Frame Connectors

[fiddlerfingers]

After doing some research I found here that the FR connectors from UStool needs to be modified to fit my 71 RR. I found another site that offers them and when I called, the gentleman said theres did not need modifying. Has anyone here used these FR from this company? Just wanted to make sure before I fork out 179 bucks...https://www.xvmotorsports.com

[bruce]

Can't speak to the xvmotorsports parts, but it's true US Car Tool does NOT have a connector specific to our cars--they have 70 and up E-body connectors which can be used on our cars by modifying the way the connector mounts to the rear frame rails. The front of the floor is the same as the E-body on our cars. I know because I have their connectors on my Runner. It was not a simple and straight-forward install...

[ffej]

i used the ones from ce and they went right in. bought the bolt in style them welded them in.,jeff

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

The modification necessary for the UScartool e-body connector involves a pretty simple angle sectioning of connector near the rear sub frame, as mentioned. The rear sub frames on these cars are angled outward from the center line slightly, unlike the e-boy rear subs which run parallel to the center line. Although the front floor pan is the same as the e-body, this slight change in angle for the connector also creates a slight miss alignment of the "saw tooth" cut where it meets the floor contours, pretty easy to adjust. End result is well worth the effort for those not wanting/willing to penetrate the floor pans to install full sized tube connectors IMO.

[NOrrTH]

Funny this thread got posted as I was thinking about this just this morning.

Ive got bolt in connectors on mine and they are starting to pull the bolts through the frame on the front section. Either I remove the connectors, put a steel plate in between the bolts and the frame, or weld them in place.

Are these things really necessary? Is the car going to come apart without them?

[bruce]

Funny this thread got posted as I was thinking about this just this morning.

Ive got bolt in connectors on mine and they are starting to pull the bolts through the frame on the front section. Either I remove the connectors, put a steel plate in between the bolts and the frame, or weld them in place.

Are these things really necessary? Is the car going to come apart without them?

Well, these cars didn't come with frame connectors when new, so no, they aren't "necessary" and the car isn't likely to come apart unless it has some serious rust or structural issues... that said, there's a lot of flex in these old unibodies and then you add the torque to twist them apart from some monster motor and a 4-speed... well, frame connectors come in handy to stiffen the car up.

[sogtx]

heres mine if helpful

Picture%20003.jpg (36.31 KiB) Viewed 9935 times

[gionni]

Yep, i installed the uscartools e-body connectors too on my 71 RR...and the mods are simple...

[bruce]

Just spoke with John at US Car Tool yesterday and while they still don't have a connector specific to our cars he DID say that they have changed the way their connectors are manufactured with MUCH improved fit as a result... that's good news.