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VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
My car is a '90 VNT Competition Package Shadow that I have owned since April of '96, and it's currently the "project" car that I started 5 years ago, and went on hiatus since '07.
As you can see from the pix, the rear crossmember frame section needs some TLC. (you can also tell that I sandblasted the areas and never got around to sealing them back then, too) The car only saw a few winters, so believe it or not.... that's the only rust areas on the car! I tend to see these fwd Mopars all rust right in that area as it's between the spare tire well, and the fuel tank.
I have some ideas on the fix: Hammer into shape some thin steel (1/16" or 1/32") into a "U" shape as a repair cover piece that will fit right over the existing u-channel frame section with the rotted hole in it. Weld it over so it's structual, too... but not before treating the rusted thick steel reinforcement inside the actual frame. On the driver's and passenger's ends where this crossmember ties into the R+L frame rails, will need addressing, too. When they stamped it into it's shape (like wings) it made it thin, so it also rusted through easier. Before I sandblasted it all in '07, I used a needle gun to break away the scale, not knowing it would actually blow away all the punky parts of the frame's ends.
I also plan to hammer into shape a "cover" section for each end, as well, and weld it into place.
So, what's everyone's input?
Some may also notice the gas tank strap studs and the panhard bar's brace/bracket's stud sheared off, too. (I was impatient in '07 and didn't use heat... duhhh!)
How did any of you guys fix the broken panhard bracket's stud? I am going to have to cut open through the floor on top of the frame and drill out the old one, and make/weld in a new one. I plan to use something much better than mild steel.
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Drilling out spotwelds is so simple... My vote is find a parts car with some good steel...
That piece should come off pretty easy if you drill the spot welds.. The only tricky part might be if it tucks b/t the frame rail and the floorpan...
Armed only with an air hammer I could have that sucker out of there cleanly in about 10 minutes...
You have to cut out all the rust anyway..... So you might as well make it right... The only trick is going to be finding a suitable donor car...
And don't forget to pick up a can of 3M's weld thru primer http://3mcollision.com/products/coat...-ii-05917.html To hit all of those areas you will not be able to put paint on once everything is back together.....
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Yeah, just have a ton of extra bits! It's time consuming, but you'll have time wrapped up in welding either way. Probably be better redoing one piece than attaching patches/separate pieces ya know?
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
pop the spot welds and try to remove the entire piece as one unmangled section. I think a good metal fabricator could replicate that using one layer of thicker metal instead of that multilayered approach so it wont rot out from the inside again.
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
did you check to see if you could buy that part new from the dealer?
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rich tideswell
did you check to see if you could buy that part new from the dealer?
I tried the dealer 4 years ago, no go. I'm in the same situation but not as rusty near the ends.
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
it wouldn't shock me that the cross bar is common through out most of the Kcars, i bet one from a spirit or something would work if he can't find a cheap shadow
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
If it is the same as a daytona... I have a one that will be really really easy to get to if you want it..
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Tc1OS5qcGc.jpg
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vipernbox
Let me look into this and get back to you, ok? Actually, I'll just PM ya!
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
I was going to replace that piece with box tubing. My plan was to replace the rear springs/shocks with a pair of coilovers bolted to that crossmember and the axle.
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
4548478 i think is the daytona number, cross reff with the shadow
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rich tideswell
4548478 i think is the daytona number, cross reff with the shadow
4548477 according to the paper in front of me right now, and it is for P and G bodies like you said.
I am going to take Viper up on his offer, even though the donor car is an '88 g body. Looking up on the e-fiche 135sohc was kind enough to link me to last month, that # for the '88 assembly is different. But da-ham! It looks so identical.
Anyone with experience swapping something like this from an '88 to a '90?
Sux how almost every P-body rots there... this car has been garaged winters almost it's entire life.
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
I guess before I pop it off there I could jack up the 90 vnt daytona here at the house and see if anything is clearly different. It could be a panhard bar location change or something like that. Probably something really simple though. Ill bet the door would have different part number just because of the way the trim panels attach. I can't image the frame rail spacing or the floor pan would have changed
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vipernbox
I guess before I pop it off there I could jack up the 90 vnt daytona here at the house and see if anything is clearly different. It could be a panhard bar location change or something like that. Probably something really simple though. Ill bet the door would have different part number just because of the way the trim panels attach. I can't image the frame rail spacing or the floor pan would have changed
If it's just a different location for that stud (panhard bracket) I'll still take it as I could make/install one where it's supposed to be at. I'll take that one off your VNT though! hehehe (kidding)
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
You wouldn't want the one off the vnt car. Trust me. It is probably going to become a parts car. The cancer is bad on that heap. And I really want that vnt turbo on my dune buggy. :)
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vipernbox
You wouldn't want the one off the vnt car. Trust me. It is probably going to become a parts car. The cancer is bad on that heap. And I really want that vnt turbo on my dune buggy. :)
Alrighty then...
Hey, you got my PM last night, right?
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
yep.. I got the PM.. I will work on that tomorrow sometime..
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
here ya go.... It might be tough to drill of the spot welds from your car from the bottom... But I would try and certainly try to only drill through the part you are replacing... (they make spot cutters or you can sharpen one of you own drill bit "flat" to get that done...
I got a bit carried away and made a mess of the floor... But b/t dragging it in the shop and popping this thing off... 15 minutes tops... I would expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour to get yours off cleanly without damaging the floor, framerails ect... (and you won't be able to stand on top of it to work :) )
If you get stuck on the backside by the spare tire wheel... You should be able to get to most of those spot welds from the inside....
Some weld thru primer to make sure rust never comes back is a MUST....
Some sheetmetal screws to hold it tight in place while welding it up... this should be a done deal for ya...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...TQxNC5qcGc.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...TQxMy5qcGc.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...TQxMy5qcGc.jpg
Re: VNT Rear Crossmember Fix Suggestions
Thanks again for doing that. Glad it only took you 15 minutes.
I'll PM ya now with my address, and you give me your's too, for our dealio!