chassis bracing on my 64 Falcon

[fordsbyjay]

I put a new firewall in my Falcon and I am concerned about strength now. I was planning on adding some bracing similar to this Mustang project I found on Cornercarvers.com (see pics below). IIRC there were concerns about triangulating the front end to the firewall but they installed a roll cage in the car and tied it into the rear of the firewall. In my case I DO NOT want a roll bar so I am curious if this is a bad way to go. There is piece of tubing that goes across the whole front of the firewall that the side bracing ties into which I plan on doing.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/mustangbracing9o-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/mustangbracing-1.jpg

My car now.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/IMG000281-1.jpg

[jaybee]

All of that square tubing is wrapped around the corner of the firewall, welded to the firewall, and triangulated into the top and bottom of the A pillar. I'd be really surprised if that managed to come through to the cabin except in a crash that was so horrendous you'd stand no chance anyway. I suppose you could add a plate to spread any load at the innermost portion of the structure where the firewall meets the inner fenders. such a reinforcement would spread the load to a greater area than the width of the tubing and would turn the corner to also pull longitudinally on the inner fender.

[JRouche]

Im not an expert but it looks like the arms that were used in that pic should keep the suspension from moving in an outward direction (spreading). Some folks use a simple bar along the top of the upper strut or shock towers to keep them from spreading or compressing. But all that does is keep them (the upper towers) located in reference to each other. But doesnt support them in the lateral location as a whole. In reference to the entire body and frame, just to each other (the tops of the shock towers).

Where that framework will stiffen up the entire fender wells including the shock towers. It transmits the loads to the entire car And it doesnt look overly built (heavy). Some well placed bracing.

And distribution. I like how the load is distributed straight back with the small beam, inward with the angled pieces and downward with the other angled piece.

It uses a simple and light framework to provide a very stiff suspension brace.

I like it!!! JR



I put a new firewall in my Falcon and I am concerned about strength now. I was planning on adding some bracing similar to this Mustang project I found on Cornercarvers.com (see pics below).

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/mustangbracing9o-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/mustangbracing-1.jpg