Eternal Rollerz C.C. - Lowrider Frame Reinforcement

Lowrider Frame Reinforcement

Frame reinforcement is one the most important things to do if you install hydraulics in a car. There are three types of frame reinforcement methods.

Full Wrap - The body is pulled off the frame and the entire frame is wrapped with reinforcement.

Partial Wrap - Only the most important areas are reinforced generally with the body still on the frame.

Stress Point Reinforcements - Any reinforcements to critical areas of the vehicle such as a-arm mounts, rear axle reinforcement and ect.

Lets talk about each method in more detail.

Full Frame Wrap

A full frame wrap ensures all parts of the frame are stiff and will not get damaged from the violent action of the hydraulics. Typically areas that need to be contoured are done in 3/16" Steel. flat reinforcement parts should be done in 1/4" steel.

The frame should be sand blasted before welding for a better finished product. You will need various clamps and heavy mallets to help position and shape the parts as you weld them.

Various pre-cut reinforcement pieces can be ordered from Lizarde Hydraulics

CLICK HERE

Above: This frame has had the body removed and the entire frame was sand blasted.

Above: Tommy is welding the front reinforcement steel around the spring pockets.

Above: Outside frame side rails get 1/4" steel plate added.

Above: The front cross member gets wrapped on all sides.

Above: Factory rear spring perches are removed and C-Channel added for chain bridge.

Above: The bottom of the frame side rails are reinforced and all welds are ground down for nice final product.

Above: The entire bottom side the frame has been wrapped and ground down.

Above: Rear axle housing being reinforced.

Above: Side rails have been plated.

Above: The front a-arm mounts are wrapped on all sides.

Above: The frame has been fully wrapped, molded and painted.

Partial Frame Wrap

A partial frame wrap is a good choice for those that don't have the time or money to pull the body off their frame. Reinforcements are done everywhere you can access the frame with the body on the car.

Just like a full wrap both 3/16" and 1/4" steel is common reinforcement plating.

Above: Here is typical reinforcement for a street car with hydraulics.

Above: Here is a partial front cross member reinforcement kit by Lizarde Hydraulics.

Above: The front cross member has been prepped for welding.

Above: Tommy is forming the front cross member reinforcement piece and tack welding as he goes.

Above: The completed reinforcement can be seen.

Stress Point Reinforcements

Stress point reinforcements are small reinforcements of critical areas such as upper a-arm mounts, rear axles, rear axle pumpkin ears and more.

Above: Here is typical reinforcement for a rear axle on a car with a chain bridge.

Above: Here is a lower control arm stress point kit made by Cadillac Dan on YouTube.

Other Frame Tips

- Rear spring perches need to be reinforced! Almost every car not reinforced there we have seen broken or springs pushing through when set up coil over.

- When Installing the hydraulics weld in an extra donut to the rear spring perches for added strength.

- Some hydraulic shops are selling heavy duty ball joints for a lot of money. You can get the same ball joints at your local NAPA P/N 260-1091 for less.

Above: Fast Ed grinding on a car

Above: Jose's broken frame (from hopping) without any reinforcement.

Above: Chain can be used to limit travel. This will protect ball joints and keep front end components together.

Above: Ever wonder what is in a ball joint. Here's a cheap one that pulled apart.

Above: You can see hair line cracks on the cheap ball joint.

Above: More detail of a cheap ball joint.

Above: NAPA ball joints AKA " Unbreakable Ball Joints " sold by hydraulic companies. These are available at NAPA for $25 each.

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