You can see the recreated radiator support and the finished crossmember.
Garth Webb (www.webberchassis.com) installed one of our Mustang II kits in a customer’s 1957 Ford, and I followed along with a camera. Hopefully this will give some insight into what’s required on a “custom” install (where the frame doesn’t normally lend itself to an easy install).
Here is the stock ’57 frame. You can see the springs mounted ‘inside’ the frame rails. These front rails will have to be cut off and a new pair of rails fabricated.
Once the chassis was sitting at ride height, Garth started to make fixtures for fender mounts and the radiator support.
Here is the radiator support fixture.
After the original front section of the chassis is lopped off, Garth and the customer established the ride height for the Ford.
It’s important to use the same size wheel/tire combination to mock up the ride height, so you know exactly what it’s going to look like when it goes down the road.
You can see the fender mount fixture in this picture, as well as the beautiful new front frame rails.
To start laying out the crossmember location, Garth first bought shares of 3M then covered the frame rails in masking tape.
Another angle of the kick up/out he put in the rails. A good width for a 56″ crossmember in a custom chassis is 29-30″ outside.
Here’s where Garth blended the new frame rails to the original rails at the firewall.
“Maye I should have put tape on the inside too…” It’s ok, Garth, the outside is good enough
Garth begins laying out the lines which will position the crossmember and upper towers.
Follow the instructions carefully!
The crossmember has been tacked in place, and the upper towers are being positioned on the appropriate lines.
Instructions for trimming the tower and crossmember are included with the kit and also available online.
You can see the recreated radiator support and the finished crossmember.
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