Install a Subframe & Suspension - Chris Alston's Chassisworks

Cage sidesare carefullypositionedto clearthe stocksun visorsand glovecompartmentdoor.Suspension stage begins by tacking in both setsof forward 4-link brackets, even with the outsideof the frame rails.Next, a strut connects the main hoop to the frame above the 4-link bars, forming an X-brace.Chassisworks installers use this notched section of angle iron to align and hold the three sectionsduring welding.Longest sectionsare the rear strutstying the main hoopinto the back ofthe frame. Here,Garceau bothmeasures forstrut length anddetermines thesection of thepackage tray tobe notched forclearance.The short strut at theright ties one side of thecage to the frame at apoint just above theforward 4-link bracket.Installation of thehorizontal seat-backbrace and swing-outside-bar clevises(visible above torch)completed this12-point roll cage.How ToInstall a Subframe & SuspensionThe many advantages of a mandrel-bentChassisworks subframebegin with a super-low ride height.What brings the body way, waydown is an ultra-high frame “kickup”over the rearend. Moreover, bysimply repositioning two bolts inthe lower shock-absorber mounts,the body can be lowered even further— or raised — in a matter ofminutes. As much as six full inchesof “instant” height adjustmentis built right into these uniqueChassisworks shock mounts. (Thedesign is also specially contouredto clear a back brace attachedto any popular rearend housing,including the beefy 9-inch Ford.)Chassisworks subframes arealso much narrower than olderframe designs sold by competitors,thanks to the tighter bend of thedropped front crossmember. Theextra three-to-four inches of tireclearance created here are reallycritical in a Vega or other smallvehicle, whose performance may Email: sales@cachassisworks.com Web: cachassisworks.com Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Inc., 8661 Younger Creek Drive, Sacramento, CA 958283

How ToInstall a Subframe & Suspensionultimately be limited by how muchtire can be squeezed between theframe rails and quarter panels.All Chassisworks subframes areshipped unassembled (for easeof installation), and generouslyoversized — good news foryou truck owners shopping forextra-long steel all around.While the stockrearend housingwas on the benchfor narrowingand bracing, theChassisworks crewalso welded onthe lower shockmounts and 4-linkbrackets. Now,Garceau attachesthe four rod ends.After determining the largest tire diameter(29 inches) that would fit inside the stock wheelopenings, tinsmith Jimmy Berg selected a pair of24x40-inch Chassisworks aluminum tubs.After boltingboth coil-springassemblies totheir lowerbrackets, Joelraises the entirerearend to alignthe upper shockmounts with thecrossmember.With the rearendassembly centeredbetween theframe rails,the track-locatertube is measured,marked, andcut to length.In this trial-fitting, both tubs are temporarilyattached to the frame with Cleco clips.4 Order: 800-722-2269 Technical Assistance/Customer Service: 916-388-0288 Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Inc., 8661 Younger Creek Drive, Sacramento, CA 95828

Rather than retaining any part ofthe stock floor, Chris Alston elected toreplace it with a steel Chassisworkskit. Offered as a complete, trim-to-fitpackage, these prerolled floor panelsand belly-pan pieces are availablein your choice of either steel oraluminum.“It’s actually easier to rivet newfloor panels on top of the new framethan it is to try to fit and piece thestock floor around the new frame,”Chris explains. “When you keep thestock floor, you keep all the problemsthat came with it. By the time youcut out the wheel wells for eachside, you’ve cut away half the floor,anyway. If you go ahead and throwthe rest of it away, the frame cancome up higher; the car can sit lower;you have a lot more room for thesuspension; and you get a muchcleaner, neater installation.”At the outset of this project, Chrisintended to purchase and narrow aused 9-inch Ford rearend, then haveits axles resplined for about $100.However, a friend eagerly traded hiscomplete 9-inch assembly — includingdrum brakes — straight across forthe rare GT wheels that came withthis Mustang. Then John Mazzarella ofStrange Engineering offered an irresistibledeal on a pair of brand-newaxles. A universal Chassisworks backbrace stiffened up the entire housing.All of this back-half reconstructionleft no room beneath the body for afuel tank, necessitating a plastic cellin the trunk. Fully anticipating longhighway cruises in his new toy, Chrisinstalled a 16-gallon Pro Street celland mounting brackets — bringingthe grand total to just under $2000.Indeed, all of the parts that went intothis radically transformed Mustangcost less than rebuilding its engine —and will probably prove more importantto its quarter-mile performance Since this car will see regular street duty, Chris Alston selected the steel version of his rear-floorkit. Center sections come prebent and prerolled from Chassisworks to fit over the frame. (Thesefinished pieces have already been trimmed and notched to fit the Mustang’s roll cage, driveshaftloop and quarter panels.)Cleco clips holdthe variouspanels in place,pending powdercoating. The rearfirewall wascustom-built.(Chassisworkshas since addeda productionfirewall to itsinterior kit forthis application.)Followingpowder coating,the wheel tubs,belly pans andfloor sectionswill be rivetedto the frameand sealed withsilicone. Email: sales@cachassisworks.com Web: cachassisworks.com Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Inc., 8661 Younger Creek Drive, Sacramento, CA 958285

ExclusiveChassisworks lowershock mounts werespecially designedto clear the axlehousing’s backbrace, plus provideup to six inches ofeasy ride-heightadjustment. StockFord brake drumswill be fitted to theStrange axles.The factory fueltank was replacedby this 16-galloncell. By modifyingand relocating thestock deck-lidhinges inboard,Chassisworkseliminatedinterference withthe tall wheel tubs.(Note originalmounting locationsnear outer edgesof lid.) Also, thefactory lockmechanismremains intact.Black cage tubing complements the original reddashboard, door panels, seats and carpet. Optional,swing-out side bars are highly recommended forstreet applications. Notice how the cage sectionsdo not interfere with the factory armrests, windowcranks, door handles, sun visors or glove box.Closeup reveals reworkedhinge and fabricated boxmount, welded to the decklid. The original springlatch was shortened andattached to the cage strut.The transformation is complete! Treaded 29/18.5-15 rear tires and 15x14-inch Aerolite wheelsfit inside the stock wheel openings. Front rims are matching 15x6-inch Aerolites. The original289-cubic-inch engine, clutch and 4-speed are still in place.HowTo-003_02046 Order: 800-722-2269 Technical Assistance/Customer Service: 916-388-0288 Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Inc., 8661 Younger Creek Drive, Sacramento, CA 95828