Ridetech Subframe Connectors for 67-69 F body

[Josh@Ridetech]

Hey everyone,

We have been tossing around the idea of building some subframe connectors for quite some time and decided it was time to make it happen. We just finalized the design for the 1st gen F body (for coupe cars only) a couple of months ago and are now shipping them out the door! Instead of trying to find a way to make a set that works with the original leaf spring mounts, we designed a setup that has an integrated leaf spring mount for even more added strength (which is the coolest part about these in my mind). These are a super nice fitting piece that help eliminate the chassis flex that these uni-body cars have fought since day one. :cheers:

https://www.ridetech.com/product/camaro-firebird-subframe-connectors/

Key points:



Fabricated from 1.5 in. x 3 in. x .125 wall steel
Rear of the connector mounts solidly into three existing floor pan bolt locations for maximum strength and completely replaces the original leaf spring pocket
Front of the connector bolts through the original subframe and is captured by the body bushing as well to enhance rigidity
No fabrication, all bolt-in installation
Tightly fitting against the floor for ground clearance
Works with OE leaf springs, Ridetech Streetgrip leaf springs, and Ridetech 4-Link rear suspensions
Powdercoated satin black
Hardware included



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[rchaskin]

Super nice.
Very simple connection points, and pocket reinforcement to boot!!

Now get some ready for Novas.....

[ilikeike]

Those look good.
Besides cutting the floor for the DSE style, I always liked the rectangle tube Hotchkis used best over the round stuff most use,and how they followed the floor so well.
Now these RideTech connectors look like a real good option if you don't want to cut the floor.

[Sinnister69]

Can you post the inside dimensions on the front of the connector where it bolts to the subframe?
I have a speedtech subframe and want to know if they will fit

Thanks

[rohrt]

Now that is a nice option to have!

[Camaro68+69]

when are you going to make a notched set for convertibles??

[Josh@Ridetech]

Super nice.
Very simple connection points, and pocket reinforcement to boot!!

Now get some ready for Novas.....
Thanks! I'll make sure they know that some Nova guys are interested!

Those look good.
Besides cutting the floor for the DSE style, I always liked the rectangle tube Hotchkis used best over the round stuff most use,and how they followed the floor so well.
Now these RideTech connectors look like a real good option if you don't want to cut the floor.


Now that is a nice option to have!

Thanks guys!

when are you going to make a notched set for convertibles??

The product request is already in, don't worry :).

Can you post the inside dimensions on the front of the connector where it bolts to the subframe?
I have a speedtech subframe and want to know if they will fit

Thanks
Inside to inside on the front mount is 3.5"!

[Just 1 More]

Love the look and design but, what about us guys who have the DETROIT SPEED, INC. HD LEAF SPRING POCKET KIT - (1967-69 CAMARO / FIREBIRD) Product Code: 040110 ??? How do these work with the pocket kits?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Love the look and design but, what about us guys who have the DETROIT SPEED, INC. HD LEAF SPRING POCKET KIT - (1967-69 CAMARO / FIREBIRD) Product Code: 040110 ??? How do these work with the pocket kits?

I don't see it working with those unfortunately. These were built for the cars that still have the factory leaf spring pockets.

[232_ray]

How much are they. Can’t find them on the website.

[Josh@Ridetech]

How much are they. Can’t find them on the website.

The link was a little hidden in the first post, sorry. Here is a link to them!

https://www.ridetech.com/product/camaro-firebird-subframe-connectors/

[ryeguy2006a]

Very nice! They look like they tuck up nicely. Let me know if you need someone to sponsor and I'd be happy to test fit them. :)

[Josh@Ridetech]

Very nice! They look like they tuck up nicely. Let me know if you need someone to sponsor and I'd be happy to test fit them. :)

Thanks! They do tuck up well. We left a small gap to make sure guys that have some floor pan height variance have no issues fitting them. However, we made sure that they at least sat flush with the exhaust on all the cars that came in here (most of them were tucked up higher than the exhaust :D). Haha, if I hear anything on them needing a guy I'll be sure to throw your name out! :cheers:

[slimjim]

These look fantastic, I have speedtechs torque arm and suspect these would integrate into that package, if so, avoiding a whole lot of money and time cutting out more floor.

