Mini-tub shock crossmember

[K5Cruiser]

I have a '72 Nova that I've almost finished doing a mini-tub on. The mini-tubs were done the old fashioned way by simply moving the stock tubs in and putting in a strip of metal. Now that I've got that portion completed I've started to think about the upper shock mounts. I've looked at the DSE crossmember, and I've searched on this site for its dimensions. I plan on lowering the car in the future, so I'll need the additional room for the shocks.

Those that have used the DSE crossmember, or something similar, are you mounting your upper shock mounts directly to the 1/8" thick sheet metal? I was thinking of bending up a piece of sheet metal to raise the trunk floor, and then welding in a tubular crossmember underneath going from one side of the frame to the other to serve as the actual upper shock mounts. At what angle, or how far in should the upper shocks mounts be tilted in toward the center of the car? Thanks for any input, and if you have pics of your shock crossmember and mounting, please post them.

[K5Cruiser]

Okay guys, I know there are quite a few mini-tubbed 1st gen Camaros around here, and some 68-72 Novas that have had the same done to them. I plan on doing this on Saturday, so I'd like to be prepared. How did you guys mount your rear shocks? Where did you cut the trunk pan.

[toxicz28]

How did you guys mount your rear shocks? Where did you cut the trunk pan.

DSE mounting brackets welded directly to the crossmember. The centerline of the original shocks would be the centerline of the new crossmember. Cut the pan accordingly. Good luck.

[MrQuick]

You can span a piece of 1x2 .120 wall tube across the top frame rails inside the trunk and weld a piece of 5/16" tap plate to mount the shocks to. If you are running coil overs you will need a bigger bar.