So I want to do a convertible with my fiero and I found this good reinforcement build I'de like to do. http://www.madmechanics.com...e-reinforcement.html but there is no electricity where I have to work on the car (aside from my small generator) so I asked a friend if it would work to oxy-acytoline weld it together and he said "why don't you just bolt it on?" Would that work or would bolt on reinforcement be to weak?
The issue here is that you are not welding one flat surface to another flat surface. I suspect you will find that you don't have good locations for the bolts to hold things together.
I had a convertible fiero. The subframe was bolted in, then welded. I wouldn't go with bolts alone, as the chassis on the fiero is made up of "sheet metal" and you don't have good anchor points, like on a typically framed vehicle (truck/old car).
I don't want to do the x frame as you loose ground clearance and cut off access to the gas tank. The design I linked does kind of a box thing and doesn't loose clearance or the tank. Do you think a combination of bolting and welding will work?
Archie did the strongest frame reinforcement I've seen. Check out Yarmouth Fieros build in the construction forum. Both of those are the best I've seen.
[This message has been edited by dratts (edited 07-19-2013).]
I don't want to do the x frame as you loose ground clearance and cut off access to the gas tank. The design I linked does kind of a box thing and doesn't loose clearance or the tank. Do you think a combination of bolting and welding will work?
Check out the link, as the frame has a section that can be unbolted to remove tank.
Frames are welded together for a reason - just saying. Bolt it up to get it together, then have it welded when you can move it someplace that you can do this.
As for oxy welding... take it somewhere there is electrical service. There is a substantial amount of cutting/fitting which will be difficult if your only "tool" is a torch.
Good thread but I don't think I have the skills to completely replace structural pieces of the car. As for welding I'm trying to figure out if between my Jeep and my portable generator I have the juice to run an arc welder.
A lot of upside-down welding.