[Sinnister69]

Inside to inside on the front mount is 3.5"!

my frame ends are 3.125" wide o.d.

can i just put a spacer in between?

thanks

[Josh@Ridetech]

These look fantastic, I have speedtechs torque arm and suspect these would integrate into that package, if so, avoiding a whole lot of money and time cutting out more floor.

Thanks! As long as the factory spring pockets are still being utilized, these would fall right into place with everything.

my frame ends are 3.125" wide o.d.

can i just put a spacer in between?

thanks

I don't see that being a problem at all. Just throw a 3/16" spacer on each side of the frame and it'd be perfect!

[slimjim]

Thanks! As long as the factory spring pockets are still being utilized, these would fall right into place with everything.

Yeah indeed they are, the only difference is two added bolts that go upwards directly through the floor for added strength, these are a game changer for anyone not wanted to cut up their floor some more.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Yeah indeed they are, the only difference is two added bolts that go upwards directly through the floor for added strength, these are a game changer for anyone not wanted to cut up their floor some more.

Good deal! I think these are really cool pieces as well! :cheers:

[Benttube]

Any plans making them for a 2nd gen camaro?

[68Formula]

Since you're incorporating a new spring mount bracket anyway, what about cutting the top off for clearance and seeing how high the leaf mount hole can be moved up to improve anti-squat? Aka, the Herb Adams Mod. Not sure how much you'd get on a 1st gen without having to cutting the floor, but some is probably better than none. Since part of it is tied into the connector, probably wouldn't take much reinforcement to make it rigid enough.

[badazz81z28]

Appears these are really "bolt in only"...If you weld them in, how the heck will you ever remove the leafs?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Any plans making them for a 2nd gen camaro?
We're going through the list on what cars we're going to build them for right now (and that one is on top of the list :D).

Since you're incorporating a new spring mount bracket anyway, what about cutting the top off for clearance and seeing how high the leaf mount hole can be moved up to improve anti-squat? Aka, the Herb Adams Mod. Not sure how much you'd get on a 1st gen without having to cutting the floor, but some is probably better than none. Since part of it is tied into the connector, probably wouldn't take much reinforcement to make it rigid enough.
The goal was to get them in the car without having to modify floor but it could be done for sure. The leaf mount that is incorporated with this is much stronger than factory so I don't believe any extra reinforcement would be needed. At this moment, we're really happy with this design but maybe down the road!

Appears these are really "bolt in only"...If you weld them in, how the heck will you ever remove the leafs?
Correct, they're built to be bolt in. We didn't want to put another cut/weld option out on the market as there are already a ton of those. We wanted these to hit all of the main goals that one would have for a subframe connector without having to cut the floor up or weld on the car.

[Marc]

Solid body mounts are required when installing subframe connnectors, indeed for welded connectors. In my car I have polyurethane body bushings, should I need to replace them solid body mounts when installing your Ridetech connectors? What is your advice?

Thanks,

Marc

[Camaro68+69]

Josh

What about us guys & gals with the first Gen Convertibles ?
I can be a test subject if you need one, I already have full coilover Ridetech front suspension & rear Ridetech 4 link installed..LOL
thanks
Scott

[Rod]

good install pictures Joshy

[Josh@Ridetech]

Josh

What about us guys & gals with the first Gen Convertibles ?
I can be a test subject if you need one, I already have full coilover Ridetech front suspension & rear Ridetech 4 link installed..LOL
thanks
Scott
Hey Scott,

Nothing for the convertibles just yet unfortunately! I'll pick on the guys for you :D.


good install pictures Joshy

Haha, thanks sir! I hope you're doing well Rod :).


