Thread: Welder question

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a friend had a 1970 Firebird with a rusted out leaf spring mount on the rear (obviously).
OK, it's just unibody, but I looked at it from an engineering standpoint, static loads. Figure the car is 3200 pounds, figure half in back.
1600 pounds in back, four double ended mounts (eight).
wow a whopping 200 pounds, static. now that doesn't take into account torque, vibration or abuse, go for 400% safety factor unless you're gonna be doing Dukes of Hazzard jumps.
Most frames would be 1/8" wall tubing, roll bar excepted @ 3/16.

If you can't match or beat the strength of a tinny unibody "frame" with 1/8" tubing 1 3/4" diameter I just don't know what to say. You have at least 6" of weld on each and every joint. Not every joint will be "load bearing" very much, wheelstands aside.
SO not every millimeter of weld on the parent area has to be superduty

I have done it already and believe me it's a bitch when you have to disassemble something you have to move. I am not worried in the least on my tube frame chassis, welded with a 90amp fluxcore 035 wire, triple welded joints.

The only part I had TIG'd was homemade A-frames in front, coz they were CrMo and i wanted an attractive and durable weld joint near the threaaded chrome looking heim ends.

Not worried about it.

Amen.

Oh and the guy never did fix the leaf spring, he sold it and the guy drives ot anyway.