DeTomaso Mailing List: January 98, Message #8
     



From: 	JDeRyke <JDeRyke@aol.com>

Subject: Re:  Chassis stiffening (was powder coat wheels/tire options)

Date: 	Thu, 1 Jan 1998 18:20:36 +0000



Some rear chassis stiffening can be done via a bolt-in setup like Ron Siple

sells  (Reno, NV area) to replace the stock spreader bar (see July '96 POCA

newsletter), but for real stiffening, seam-weld the whole subframe area plus

the crack-prone places, then add a welded roll cage. Cages are rated by the

number of tie-points to the body/chassis; thus a "six-point" cage will fasten

to the car in 6 places. I've seen 13-point cages (not Panteras) which are

really tube-frame cars. Jacking up one of these at any point lifts 3 wheels

off the ground, and doors open/close normally while jacked up! DeTomaso used

to offer a full cage from about '75 onward in their parts catalogue. It gives

an idea what a dedicated welder could do locally. A stiff chassis enhances any

existing antiroll bars, too. J DeRyke