Solid body mounts are required when installing subframe connnectors, indeed for welded connectors. In my car I have polyurethane body bushings, should I need to replace them solid body mounts when installing your Ridetech connectors? What is your advice?

Thanks,

Marc

Hey Marc,

With our kits, we've ran them with rubber, poly, and solid mounts. Although the solid mounts do make it a little more solid, they're not 100% necessary for ours.

To me, the only reason that solid mounts would be required with weld-on subframe connectors is that replacing worn out bushings would be awful with everything being fully welded together.

[hotrodgirl]

Hey everyone,

We have been tossing around the idea of building some subframe connectors for quite some time and decided it was time to make it happen. We just finalized the design for the 1st gen F body (for coupe cars only) a couple of months ago and are now shipping them out the door! Instead of trying to find a way to make a set that works with the original leaf spring mounts, we designed a setup that has an integrated leaf spring mount for even more added strength (which is the coolest part about these in my mind). These are a super nice fitting piece that help eliminate the chassis flex that these uni-body cars have fought since day one. :cheers:

https://www.ridetech.com/product/camaro-firebird-subframe-connectors/

Key points:



Fabricated from 1.5 in. x 3 in. x .125 wall steel
Rear of the connector mounts solidly into three existing floor pan bolt locations for maximum strength and completely replaces the original leaf spring pocket
Front of the connector bolts through the original subframe and is captured by the body bushing as well to enhance rigidity
No fabrication, all bolt-in installation
Tightly fitting against the floor for ground clearance
Works with OE leaf springs, Ridetech Streetgrip leaf springs, and Ridetech 4-Link rear suspensions
Powdercoated satin black
Hardware included



179022
179023
179024
179025

REALLY, REALLY sad that I didn’t know these were coming. Now I have welded in DSE ones. Another cut the floor, weld, etc. thing that could have been avoided. If you guys come up with any more news things, let me know. I need to set up notifications for RideTech info...

[68conv455]

It's been 7 months since the last update on subframe connectors for 1st gen convertibles. Anything in process?

[68Formula]

It's been 7 months since the last update on subframe connectors for 1st gen convertibles. Anything in process?

Doesn't look like it yet. No love for us verts.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/5g6l5n-1.jpg

[Mkelcy]

REALLY, REALLY sad that I didn’t know these were coming. Now I have welded in DSE ones. Another cut the floor, weld, etc. thing that could have been avoided. If you guys come up with any more news things, let me know. I need to set up notifications for RideTech info...

I'd say you're probably good with the DSE connectors. The front mount on these (and a lot of the bolt in options) doesn't seem to me to be that stout versus torsional forces in the body. Here's what I did with DSE SFC's. The ears are 1/4" steel, are welded to the subframe and engage the SFCs at two points with 1/2" hardware. I sleeved the SFC's so they wouldn't collapse under the clamping pressure of the hardware.

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[Josh@Ridetech]

It's been 7 months since the last update on subframe connectors for 1st gen convertibles. Anything in process?

Just got done with the R&D on them not too long ago, you should be seeing an update shortly!


I'd say you're probably good with the DSE connectors. The front mount on these (and a lot of the bolt in options) doesn't seem to me to be that stout versus torsional forces in the body. Here's what I did with DSE SFC's. The ears are 1/4" steel, are welded to the subframe and engage the SFCs at two points with 1/2" hardware. I sleeved the SFC's so they wouldn't collapse under the clamping pressure of the hardware.

190316

With the connector being clamped on the sides and sandwiched between the body mount, they're extremely stout. You'd be surprised :twothumbs.

