2000 replies to this topic

[kakabox]

Have a look at This Site for some pictures of bracing. It's in Products and then the subaru section under suspension. If it doesn't work there is a link in the bottom left corner for a flash update and then it loads up OK. JS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gee, that looks familar...nice! I like the fact that it has additional attachments to the door piller (btwn the hinges)...hmmm, that additional connection should help increase the torsional stiffeness of the firewall.

I think I'll add a couple of my "nutserts" to the door pillar btwn the hinge plates and then add an angle to the truss vertical (that'll stiffen the section of the vertical member where the diagonal is attached too) for an additional attachment to the door pillar...probably add less than a lb. That'll better stabilize the vertical member and provide an additional load path into the door pillar. Worthwhile design revision w/o much weight impact...nice!

Thanks strudel, good find!

Edited by kakabox, 06 March 2006 - 10:08 AM.

[badpenny]

That would also keep your door flush and not bow it.

To further explain. With extreme turns, our cars flex, some. So when you are free mounting something to the chasis, it will aid keeping it from flexing. But the chassis still will flex. With enough force your chassis will eventually twist your brackets.

Understand, this is only a theory, I would love to have a set of these on my hatchie, and any other car I own. kakabox, would you mind reporting how they held up after the season? Meaning, did they distort any over the course of the season, and what was noticed with the surrounding mounting points?

[strudel]

I found that while looking through the magazine rack at the Mini Mags. My eyes came to rest on a car mag with a bunch of good looking dollys on the front. It was showcasing car models, as it were, but I did happen to find advertising for that site with a bunch of interesting hardware options for bracing cars. I was amazed at all the stuff for Mazdas and Subarus to stiffen them up. Oh, the magazine was doing that too!!

Did you look at any of the other brace items shown? Would any of them work for our cars? I'll bring you a logo along. JS

[kakabox]

That would also keep your door flush and not bow it.

With enough force your chassis will eventually twist your brackets.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True, but at that point, I've got other issues!

IMO, in order to generate the amt of load to plastically deform my hinge plates, hinge pillar would also deform; at that point I'll be more concerned w/how to extract myself and the KAKABOX from the wall I just augered into!

The way my vertical member is attached strengthens the door pillar beyond the factory configuration. The additional attachment will increase the lateral stability of the pillar by providing additional stiffness.

[badpenny]

Ahhhhhhh. Ok, that makes sense. When it comes to these type of reinforcements/lightweights mods, I am a total n00b. And a bit paranoid. But you have made me more at ease. GOooooooooooo, Kakaboxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

[strudel]

When I'm down your way I will bring some ideas for the PHB. Either a total replacement system or a modified one from a Nissan. It would eliminate the side to side movement. Have I got your interest? JS

[kakabox]

Ahhhhhhh.� Ok, that makes sense. When it comes to these type of reinforcements/lightweights mods, I am a total n00b.� And a bit paranoid.� But you have made me more at ease

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should be a bit paranoid when you start changing the structure and the load path...you do raise a good point however: light weight.

Sure I could design a stronger truss and attachment, ultimate strength wise, but, w/o doing a FEA on the structure I really don't know how effective these braces are. I can only apply good engineering judgement to the design.

I believe the trusses are effective, but, to tell HOW effective they are you need a FEM...so, w/o that knowledge I'm going to use sound engr design principles an error on the light weight side. The main goal of the Kakabox is to be as light as possible. It's always a compromise btwn how much structure to add for stiffeness and the car's weight. It's a 'strength vs. weight' study!

Cheers!

Edited by kakabox, 06 November 2010 - 10:26 AM.

[badpenny]

Oh.

I was just saying good job. I don't have teh balls.

when it comes to any kind of mods, i get twitchy.



But when it comes to figuring Sizing for vehicles......Ummm, not to slam the 1g or the 3g, but, sooooo much more could have been done on the design floor in '81

[Aren D.]

you know it may be pretty sweet to make an adjustable panhard mount...

[kakabox]

Firewall/Fender Truss Design Revision:

After strudel provided a link to a web site that had this pic of a Subie fender gusset,


I decided to add an additional connection to the door hinge pillar to further stiffen the door pillar, add a bit more lateral stability to the truss and provide a better load path for the truss diagonal tube. So, after fabbing a bracket from a 5" length of a 1.25 x 1.25 x .125" steel angle, I clamped the angle to the truss vertical and marked the locn of the two welded nutserts to be added to the door pillar...removed the truss, drilled the door pillar at the marks and welded in the nuts:


...ground the welds flat, then re-installed the truss, bolted on the bracket, clamped the bracket flange to the truss vertical and tacked it on:


After fully welding the additional bracket, the truss now weighs 3.5 lbs.


I'm happier w/the additional pillar bracket as I think it adds a more stiffness to the chassis hinge pillar/truss connection w/a minimal wt penalty.

Cheers!

Edited by kakabox, 17 May 2007 - 10:18 AM.

[Aren D.]

wow thats really sweet, looks like it will defenly do the job.

[kakabox]

Finished w/the front fender truss project.

Here's the lhs painted and final instld:


The driver's side received "rebuilt" passenger side door hinges from one of my donor 'tegs...no more clunking door opening & closing...it's like new!

...the rhs:


...and a view from inside the lhs fender:


Next up: removing the rear suspension and fabbing/installing the phb mount reinforcing brace.

Cheers!

Edited by kakabox, 16 April 2006 - 10:38 PM.

[toxicshit]

Finished w/the front fender truss project.

Here's the lhs painted and final instld:

The driver's side received "rebuilt" passenger side door hinges from one of my donor 'tegs...no more clunky door opening/closing...it's like new! 

...the rhs:


...and a view from inside the lhs fender:


Next up: removing the rear suspension and fabbing/installing the phb mount reinforcing gusset.

Cheers! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

can you make another set of them ?

[mesean13]

I wish I had a welder! That looks great man! pretty light too.

[kakabox]

That looks great man! pretty light too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks...~3.5 lbs. per side.