Custom Built Frame How-tos?

[Ron Sutton]

You really have 3 critical areas of planning when designing & building a new frame:
1. Achieving adequate torsional rigidity versus weight
2. Packaging everything well
3. Suspension design

I've covered a lot of stuff in my threads about suspension, safety, aero, etc ... but I don't know if a person can cover enough in forum threads to teach how to properly design & build a car frame from scratch ... for someone that has never done it. Building your own frame will be challenging, but fun & rewarding. I would suggest you map out where everything goes, figure out your suspension designs & gather as much info as you can before you start cutting & welding steel.

I think the most important first step ... before any of these 3 areas ... is to clarify your priorities & goals for the car. Because along the way there will be compromises & decisions that have to be made. Over the years I have designed & continue to design a lot of chassis ... and the one thing that is always a challenge is packaging. Every time you make something better, optimum or closer to optimum ... it encroaches on something else. Then you have to decide what gives. This is where having clarity of your priorities & goals for the car will help you make these tough decisions.

My tips are:
a. Be patient
b. Plan it out
c. Learn lots before starting
d. Have fun with it
e. If you get in over your head, reach out to veteran frame builders



Best wishes !