[Tuske427]

When I bought my GTO it came with a bent frame unbeknownst to me. Though I had it straightened it's still not quite right, so now it's time for the next step- to replace it with a straight one. I'm not loaded and this is only meant to be a driver so no crazy exotic aftermarket frame for me, but a straight original one will suffice for my needs. I am taking the time to reinforce it with a Hellwig kit that essentially turns it into a convertible frame by boxing the middle rails and adds an additional mount inwards for more torsional support. And since I like to fabricate I figured I'd add a few gussets and braces to help without redesigning the whole thing. One advantage of doing it this way is I was able to reference my assembled car to make sure that whatever I add wouldn't get in the way or cause a cascade of additional mods needed to fit. Enough words, here's some pics

[Tuske427]

The Hellwig kit (shown in previous post pics) provides parts to box the middle rails on the regular frame boxing it like a convertible, and it adds a additional mount inwards that helps with torsional stiffness. They recommend bracing the rails and adding a slight pre load to help with maintaining the dimensions, and to wled slowly to avoid warping. I haven't removed the braces yet so I won't know how well I followed that until I cut them off later this week, ha ha. I did take measurements throughout this fabbing and they remained consistent, which I'll take as a good sign. In addition to this I'm adding the following to the frame:

- bracing for the front lower control arm mount.
- gussets at the edge of the engine crossmember. my current frame was cracked here and I don't want this one to suffer this same issue.
- gussets from the middle rails to the transition in front
- gussets for the rear axle crossmember.
- gussets for the rear shock/ spring mount plate. this, being stamped sheet metal seems flimsy, especially as it's only riveted in some areas. I added weld to help strengthen them, too.

[Tuske427]

more detail shots of the front bracing, and I also added a piece of DOM tube to support the lower rear control arm mount, as this too is just a piece of stamped metal supporting it all. I'm hoping this will reduce flex in many directions. I also have a set of Global West support rods that I'll be installing when assembling, too, which help triangulate this.

[Tuske427]

one more shot of the rear supports and a few pics of painting this weekend. I first applied the Eastwood Rust Encapsulator getting as much as I could inside the frame rails, and today added some eXtreme chassis paint over it. Then let it sit in the sun to help cure. Yeah, a few of the top side areas may need to be touched up but they won't really be seen and I was just happy I could quickly roll this outside myself without having a huge frame dolly/ rotisserie.

[will slow gto]

Great job on this upgrade. One think I noticed when I took my 69 body off the frame is there was another pair of caged nuts on the body that didn’t have bolts securing it, just dummy body bushings. It was in the vicinity of the rear seat , you might consider securing the body to the frame in this location with a pair of bolts and the appropriate bushing.

[north]

Those extra cage nuts were used on convertibles and on some Olds and Buick A-body cars

[Tuske427]

Cool, thanks guys, I'll def keep an eye on this. Currently in the teardown mode and parts are everywhere.

[dataway]

When I did the frame/bushings on my 68 hardtop I went ahead and added the extra bolt/bushing in that location also.

[cdnroundport]

How do you order brake and fuel lines for a frame modified like this?

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by cdnroundport

How do you order brake and fuel lines for a frame modified like this?

With the Hellwig frame reinforcement kit, it one should be able to use oem convertible parts and be fine. It's not like those other kits that add tubes underneath the middle of the car. I was also careful to add my additional mods in areas that shouldn't affect the car. I referenced my car before taking it apart to make sure. and even if something is still needing to be customized or fabricated completely I'm capable of making my own brake and fuel lines. I can use the originals as a template, or bend some bailing wire, and go from there. Fuel line, brake line and gravel guard can all be purchased online.

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by cdnroundport

How do you order brake and fuel lines for a frame modified like this?

update: I worked on the lines for a couple of hours today, and have decided to make my own. I have the supplies, and I can't in good conscious reinstall what was on there. the old lines are mangy, kinked, and corroded, and this is not the place to cheap out. It won't pass any concours restoration judges, but it'll allow me to stop the car when I need it to, and that's most important. I'll have more of this done after tomorrow.

[Tuske427]

more progress today, and was able to finish up the plumbing on the chassis. I reused a piece I had made previously for the front section of the fuel line, and made the remainder today along with pieces on the axle. surprisingly, the flexible line looks to be in good shape.

[Tuske427]

minor update today- I got the frame back on. I wasn't intending to do this just yet as I was thinking I'd leave it off and install the engine, then reassemble as a unit as the engine was not fun to remove. however, I had to basically assemble it to install the inner mounts that are part of the Hellwig kit, and after doing all that I chose to leave it assembled. My car now has 6x additional bolted in mounts that it didn't have before- the 2 just before the rear wheels using the factory threaded plates already there, the 2 new ones from the Hellwig kit and the inner mounts underneath the firewall. Between this, the boxing of the frame itself, and all the gussets I added this should be a much better riding car.

[Tuske427]

Suppose I'm overdue for an update. the car is reassembled, and driving again and has been for a week or two now. I got it aligned earlier this week, and it drives so much better than it ever did before. Much more solid feel and fun overall. I still need the AC reconnected and charged, and hope this will happen this next Friday.

Well worth the effort, and I highly recommend this to anyone on the fence of doing this. I was able to do it in my driveway without a lift or any exotic tools, and only had a hand when I removed and reinstalled the front clip. otherwise I did it all myself.

[dataway]

Nice! That was quick work. Looks great.

[rohrt]

Fantastic job on that extra bracing.

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by rohrt

Fantastic job on that extra bracing.

Thanks. I've been driving the car for a few weeks now and the car is noticeably more solid, handles bumps better and feels more confident around curves. It's also noticeably stiffer when lifting with a floor jack and setting jack stands in front- much less frame/ body flex.

If I ever own another A body this will be one of the first things I do with it.

[north]

The factory did offer convertible frames on hardtop cars, but only as part of HD towing packages (which do not show up in the normal order forms).

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by north

The factory did offer convertible frames on hardtop cars, but only as part of HD towing packages (which do not show up in the normal order forms).

Very interesting. How did one go about ordering a car like this then?