I set out to build a new pair of frame rails so I could get my car driveable again. Both rails are rotted out and in need of replacement. Here's how I built the frame rail:
First, the car. Driver's side isn't NEARLY as bad as the passenger side. This is what a Michigan daily driver looks like after 28 years:
[pic somehow deleted?]
Starting with a 2" square tubing 4ft long, 14 gauge steel (couldn't get 16 gauge locally), spent about 45 minutes removing all the mill scale from the outside of the rail, so the paint will stick to it, and there is a nice clean metal surface to draw on, and weld to later. Used a cup-type wire wheel in a grinder.
Next, I started transfering the measurements from the blueprint to the rail. Starting on the top, measuring over 19", drawing a straight line using a rafter angle square, to make sure the line is perpendicular to the piece, drawing the lines on all four sides, and using a small protractor to get the angles correct, which turned out to be 9, 11, 5, and 25 degrees, respectively
Then, using a cutting wheel in the grinder to cut inside the area to be removed, following the lines to remove the pieces.
All pieces cut out and removed
Next, I tack welded the pieces together.
Checked the angles against the blueprint using a level and angle finder
And by holding it up to the car to see how well it matches (what's left of) the current rail
Since the angles are all correct, I welded the seams, in my case, heat setting 3, speed 30, gas 32 scfh argon/co2 mix, with 0.030 wire
Closeup
Finally, I ground down the weld on that side, all looks good
Now just need to cut it to fit the car, and weld it in, and since this is going on the driver's side, add the notch for the filler neck. Total time to make the second rail was about 3 hours start to finish.
Nice photos. A heads-up: with that amount of rust on the rear, if I were you I would also check the upper front crossmember mounting brackets (the ones in the wheel wells) since they tend to rust as badly as the rear frame rails.
Nice job. What are the trunk corners like (assuming there's anything left!)?
When I did mine I dropped the tank. Welding next to the gas cap and half a tank of gas did not seem like a good idea
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Wish I knew how to weld so I could have done this. It would have saved a Fiero from the junkyard.
It's not that hard to learn the basics. Just take the time to practice running beads on on some scrap. Plenty of info on the web and your local tech school probably runs classes. Welding thin stuff is the hardest, very easy to burn through, so start on thicker material until you get the hang of it.
Nice work. I'm surprised 16ga would be strong enough...sounds almost flimsy. Its not though. Your 14 ga should be plenty tough enough. Going to spray some wax or something into them after to keep them from rusting?
It's killin' me how easy you make it look ... I just don't have time, tools or space to do it. My poor '85 is just settin' there waiting for someone to love it enough to weld 'er up.
You're Fiero is getting well deserved love! Looks great.
Nice photos. A heads-up: with that amount of rust on the rear, if I were you I would also check the upper front crossmember mounting brackets (the ones in the wheel wells) since they tend to rust as badly as the rear frame rails.
Yep, also rotten.
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Originally posted by JFrost: Wish I knew how to weld so I could have done this. It would have saved a Fiero from the junkyard.
I just started welding, I practiced on some pieces I cut off the end of the first rail
you could get it oil sprayed. i got mine done here in ohio in the fall. trying to stop the rust (well the little it has) and to prevent it from coming up.
Gor rustproofing, I got some spay galvanizing paint in a can from Eastwoods (I think), stuffed the nozzle up the end of the tube (and between the cuts before I welded it) and let loose.
