odonnell

Since I bought my NA, the fore/aft rails that run under the front half of the car (and eventually fade into the tub) have been deformed from years of being used to lift the car. They're crumpled in and even split in a few places. I'm curious to know what some good options are for repair - I am not a welder but I'm willing to pay to have it done correctly. Has anyone done this before? I'm not going to ditch the tub over it.

MAGK944

https://www.928motorsports.com/parts...points_944.php

V2Rocket

I did the same thing to my car as what 928motorsports offers - ground off the under coating, and welded a long piece of u-channel steel to the rails over the damaged spots, then re-coated...

odonnell

Yeah I've seen that product and I'm definitely getting those for my 951 before I do damage. My issue is that the pushed-in sections span more length that that. Guessing that U-channel steel is my best bet.

Jay Wellwood

Works for Coupes...not for Cabs though.

V2Rocket

cabs got a perfect sturdy flat floor.
though always hard to find the right spot to lift by...but IIRC the cabs are actually stiffer than the coupes because of how overbuilt the floor is!

Noahs944

Sure. I'd think u channel but you might go with rectangular tubing if the dimensions are right & gain some rigidity.

Personally, I wouldn't cut any out before supporting the car evenly below to prevent distorting the car. maybe the be best method is supporting the car with blocks under the tires (no jacks).

Heck maybe the best method isn't to cut the old out, but just weld the new sections over the old?

odonnell

That's what I was thinking...just use a wire wheel and get them absolutely spotless, followed by some solvent to remove lingering oils or underspray. It'll be a few months out but I really want this car to be perfect.

Noahs944

I'm guessing you'll have to heavily modify whatever "stock" you buy... ie, lots of grinding. And maybe have to tighten or increase the gap of the c channel to snuggly fit over. You also might want to paint the back side before welding & screw it on from the bottom and use clamps to lock it on from the sides (or screws there also. Then weld up the screw holes after, but leave drain holes (so maybe plan where you want drain holes & cut them before attaching. Seems like a good project bro.

Tiger03447

After you finish all the welding and hacking, you can pull the chassis plugs on the inside of the rails and spray the interior of the rails with fluid film. On the early cars, there is a plug, which is heavily undercoated at the forward edge of the rear wheel arch, that lines up perfectly with the rocker interior. I sprayed mine with fluid film inside the rocker too...might not be necessary in Houston though...