Anybody make or have some budget frame stiffners for my 67? I will not be road racing but am rebuilding the rearend and putting on a sway bar, so it would be the time to do it. I'm not convinced I'd ever know the difference between high-end and stock, or even none at all for that matter, but I think it's a good idea to have them. Guess what I'm saying is budget is the optimum word. Anyone know of any?

The ones from Hotchkis and look cool, but I think a set of stock stiffeners are just as good. Probably get some off the classifieds for cheap. They're just to keep the frame from getting stress fractures. I don't know anyone that has ever cracked their frame. I'd still put them on there if I were you, but I would spend my money on other suspension pieces first.

By the way...

Alright you primitive screwheads, listen up. See this... This is my BOOMSTICK!

There are aftermarket ones that the repo guys sell, function and fit like the originals, but visually are not identical. Think they go for about $100.

Jeff,
I bought these for my '67 when BMR was running a sale earlier this year...
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/A-Body.htm
Nice stuff!
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/misc/RB01-02Small.jpg

Too bad you can't use a stock '68-'72 set of braces...I've got an extra pair. ;)

Ground Up has them for $89.95..
1964 1965 1966 1967 CHEVELLE REAR FRAME CROSSMEMBER BRACES (http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=DZ-2500&Category_Code=FRAMEBRACES)

Did I miss something about Chad's remarks about "primative screwheads"?

Did I miss something about Chad's remarks about "primative screwheads"?

Check his Sig. I think he's been hitting #2 a little hard today!!!:D:beers::beers:

I have an extra set with 12 bolt uppers and boxed lowers, all with new rubber bushings.

Jeffry,
Did you not get your sig from Army of Darkness?

I have a 10 bolt and I'm not really needing the control arms, but I would be interested in the stiffners.

Ill take some pics Weds of what I did with mine.

Chad,
No, it's from the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Gort was the the big robot and Klaatu was the humanoid that accompanies Gort thru the galaxy. Klaatu barada nikto was the command he told the lady lead to tell Gort if he is unable, which he was. Might of been in the 2008 remake too but I didn't see it.

That's right. His name was Klaatu, now I remember. In Army of Darkness, it's the spell Ash has to recite to get back to the present. Sam Raimi, the director, must have done it as an homage. I never realized that until now.

Good luck with that suspension. I'm about to dive into the suspension of my '67 in a couple weeks too

I'll be interested how your project goes because I want to get mine done before the Chevelle gathering in Sacramento next April. Using that as incentive because I'd like to drive down there. Let me know what problems you run into!

why dont you just make a set? do you have a welder? should only cost about $10 to make and about an hours time.

I agree with Luke. The stock ones are just a stick of steel with a hole on each end.

I got a set of boxed rear lowers, stock rear uppers, the braces, and a set of fat sway bars from a guy that went Hotchkis all around after a dropping a 600 horse 502 in his Chevelle. I'm gonna add a set of Hotchkis springs to what I have and polygraphite control arm bushings and ball joints. The lower rear control arms are already loaded with polyurethane bushings, so that's cool, but so are the uppers. I'm either going to just leave the uppers alone that are in there now, or more likely, press in new rubber ones. I'd like to get the Edelbrock adjustable rear uppers with the spherical ball ends, but like you, budget is the optimum word. The rear suspension looks pretty straight forward, just do one piece at a time.

Are you just getting into the rear, or the front also?

Luke,
I wish I did have a welder, but then again, I'd have to learn to weld. Did a little arc welding many years ago, but technology has probably changed allot.

Chad,
Have new dropped springs and shocks for the rear plus I'm blasting the control arms, rebushing them, boxing the lowers, and have an oversized rear sway.
For the front I have a disc conversion with 2" dropped spindles, new springs, Edelbrock IAS shocks, oversized front sway, (courtesy of Kyle in Aloha), have a set of A-arms that I've removed the ball joints and bushings, blasted and awaiting paint and new bushings. I've already done the Grand Cherokee steering box conversion to it. Have been amassing the parts for over a year and still need the lower bushings, idler arm, tie rods, and the rear shocks before I can start. That's why I've been selling all my excess to buy the things I need to finish. Just no money in my budget for anything unless I sell something. I'm starting to learn you can spend as much on the stuff you don't see, as the stuff you do.

Hello
Just another suggestion for you! I wanted to leave you know that UMI Performance also offers a set of frame braces that will met your needs. Below is a link to show you what we have to offer! Remember all of our products are proudly made right here in the USA!

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_172&products_id=285&zenid=ulh9pesnn9qoajdigjui6298m7

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help!
Thanks
Brad :D

Sounds like you got a big pile of goodies. You still have stuff to sell? Maybe something I need...

Jeffry72, pm sent. Chadillac, were you referring to me about parts? I do have some odds and ends left over.

yeah, always keeping an eye out for '67 guys with parts they want to get rid of

What are you looking for?

Been keeping my eye out for an original '67 SS hood

why dont you just make a set? do you have a welder? should only cost about $10 to make and about an hours time.

If it cost $10 and you can make them in a normal garage in an hour, it will look like a hack job or as some people call it, "custom".

IMO, Do it right or don't do it at all.

I tried making those braces that go to the lower control arms, wound up buying a set of Edelbrocks, they fit absolutely perfectly. Very nice piece for the money. Im not a great fabriactor/welder so in this case it was easier to buy..

If it cost $10 and you can make them in a normal garage in an hour, it will look like a hack job or as some people call it, "custom".

IMO, Do it right or don't do it at all.

So I doin it right means to buy a set for over $100 all I was doing was offering an alternative. Metal is pretty cheap so materials to build should cost $10 maybe $15 I have no Idea what tools he has just offering a suggestion. I do this for a living and have tons of fabrication equipment and tools so ya time wise I could do it in about 45 min to an hour might take someone who doesnt have "all the right tools" a couple of hours but if finances are tight and you have the time they can be built for fairly cheap.
I agree with you to "Do it right or don't do it at all". I live by that standard and my work shows it.

Made mine and proud of it. They look a lot like the UMI's and are "Custom Fit". Do it if you can and don't if you can't - just like everything else on these old beasts. The stock ones are slotted on one end to allow for manufacturing and assembly tolerances and that will allow movement under load. The UMI style will not allow movement because they are a precise fit.