[Sinnister69]

I finished the drivers side sfc on my 69 camaro with speedtech protouring sub

Back went in fine but the fronts barely reached into the subframe part due to the length of the speedtech frame is probably shorter than a stock one

Im gonna have to fab up a plate to i can bolt it up
And i had to trim the part that sandwhiches in the subframe

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[Sinnister69]

Finally got around to making extensions and welding them on gonna take them to my friend to have them professionally powdercoated.
After the blame game between ridetech and speedtech i decided to come up with my own solution
Still need to clean up the welds
But i feel the flex if the ends are eliminated
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[JLMounce]

I just had a set of these and RideTech's solid body mounts installed in my '69 Firebird. As you can see by the photos, my car still has the factory floors and a lot of "old carness" on it.

The subframes fit well against the contours of the the factory floors and they've provided enough room to account for some sagging. The exhaust piping is still the lowest object at the breakover point of the car. My bird is low, the subframe at it's lowest point is 3.25" above the ground. The areas that I tend to have ground clearance issues are still the same areas and haven't changed with the addition of the subframes. I typically have issues at the X pipe connection, the header flange and the below floor mufflers.

Granted, I removed some really bad original body mounts and had two of the subframe mounts repaired, but the RideTech bushings have actually decreased the NVH in the car. The addition of both of those items as well as the subframe connectors gives a nice "put together" feel. Having had SN chassis mustangs with the addition of subframe connectors, you would really notice a lack of flex in those cars with the change. I can't say that I notice this same thing with the addition hear, but instead the car feels like it's now forcing the suspension to do the work instead of the body doing the work. I would kind of describe it as the ability to feel what is happening up front, differentiated by what is happening in the rear. Before, I kind of felt everything through the car as a whole.

For context, the car is a partial restoration (body and paint with newish drivetrain). Aluminum headed Pontiac engine with a th400, moser 12 bolt. Suspension is SPC front with Hotchkis BB springs and hotchkis 3" drop leafs in the rear.

It weighs 3402 with 3/4 tank of fuel, so a pretty standard survivor type car. I'm not certain that going from a very well sorted car with new or newish body mounts and these subframes would create as dramatic of a difference, but for the guys freshening up a budget F-body, I'd say this is money well spent.

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[Sinnister69]

They are finally up after having them repowdercoated after welding extensions on
The long bolt hole is a little off. The sleeve is at a slight angle and wont go into the spring clip
Si i reamed it out with a slightly larger bit so now it has just enough play to get into the clip
I still need to drill the 4 holes but that has to wait until the new rear is in and on all 4’s
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[TheBandit]

Nice design - I like how they integrate/replace the leaf spring perch.

[68conv455]

[QUOTE=Josh@Ridetech;1362597]Just got done with the R&D on them not too long ago, you should be seeing an update shortly!



Yawn.....

How are those first gen convertible subframe connectors coming?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Doesn't look like it yet. No love for us verts.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/5g6l5n-1.jpg

You actually got me to laugh out loud with this one, thanks for that! Haha :twothumbs


[QUOTE=Josh@Ridetech;1362597]Just got done with the R&D on them not too long ago, you should be seeing an update shortly!



Yawn.....

How are those first gen convertible subframe connectors coming?

I haven't forgot you! I was picking on the production team the other day about these. We've been doing alot of SFC design (the 2nd gen cars just got completed as well). The last I heard on the 1st gen convertible was that we were bringing in another car to validate fitment on one more time. I'll keep you posted!

[68Formula]

You actually got me to laugh out loud with this one, thanks for that! Haha :twothumbs


Thanks, I do what I can!:)

Keep us posted.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Thanks, I do what I can!:)

Keep us posted.

Haha, can do! :cheers:

[Dlish]

Bump for an older thread. Trying to get a measurement to see if these would fit with the low profile Caltracs brackets. Some connectors interfere with the bolt from the front caltracs.
Any help getting the measurement from front leaf spring bolt center to the lowest point of the tubing? Or just the tubing /flange dim would be really helpful.

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[ridesdirt]

@Dlish, I just checked, the dimension is 1-1/2". I have to keep typing to get enough digits to post... sorry this was from Oct.