Projects 56 Fairlane frame question

I think the main thing regardless of the welding job is if the bushings and lower A arms were dry fit or in place while this welding was done. That way you know stuff is aligned a bit.
I have seen all kinds of welding, as long as it holds.

I would just say, he should of welded the ****ed up frame, then add the gussets or plates to reinforce. Perhaps he wanted it be to stronger.
What is done is done. Unless someone here will go help?

A lot of people here will have issues, but ***emble it and drop it down on the jack, if if breaks, well call another welder.

 

I should have just kept it to myself. I don't get critical of others. I figure when you are our age you know what you are doing and maybe just want to show others your car and how it is going.
Then they come out and pounce all over it and even go so far as to tell you to chew out the welder.

 

This comment is normal and not offensive.And correct, if on ***embly it is not correct, it can be fixed.

 

I have to agree, it would have been less work and a better looking job had he done what Steve said.

 

Steve is correct IF you were going to put just the cross member back in your existing frame leaving it complete. As said with the fenders and radiator cross mount still in the car it would be very difficult to cut out the original welds. It appears the stock frame was cut to the dimension of what was bought then hopefully **** welded together ground smooth then plated like the typical lowered C frame rear suspensions we see and never complain about.

MrYeats states and it looks like the plates are indeed thicker than the frame. If it’s aligned well it’s way better than what he had and probably stronger. To many not pretty as it takes skill to weld under a car and it a difficult weld position and sometimes not even recommended. I’m sure it’s as strong or stronger than original at that place on the frame since he stated plates were on all sides.

Returning all the stock parts including the bumper brackets will be the tale.

I believe the page Hot Rod Reverend shows welded plates on the original front crossmember and not a replacement on the photos I saw.

 

Looks to me like a nice ride. Hopefully it all bolts up and aligns right. Enjoy the ride.

 

Looks to me like he'll have issues with the sway bar and front bumper...

I believe that if he had pulled the remaining grill, the two splash tins on either side of the radiator and maybe the radiator, leaving the fenders, inner fenders and main radiator mount frame, there would have been enough room to get in there and cut/grind the old crossmember out without damaging the remaining frame structure.

 

Where did you get disk brakes from?

 

Hopefully from a reputable supplier that uses or manufactures correct or parts engineered for the 1956 Ford application and not off shore “replacement” parts.

 

Scarebird used to sell brackets that bolt to your original spindles. I think the used s-10 or Ranger rotors,callipers, pads?

 

https://www.cl***icindustries.com/

 

Did you get the front end back together after the front crossmember was replaced?

 

Weren't these crossmembers available from a guy in Oklahoma somewhere. Seems like I rember reading about them. They were built from all new materials.

 

I believe not any longer…

 

I'm going to add my 2 cents here for what it's worth, and maybe later wish I hadn't, but....as a moderator on another forum, it's often difficult to draw a line between support and/ or critique / criticism, but the bottom line is..forums like the Hamb are meant to help people get things right. Like it or not, it is the RESPONSABILITY of the knowledgeable members to point out when things are not done right, as Steve has apparently done ( I honestly don't know ). Otherwise, if left unsaid, others will ***ume it was done correctly and possibly attack their project that way. I know it's tough to swallow, and that your mobile welder did not have an easy task at hand, but....
I do hope it works out ok for you as is.
Rich