Post by adamski on Dec 13, 2016 8:31:39 GMT 1
So I have been thinking about creating a box section chassis consisting of front to back chassis rails and crossmembers. The reason behind this is that I can create a custom chassis that allows me to install the running gear I wish to use without the body in the way and also I think it will be stronger than the original chassis. Secondly the existing floor pans and rails are rotten (I have replaced a lot of this already but not to a standard I'm particularly happy with).
My plan would be to take my measurements, design and build my chassis with running gear and engine mounted in situ, then brace up my shell as required and cut out all of the floor and front and aft chassis rails. Then align the shell with the custom chassis, weld it in attaching to the inner sills and then make my own floor panels to fill in the gaps and attach the shell to the chassis further.
The end result should be a completely rot free chassis and floor that incorporates the running gear I want to use, neat and tidy and strong. I plan to build the chassis to BIVA standards as with the engine and suspension I am using I already fall fowl of the 8 point rule.
Can anybody see any problems with doing this? Obviously it will likely be heavier than the original chassis, and it wont be original but I am not concerned about that (the car will look original on the exterior). Also I will need to brace the shell up thoroughly as most of the strength of the shell is in the floor. I wont be removing the sills. they will remain and the new chassis rails will attach to it via crossmembers. I can find loads of articles online of people manufacturing customs chassis' for their classics and hot rods which were originally body on rail chassis', but cant find anything really about creating a front to back chassis for a car that didn't originally have it.
Hope that all makes sense.
My plan would be to take my measurements, design and build my chassis with running gear and engine mounted in situ, then brace up my shell as required and cut out all of the floor and front and aft chassis rails. Then align the shell with the custom chassis, weld it in attaching to the inner sills and then make my own floor panels to fill in the gaps and attach the shell to the chassis further.
The end result should be a completely rot free chassis and floor that incorporates the running gear I want to use, neat and tidy and strong. I plan to build the chassis to BIVA standards as with the engine and suspension I am using I already fall fowl of the 8 point rule.
Can anybody see any problems with doing this? Obviously it will likely be heavier than the original chassis, and it wont be original but I am not concerned about that (the car will look original on the exterior). Also I will need to brace the shell up thoroughly as most of the strength of the shell is in the floor. I wont be removing the sills. they will remain and the new chassis rails will attach to it via crossmembers. I can find loads of articles online of people manufacturing customs chassis' for their classics and hot rods which were originally body on rail chassis', but cant find anything really about creating a front to back chassis for a car that didn't originally have it.
Hope that all makes sense.
