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I recently jacked up the rear corners of my 56 to install the fenders. I knew that these frames were built to flex but I had no idea just how much flex there was in this chassis. There was a great deal of twisting force placed on the bed...I had not anticipated this at all. I had thought that there would be some twist but I didn't ever think that it would be this much. The chassis has a Volare IFS and a Midfifty "flip kit" on the rear end which has blocking plates installed at the frame notches...other than that the frame is stock and in good condition. My main concern now is that any custom work that I have done to the bed may suffer with time as the result of the flex in the frame.
Has anyone done any research on frame flex or have a source for someone who has? I am looking for methods to eliminate the flex...I don't want to just jump in and box the entire frame only to find that the flex is diminished but still remains. Thanks in advance.
Lots of flex even the cab has much, always install new rubber mount kit under cab--- this is why all my brake lines at master cylinders all have LOOPS in them-- I see a few crack and brake off---
I do not think you can or do you want to stop the FLEX---
Something to consider might be to mount the bed using springs under the bolts, like Ford did with gas tanks on the 30's cars and the radiator supports pre '53. It allows for separate movement of the components from the flexing of the frame without breaking anything.
Something to consider might be to mount the bed using springs under the bolts, like Ford did with gas tanks on the 30's cars and the radiator supports pre '53. It allows for separate movement of the components from the flexing of the frame without breaking anything.
Wayne, what year is that radiator support. And car or truck? My brother has one that looks like it and he'd like to ID it so he can sell it.
Wayne, what year is that radiator support. And car or truck? My brother has one that looks like it and he'd like to ID it so he can sell it.
It's a picture I pulled off of google images that was posted to this forum. It is a 48-52 rad support with the fender braces as attached on the sides. It even has the little filler/deflector plates at the upper corners to seal around the radiator and hood deflectors.
I like what you have done with your frame and that is one of the options I am considering. Here is a photo of the TCI chassis under my 40 Ford...the crossmembers look very similar to those you have used. From a purely structural aspect, the frame rails flex in the vertical axis and they also rotate about the horizontal axis. Boxing the frame will help each frame member but connecting the right and left frame members together will virtually eliminate the twisting of the frame as a whole. It might just be time to start looking at an aftermarket chassis and get the upgraded IFS/IRS at the same time.
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