US Cartool lower radiator support

[soundcontrol]

You guys who have done this, do you weld up all the holes in the front to the stock support also?

[Cuda Cody]

That's the first I'd ever seen that stiffener.   

[61K T/A]

I bought the Level II stiffening kit from them. I was told by John you can either remove or just weld it over your existing support. I plan on fitting it over my existing one. That pic looks like it was fitted over the support.

[soundcontrol]

I bought the Level II stiffening kit from them. I was told by John you can either remove or just weld it over your existing support. I plan on fitting it over my existing one. That pic looks like it was fitted over the support.

Yes, it's over the stock support, but my stock one was sticking out about 1/4" on each side of the frame, so it did not fit, and if I had welded it like that I would have welded it to the spotwelded flaps that attaches the stock support to the frame, (no direct contact with the frame in other words), so I removed the spotwelds and tucked the flaps in, will reweld those on the inside of the  new radiator support, this way the new support is welded direct to the framerails. Was thinking of removing the stock support but it will be even stronger with it in place.

There is more pictures of that in my resto thread.

https://forum.e-bodies.org/your-restoration-project-roseville-moparts/10/70-challenger-conv-restomod-6-1-hemi/337/

[cataclysm80]

I prefer the XV made piece.

Either way, make sure to check your radiator fit before welding!

[soundcontrol]

I prefer the XV made piece.

Either way, make sure to check your radiator fit before welding!

The XV looks easier to fit! Yep, I test fitted the radiator. Thanks.

[Blake@diyhemi.com]

My original lower brace was bent and ugly. I cut it out and just used the us cartool piece. Looks great and is a noticeable improvement.


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[Blake@diyhemi.com]

I prefer the XV made piece.

Either way, make sure to check your radiator fit before welding!

The XV looks easier to fit! Yep, I test fitted the radiator. Thanks.

The dimpled radiator brace from us car took is their second version. They used to make and sell a tubular version similar to XV but round stock instead of square. It just kind of looked out of place compared to the Cnc cut and dimple dyed version.


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[GoodysGotaCuda]

I welded just a few of the holes.

[soundcontrol]

I welded just a few of the holes.

I was thinking, since it in front of the car, dirt and moisture might get in between the panels and cause rust. I 2k epoxied the inside and put a black topcoat also, but if it is completely sealed it will last longer.

[gumby]

Installation pics on U.S. Car Tool website show welding all of the holes up.

http://store.uscartool.com/70-74-e-body-core-support-stiffener.html

[GCragtop]

Cut the original - no need to leave it there.

[Moprr]

I cut my original out as I did not want to weld all the circles.  When had it all welded in I found it still abit flimbsy so I boxed it in.  It clears my aftermarket rad not sure about original.

[soundcontrol]

I left my original, and welded the holes, its nice and sturdy. Half way done in the pict.

[392 Cuda]

For those of you who cut out the orignal core support, did you weld the overlapping piece that was seam-sealed onto the old core support with some weld-thru primer (behind the areas in red), or just cut it even with the core support and butt weld it to the new one to avoid overlapping metal?