First time posting here and I need help with my first running Studebaker project, a 55 Hardtop Coupe
Inspection/Problem
Driver side frame rail, bottom plate is ready to crumble and the torque box is a tattered mess. Passenger frame rail is good, but the torque box needs replacement. Crossmembers look good. The car is reasonably solid for 58 yr car.
Inspecting the driver side frame rail shows the joint between the top C channel and lower bottom plate has up to 1/8 inch cracks running 6+ inches near the rear leaf spring support. Cracks run near the bottom material that is ready to crumble. So this needs to be corrected.
Options
1 Can one knock out the bad lower plate, trim the ragged C channel and weld to the remaining parts (in their own home garage)? Then put in the torque boxes. Is this option a fools folly?
2 What are other cost effective options?
3 Best longer term solution new frame - Aside from the Art Morrison frames, does anyone fabricate new frames?
I really dont want to pull the car off the frame for several years due to time, space, and money constraints. However, I can sit on this project for an indefinite time.
Finally, where the heck would someone lift these cars with a standard shop two post lift? I am assuming it's on the frame even if they are 12 inches in from the body, but I wasn't sure if the front cross member and rear leaf spring support is acceptable.
Thanks
Inspection/Problem
Driver side frame rail, bottom plate is ready to crumble and the torque box is a tattered mess. Passenger frame rail is good, but the torque box needs replacement. Crossmembers look good. The car is reasonably solid for 58 yr car.
Inspecting the driver side frame rail shows the joint between the top C channel and lower bottom plate has up to 1/8 inch cracks running 6+ inches near the rear leaf spring support. Cracks run near the bottom material that is ready to crumble. So this needs to be corrected.
Options
1 Can one knock out the bad lower plate, trim the ragged C channel and weld to the remaining parts (in their own home garage)? Then put in the torque boxes. Is this option a fools folly?
2 What are other cost effective options?
3 Best longer term solution new frame - Aside from the Art Morrison frames, does anyone fabricate new frames?
I really dont want to pull the car off the frame for several years due to time, space, and money constraints. However, I can sit on this project for an indefinite time.
Finally, where the heck would someone lift these cars with a standard shop two post lift? I am assuming it's on the frame even if they are 12 inches in from the body, but I wasn't sure if the front cross member and rear leaf spring support is acceptable.
Thanks
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