[66dream]

I found someone with a lift that is willing to help me install a frame strenghtening kit.
My question....
Which kit to purchase, keep in mind I do not want to remove the body from the frame to install frame kit.
Looking at this kit from speedtech

Speedtech Performance 30709: CHASSIS BRACE KIT CHEVELL - JEGS High Performance

Buy Speedtech Performance 30709 at JEGS: Speedtech Performance CHASSIS BRACE KIT CHEVELL. Guaranteed lowest price!

www.jegs.com

Also saw this one from Summit

1966 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Summit Racing SUM-770830 Summit Racing™ Frame Brace Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ Frame Brace Kits with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Chassis Stiffeners at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Please help

 

[67283restore]

I have a Helwig FX kit for sale for 66-67, new in box
Not sure these kits can be installed w/o removing body from chassis

 

[LaVelle]

Home built. Saved $ 500.00 No body removal.

 

[Rich-L79]

I'm going to make an educated guess that mostly what these frame strengthening kits do is add weight and empty pockets. On my wagon I used an El Camino frame (boxed, like a convertible frame) and used poly body mounts. Please do realize that the body itself is a feature that keeps the frame from bending and twisting and that poly mounts keep the movement between the body and frame to a minimum. Point being, I can jack the car by the frame just behind the front wheel and the rear wheel comes off the ground at the same time as the front.

The biggest weakness in these frames is exactly where they are most beefy, right at the firewall where they bend inward and upward. No real quick fix bolt on/weld on solution for that aside from a roll cage tied into the front of the frame. The second biggest weakness is the front frame horns hanging out in space holding the sway bar, steering box and idler arm. There are some bolt on solutions for some of this but I don't know how effective they are.

 

[rpol78]

I would go with the Hellwig kit Products - Hellwig Products. It mimics the convertible/El Camino bracing and adds another body mount.

On my car I found a damaged El Camino frame and cut the boxing out and welded it into my frame. It sure stiffened it up alot.

 

[66dream]

Home built. Saved $ 500.00 No body removal.


View attachment 720212

nice

 

[66dream]

im leaning toward the Summit kit now. I think it also can be installed without removing the body from the frame.

 

[AndrewStClair]

i wouldn't install the brace kit with the body on and it on a hoist your just gonna weld it with a bunch of fukced up tension on it. if anything box it and call it good till you're ready to do it right.

 

[MFortie]

I have a Helwig FX kit for sale for 66-67, new in box
Not sure these kits can be installed w/o removing body from chassis

What are you looking to get for the FX kit?

 

[67_LS1]

I'm going to make an educated guess that mostly what these frame strengthening kits do is add weight and empty pockets. On my wagon I used an El Camino frame (boxed, like a convertible frame) and used poly body mounts. Please do realize that the body itself is a feature that keeps the frame from bending and twisting and that poly mounts keep the movement between the body and frame to a minimum. Point being, I can jack the car by the frame just behind the front wheel and the rear wheel comes off the ground at the same time as the front.

The biggest weakness in these frames is exactly where they are most beefy, right at the firewall where they bend inward and upward. No real quick fix bolt on/weld on solution for that aside from a roll cage tied into the front of the frame. The second biggest weakness is the front frame horns hanging out in space holding the sway bar, steering box and idler arm. There are some bolt on solutions for some of this but I don't know how effective they are.

I agree. I believe boxing open C section of the frame is where the additional strength come from. I don’t understand how all of the other tubes add anything but weight.
I wish there was a way to strengthen the front frame horns too. Something that wouldn’t interfere with the radiator, bumper, sway bar, steering box, etc. Short of a cage, I don’t see how.

 

[66dream]

going to put the car on a 4 post lift with body attached so, I don't see how there could be "a bunch of welded in tension on the car"
Care to explain?

 

[Rich-L79]

going to put the car on a 4 post lift with body attached so, I don't see how there could be "a bunch of welded in tension on the car"
Care to explain?

If you lift by the wheels (car sitting on the suspension) you'll be fine. If you lift the car by the frame, the frame will flex. For example, you'd put the jack pads on the frame just behind the front wheels, then when you lift it, the front of the frame will bend downward due to the weight of the engine, front suspension and front sheet metal. These cars flex a LOT.