fame rails

So when building a frame from scratch, what sized materials have you all used? And how much hp/trq are you running on that/those frames?

I have a '34 Chev pickup that a customer wants built into a custom rat rod. It'll start as a rat rod but as he saves up more money, we'll slowly build into a full on street rod. So, we want the frame to be good and sturdy and able to handle a good 5-600rwhp later, but will only be handling 3-400rwhp at first.

I know that structural design is an important part and it will be built properly, but what materials have you all used?

Cheers
Kevin

 

We have used 2x4 boxed steel for the one we built, it had a close to stock 350 and auto. Zd 12 in the rear, no problems to this day. He drives it quite a bit durring the summer months.

 

Kevin,

Rat Rod frame rails are usually made out of cardboard or particle board can be acceptable.
Street rods generally require frame rails that will be gold plated so a good thick tin based metal will do fine.

All jokes aside.
.125 for mild applications (common early production stampings were .125) or 3/16's for heavy will usually do it.

Or as noted above you could use rec. tube.

 

i like 3/16wall 2x3 rect. tubing

 

I used 1/8" thick 2" X 4". Stock 289/auto.

 

I use differnt sizes, 2x3 2x4 and 2x5 but allways 3/16

 

.120 wall 2" x 4" rectangular tubing is a good place to start. Art Morisson uses it for a lot of his frames. The key to strength is in the frame's ability to resist the twisting forces imposed by torque and suspension dynamics. This means you need to design your center cross member to do more than support the transmission. A cross member forward of the rear suspension with a drive shaft hoop provides a lot of strength and a good place to anchor rear suspension arms or "bars."

 

I used the same tubing for the rails on the car in my avatar.
302 engine, auto.

 

A "K" member or "X" member will strengthen the frame substantially.

 

Awesome, good info, keep it commin.

I guess the next question will be: Got pics of your frame designs? and finished frames?

We found an unknow year Fargo box to use on the project yesterday. That's goin to ook pretty rad when I'm done.

Cheers
Kevin

 

Here's one I did for my truck...117" wheel base. 6 1/2" front Z and 14" rear Z. Used 2x4x.120 wall............

 

s**** metal, you goin to the M&G?

 

Good info, got any pics of what you mean?