Thoughts on repairing frame rails and pinch welds

[LIV4PSI]

So after owning a VR4 for a few years, my build has turned more into a restoration. I realized there are very few "nice" VR4s out there. Honestly, I have only seen one in person that I considered to be clean. Anyways, I am getting ready to redo the coating underneath the car, and in the wheel wells. So now is the time to tackle the pinch welds and frame rails.

First, lets start with frame rails. I know Curtis has made some before, is this something I could have a local shop replicate? There is only one spot that is dented in, but trying to remove the dent sounds sketchy to me.

Now for the pinch welds. One side is pretty decent, other side is rather messed up. I assume bending them straight would weaken them worse, but does it matter? Can certain sections be replaced? I don't really have any insight into how to approach fixing them

Its not like 1501 is ever headed for Pebble Beach or anything, but I don't want to leave any stones unturned.

 

[FlyingEagle]

Well, from what I know of most body panels, they are usually spot welded to other sheets.
You can always drill out the spot welds, and pull the panel off, and reshape it back to its former glory, and blast,prime and paint the inside. Final step, install with a welder, and then paint and prime the outside areas. Seems like a whole lot of work for something no one will ever see, but I know how you feel about bent paneling.

Curtis makes some frame rail supports/connectors, but they add to what is there from what I recall, but I could be wrong. I've only seen them put up against an existing frame, but I think they weld in, and reduce ground clearance in that area, as a result. Somebody else must know about those more specifically.

 

[iceman69510]

I have straightened bent pinch welds before. I don't think it weakens them. There are most likely three layers welded together there.

I personally hate the look of those crushed, so I like to fix them with vise grips/hammer and dolly as well as I can.

 

[89Mirageman]

^^^Funny you mention that. Any time I go to look at a car I squat down to see if anybody used a floor jack on the pinch welds.

 

[LIV4PSI]

Thanks for the replies. I have seen actual replacement frame rails that Curtis made, they were on Terry's old car. I'm sure he has made connectors too, since the man is a mad scientist. The frame rails are structural, so it's not just about cosmetics.

Blacksheep, I'll give the hammer/dolly method a shot. I can remove some stuff and use some heat if needed as well. I don't need them to be perfect.

 

[slugsgomoo]

right, but those were in addition to the stock ones and got welded over the top, they didn't replace them.

 

[LIV4PSI]

It's all semantics I guess. But that is what I meant when I said replace them. If I could buy a set from Curtis I would

 

[ducttapeguy]

This is what looked like before I used pliers to straighten them out a bit.


They are by no means perfect, but still much better than they were and Im not done with them yet. This took about 10-15 mins per side with some robogrip like channel lock pliers

 

[tektic]

Necro this topic.. insted of new one.

How did you make out with your repair? I recently noticed the jack damage to my frame rails was more extensive then I thought. Both rails are almost entirely severed in spots from previous owners mistakes. It looks like the head of a sisor jack went right through it. I'd really like to strengthen up the floor for stability and handling as well.

I am weighing my options. I considered subframe connectors like Curtis made. I consider cutting out the top and droping in a 2x2 square tube in and closing it back up.
Or maybe the same thing but doing it from the bottom.
It would be nice to tie in the seat rails too but that's an after thought.

Or maybe I just drop it off at a body shop