Sub-Frame install

[tderrick]

Is there anything I should be wary of when installing my MM FL subs this week?

Already gathered from search that they should be welded in with the full load on the tires.

I'm a little concerned about the carpet... has anyone had a combustion issue??
... or will it just smolder and make my car stink for a while??

How many of you have pulled the carpet??

thanks,...

 

[281pony]

from what i read/learned. the mm subframes sometimes need to be "shaped" to the car. ive heard it varies with the cars, but sometimes they are more of a pain then others.

as far as the carpet, some people put ice/water on them. another good option is to blast air on the welds to cool them.

hope that helps somewhat. im still waiting for the right time to put mine on, assuming i keep the car

 

[Rootus]

You can easily do it without setting the carpet on fire. The biggest concern is the floorpan -- it is extremely thin, and a lot thinner than the walls of the subframe connectors. So you gotta be careful not to burn through it, which is very easy to do.

 

[tderrick]

Y The biggest concern is the floorpan -- it is extremely thin, and a lot thinner than the walls of the subframe connectors. So you gotta be careful not to burn through it, which is very easy to do.

Yes... this is also a big concern of mine...

I'm going to make double sure my welder can handle the job. If I sense any "iffyness", I'll take it to a dedicated speed shop that has done lot's of stang work.

Anyone know of a good shop in the middle Tennessee area (Nashville)??
Maybe Tennessee Speed Sport...

thanks, again...

 

[juiced_94gt]

just make sure you jack the subframes on the car to get the most contact area, i wouldnt worry about the carpet, just dont burn through, it wont smell inside at all and when all is said and done it will feel like a brand NEW car!!!

 

[tomustang]

I never had problems with the interior. Problems spots would be the tolerance measurements of the Frame Rails, being aligned straight, you might have to bend them a bit. Another is welding around the fuel lines. Just read over the directions and stick with the steps and you'll be fine

 

[V8302stangs]

Bolt on sub-frames are weak sauce huh?

 

[Rootus]

Bolt on sub-frames are weak sauce huh?

The bending forces the subframe connectors experience is too strong, it would rip the connectors around the bolts if the connectors themselves were sturdy enough. Ford puts some cut little bolt-on connectors on the verts, but they're just for marketing IMO.

 

[sporadic]

Iv'e installed 2 sets of subframes, and will soon be doing a couple more.
For piece of mind I remove the seats and lay some boards underneath the carpet and insulation.
Takes like 15 minutes to do and gets the carpet off the floorpan.

 

[tderrick]

Thanks for all the insight guys... I'll keep you posted on how all goes...

 

[Pokageek]

I have Kenny browns. This thread has given me the motivation to have mine put on too. What's a fair price BTW? $85?

 

[sporadic]

Yes $85 is fair.

 

[mo_dingo]

Just keep your voltage to a lower setting, and tack weld it instead of running a continous bead.

So weld a spot, move to a different area, weld another spot, etc etc until it's done. A good auto-darkening mask is the first thing I invest in, if you don't own one.
Scott

 

[GRGT1994]

$85 is a STEAL for MM. Don't know about the Kenny Brown connectors.

I did not take my carpet out for my MM install, and I had no issues. THe other thing you could do would be to just throw a soaking wet towel over the carpet spot while the welding is underway.

 

[V8302stangs]

Maybe you could use those ice blocks

 

[V8302stangs]

The ones that you freeze and can refreeze in plastic I mean, sorry lol

 

[94YellowStang]

I got my subframes installed for $75 at a muffler shop,just make sure the person working on it has a spray bottle of water so he can weld a few small spots at a time and cool them down with the water.I left my carpet in and this method worked fine for me.

 

[Pokageek]

Instructions for Kenny Browns say use Mig welder. My mech says it will probably work with a regular welder on the right setting. He is going to try it. Can anyone verify?

 

[mo_dingo]

the method in which you weld is just up to whoever is welding it. I mean, a wire feed MIG is just fine. As long as the wire is for iron and you have gas, you are set.

Like I was saying before, you just need to distribute the heat, weld one spot, then move to another side and weld it.

Scott

 

[Pokageek]

Ok, thanks man. I don't know much about welding at all and could use an education.