so how bad of an idea would it be...

[beater_k20]

to plate over this area of my frame with 3/16" plate?

it got pretty scarred up from removing the IFS, and i just dont like the way it looks. with all the gouges in it, it cant be as strong as original. if i ever get into another SFA swap, i'm going to invest in a torch (as i should have LONG ago).

i'd like to plate them up, mainly for peace of mind knowing that they're good to go, as well as the aesthetics. the only thing, i have to mount a Ford tower here for the shocks.

what are your thoughts on this idea?

 

[beater_k20]

and here's the area i'm thinking about plating.

 

[yellowK20]

you should be okay the way it is . but a little reinforcement couldn't hurt

 

[DavidB]

Ditto yellow.

Don't weld across the frame. Angle/taper the ends as much as possible. Also, it's gonna rust in there, unless you're in SoCal or AZ...plug welds wouldn't hurt.

 

[yellowK20]

Ditto yelloow.

Don't weld across the frame. Angle the ends. Also, it's gonna rust in there, unless you're in SoCal or AZ...plug welds wouldn't hurt.

I second that never weld vertically on a frame if possible and rounded corners on your plate would be good also

 

[beater_k20]

Ditto yellow.

Don't weld across the frame. Angle/taper the ends as much as possible. Also, it's gonna rust in there, unless you're in SoCal or AZ...plug welds wouldn't hurt.

plug welds had definitely crossed my mind.

why do you say not to weld across the frame?

also, if i seal it off with welds (including the hole in the center) how is it going to rust?

 

[DavidB]

1/8" would prolly be sufficient.

It will rust due to condensation. Prolly thru not in your lifetime...

Anytime you weld any kind of frame, weld lengthwise, with the frame. Across creates a fracture point.

 

[yellowK20]

and you want to avoid sharp corners on your patch plates because it can cause a stress point also, rounded corners were ever possible

 

[beater_k20]

rounded corners were the plan, as the frame dips in right there. which creates another problem... where i stopped on the front of my original drawing is where the frame starts to kick out. here's a pic to show...

 

[yellowK20]

in all honesty it will most likely be fine those gouges are not that bad some of the trucks running around up there have bigger rust pits than those . But if you really want to do it. make your panel look like a diamond and round off the corners about the same size as your origanal red drawing

 

[DavidB]

pound to fit.