Where's the best place on a 1st gen convertible to support the rear of the body when swapping out the rear end and replacing the springs and putting in subframe connectors?
When working under it I usually put the front on ramps and put jack stands under the shock mount plates. Obviously can't do that when I pull the springs and rear out. Seems like any place on rhe rear frame rails is going to be in the way.

Winch,

I just used 2x4's and jack stands to support my car. Works like a champ!

See pics in this post: http://www.camaros.net/forum/Forum2/HTML/003677.html

Regards,
Rob

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69 Frame-off in progress (pics) (http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing)

Is the 2x4 under the frame rails? Kinda hard to tell from the pic. I guess when I get under there again it will make snese. Thanks

Sorry about that Winch!

Yup... It's on the frame rails, right behind the front leaf spring mounts.

The front 2x is bolted to the middle sub-frame mounts.

TIP:
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If you are going to pull the rear / springs as a unit, make sure you have the car up high enough!!! Or... you will have to detach the springs from the rear first! It's no fun trying to get the springs off the rear AFTER you detach the unit from the car!!! http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif

Good luck,
Rob

BTW:
Going to help Tim (tl757) drop his this weekend! http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

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69 Frame-off in progress (pics) (http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing)


[This message has been edited by RFrenette (edited 07-29-2002).]

Sounds like the 2x4 won't get in the way of removing the spring from the front perch. Will it interfere with putting the subframe connectors in at that time? I'm still not clear on how that is done. I thought you had to remove the perch altogether.
Thanks for the other tip. I guess I'll remove the springs entirely first then roll out the rear end.

Winch,

Not sure how this will impact subframe connector installation but I don't think it will be a problem.

The 2x is actually right behind, and to the side, of the perches. I don't think it will interfere. Maybe someone else who has installed the connectors can comment???

Here is a close-up pic:
http://www.rmfracing.com/images/camaro/tear_down/tear_down_undercarriage/frame_rail_7.jpg

More pics in the Image Gallery on my site: http://www.rmfracing.com/content/image_gallery_map.html

Rob


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69 Frame-off in progress (pics) (http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing)

Wow, great pics. That helps a lot. On the undercarriage pic frame_rail_1 are those the J nut clips I see that hold the perch? If so I'm a little confused on that part of the floor pan just in front of the rail where it turns and goes verticle. In another thread someone said that piece was not available in a repro but it sure looks like a piece I see in D&R's catalog called Floor Pan, under rear seat extension.
Mine are rusted right at the corners on both sides.
Also are those mono shock mount plates on multileaf springs?

Thanks Winch! I am glad the pics helped someone! I hope to be able to give a little back for ALL the help I get here!

Good question on the "mono shock mount plates on multileaf springs." I am not sure myself as I did not do the conversion. Does anyone know the answer to this???

Also, I believe those are "J nut clips" and I thought that part of the pan was available as well. Could be wrong though!

Regards,
Rob

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69 Frame-off in progress (pics) (http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing)

Winch, With a convert, your rocker panels will take the load too. I'm in the middle of my swap and used 6x6 blocks of wood under each rocker panel as far rear as you can get them. Car has been sitting up on them without a rear or engine for over 6 months. Vary little sag.

http://www.fototime.com/758285781CB94D8/standard.jpg

Kevin

[This message has been edited by KevinW (edited 07-29-2002).]

I use a short piece of 2x4 right on the rear subframe adjacent to the spring perches. You have to be carefull that you get them close to the perches but not so close that you can't get the perches all the way out. Also watch out for the e-brake cable since it gets tight when you extend the rear suspension.

Rocker panels are also supposed to be able to hold the weight as Kevin shows above, but with 34 years living in Michigan winters I know my rockers panels have seen better days - they're still on the thin side even after I welded in reinforcement during my body project.

After you get your subframe connectors in, the connectors are a great way to jack up the car when you can't use the differential housing.

Eric, I agee with you if Winch's Car (and mine) were coupes, I would not use the rocker panels either. A Coupe's rockers are real thin and not much strength, but a convertibles rockers (in good shape) support the car ALL the time, so they are strong enough to hold it up. They are really strong, but if you look at the pic, the car's weight is distributed along the rocker for over a foot.

Kevin

My rocker panels are in great shape. I did jack up each side by putting a 4 ft long 4x4 under the rockers when I replaced the body mount bushings. I wasn't thinking about supporting it under there when I do the rear end swap but that sounds like a good place. Thanks.