73-74 SUBFRAME CONNECTORS

[Hugh]

Ok, Why I am having such a hard time finding subframe connectors for the 73-74 years? USCARTOOL has some listed for 71-72 but says there are no modifications they would recommend for the isolated 73-74 trans k member. The only ones I can find are from competition engineering and it looks like I am going to have to cut the floor. Someone said magnumforce had some but I don't see them listed. What gives? Just trying to set up for next spring since I already have carpet and seats out to convert from column to console auto.

[bruce]

Believe it or not, my car was Car Tool's test mule for fitting subframe connectors to a '71–'72. The bad news is from what I understand, Car Tool has no plans to develop connectors for the '73 and up cars due to the issue you mention.

[71bird]

Just a suggestion, if your floors are nice, and you don't want to mess them up, just put the Hemi frame boxes in. That should help a lot. On a side note go over to the moparts forum and read all the bad press about UScartool.

[Hugh]

I spoke to a good friend and fellow Mopar Head also ASE certified today. He thinks I should buy the 71-72 frame connectors and he can look at them. Together we conclude they may match up to the rear frame rails and floor pans nicely. We think the issue will be where they connect to the front due to the fact it is not a solid mount. These are wild guesses without seeing. My friend thinks he may be able to modify the front mounting to work, and it would be cheaper and easier to already have the subframe connectors that would be 80% correct to start with. I saw a very nice pic of a 71 or 72 on a rotisserie on this site with the connectors on. This is what I am basing my guesses on. Always open to suggestions though.

[71bird]

You need to ask your self, what are you going to do with the car? Do you really need them? I was going to put them in my 71, BUT, after seeing how nice my floors were the shop talked me out of it, and now I'm glad he did. If your floors are nice, I'd think long, and hard about doing it, cause once there in you can't go back. Where with the boxes, that's a little different story.

[bruce]

If you happen to go to Carlisle, AND this is something that can wait, you can probably get Car Tool to bring a '71-2 set there and get the show discount on them. AND you could talk to John face to face on whether they can be made to work on a '73 or '74.

[bruce]

Happened to talk to Chris at Car Tool today and brought up this question. He confirmed that there are no plans for '73 and '74 B-Body subframe connectors. He also confirmed that the connectors for '71s and '72s will NOT work on '73 and up cars due to the isolated cross members. Afraid it will definitely have to be some other product than Car Tool's.

[GTXS]

If you have some welding skills or know someone who does you should be able to fab a set. I made a few sets, back in the day when I could afford to drag race.

[dangina]

i made mine out of 1x3 tubing, clears the floors (no cutting), but you do have to make one small dent on the front of the rear passenger floor plan (actually you could probably get away without doing this, i did it just for more clearance

[gcoupe72]

Happened to talk to Chris at Car Tool today and brought up this question. He confirmed that there are no plans for '73 and '74 B-Body subframe connectors. He also confirmed that the connectors for '71s and '72s will NOT work on '73 and up cars due to the isolated cross members. Afraid it will definitely have to be some other product than Car Tool's.

I haven't looked at a '73 in a while, but am wondering if you could tie the floor together with the '71 style connectors, and then use solid mounts for your K member?
I'd think that would get you most of the improved rigidity, without too much fabrication.

[Hugh]

Happened to talk to Chris at Car Tool today and brought up this question. He confirmed that there are no plans for '73 and '74 B-Body subframe connectors. He also confirmed that the connectors for '71s and '72s will NOT work on '73 and up cars due to the isolated cross members. Afraid it will definitely have to be some other product than Car Tool's.

I haven't looked at a '73 in a while, but am wondering if you could tie the floor together with the '71 style connectors, and then use solid mounts for your K member?
I'd think that would get you most of the improved rigidity, without too much fabrication.

That's what I'm thinking. I already have everything solid mounted from firmfeel, both k member and trans kmember . That has already made a huge difference!