
You can go round tube like a strut car on the bottom rail. Bend it at the degree of caster you want,then bend a loop to weld on it to mount the upper A-arm.
Light and simple. A little reverse-engineering is involved, but not hard. Pm me if ya need some help with the bends.
Also, heres my number.989-494-9746.
Al

Al Martin wrote:Red,
Check out Art Morrisons rails. They are pricey, but the best Ive ever seen.
You can go round tube like a strut car on the bottom rail. Bend it at the degree of caster you want,then bend a loop to weld on it to mount the upper A-arm.
Light and simple. A little reverse-engineering is involved, but not hard. Pm me if ya need some help with the bends.
Also, heres my number.989-494-9746.
Al

Yes do the Art Morrisons rails, he will bend it to your specs... and like Al said they are nice.