Removing Rear Frame Rails - Before or after???

[ProjectCamaro]

Hello -

I finally finished taking my 68 Camaro apart and it is ready to send to the blaster. I am going to be installing Art Morrison front and rear subframes and I am wondering:

Should i remove the stock rear frame rails before it goes to the blaster or wait until it comes back from the blaster?

The car is in amazing shape with no rust. Will removing the frame rails cause issues with the structural integrity of the body?


Thanks for the help.

[dhutton]

Based on my experience I would not remove them. Not only are they needed for structural integrity but they will be important points of reference when you install your new frame rails. Make sure everything is square and plumb before you remove them. I used a body jig and it really helped.



Don

[ProjectCamaro]

Thanks!!!

[David Pozzi]

I agree. Mine had undercoating on & near the frame rails and the rear drops behind the rear wheels. I'd heat those areas with a torch and scrape as much of it off as you can. Then the sand blaster can remove the rest of it.

[BigRedCamaro]

Based on my experience I would not remove them. Not only are they needed for structural integrity but they will be important points of reference when you install your new frame rails. Make sure everything is square and plumb before you remove them. I used a body jig and it really helped.

Don

Don has it correct! Keep the frame rails until you are ready to install the new ones and you're supported the read of the car properly. We've seen beautiful cars with warped quarter panels and twisted bodies because the builder didn't support the car properly before removing the rear frame and floor panels. There are a lot of forces at work. Good luck. We hope the blaster doesn't expose more than you're expecting. ;)