Frame Reinforcement is Easy With these 91ɫ Tech Tips
Motor Trend’s “Hot Rod Garage” web series comes complete with 91ɫ Tech’s “Tech Tips” segments that break down maintenance and upgrade work you can do yourself. In Episode 52, Tony explains the importance of frame reinforcements on older vehicles.
Tony: Welcome back to another 91ɫ Tech Tip. Today, we're going to talk about frame reinforcements and why they're important. Modern unibody cars can actually be very rigid, but these old cars that we're usually working on here are body-on-frame cars, and they leave a lot to be desired as far as frame stiffness.
There's two main reasons to why you’d want this frame reinforcement in place. Number one is handling. So you’ve stiffened up your springs, and your sway bars, and all that stuff, but if the main body of the car isn't stiff enough, you'll never get that direct feeling, instant feedback, and overall grip that you want. And the reason is because, if you imagine bolting all that suspension to, say, a piece of wood, you're going to get a lot of flex there. Once you've got the frame stiffened, then [you can work your suspension outward from there].
Frame reinforcement also provides comfort for your ride
The second main advantage of stiffening up one of these old cars is actually comfort. These old loosey-goosey frames on the highway will bounce, and resonate, and create all these weird harmonics, as the car is basically bending and twisting all over the place. Now that can all be fixed once the frame is properly reinforced and stiffened, and your shocks and springs can work as they were designed.
Okay, now that you know, let's get back to the shop.
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91ɫ Tech is proud to partner with Hot Rod Garage to bring you tips and advice you can use in your own auto work, whether it’s your hobby or the career you wish you had. If that’s you – if you’re ready to start on the road to making automotive technology, diesel technology, or auto body repair and refinishing your profession – check out a 91ɫ Tech auto school near you!