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Is the US Car Tool's lower radiator core support worth it?

Started by Dans 68, February 01, 2016, 03:33:51 PM

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Dans 68

I just picked up a project (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,122184.0.html) and I'm going to add sub frame connectors and torque boxes to it. Is it really worth the added expense, in time and materials, to beef up the lower radiator support? Can a difference be felt? Anybody done this? Now would be the time to do it I guess.  ;)   Thanks for any opinions.

Dan
1973 SE 400 727  1 of 19,645                                        1968 383 4bbl 4spds  2 of 259

keepat

Dan,

I installed the US Car Tool lower rad support on my charger and where I don't necessarily think it's necessary certainly doesn't hurt. I ordered it without the holes so once it's welded it's hard to tell that it's been added.  Check out the link below and post #80

Good luck with your new project looks like a great car!
Pat

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110212.75.html

Dans 68

Quote from: keepat on February 02, 2016, 06:06:40 PM
Dan,

I installed the US Car Tool lower rad support on my charger and where I don't necessarily think it's necessary certainly doesn't hurt. I ordered it without the holes so once it's welded it's hard to tell that it's been added.  Check out the link below and post #80

Good luck with your new project looks like a great car!
Pat

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110212.75.html


Thanks, Pat. Like others I did no know it was available without the holes. I'm still thinking on it...  :scratch chin:  But I may do it....  ;)

Dan
1973 SE 400 727  1 of 19,645                                        1968 383 4bbl 4spds  2 of 259

tan top

 yes think I would have fitted one of these  , if they were available at the time .
       when I had my charger stripped down to a empty shell , thought how flimsy the upper & lower core support was  :scratchchin:
Feel free to post any relevant picture you think we all might like to see in the threads below!

Charger Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,86777.0.html
Chargers in the background where you least expect them 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,97261.0.html
C500 & Daytonas & Superbirds
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95432.0.html
Interesting pictures & Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,109484.925.html
Old Dodge dealer photos wanted
 http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,120850.0.html

Dans 68

Thanks, guys. I just ordered it (along with the torque boxes and sub frame connectors).  ;)

Dan
1973 SE 400 727  1 of 19,645                                        1968 383 4bbl 4spds  2 of 259

cavemanno1

I have ordered their subframe connetors,Lca reinforcements plates,k member skid plates from Firm feel I believe.
Didn't order the rad support tho.My car is about to sail so I can't ship one with the car now.My question is,what would it take to fabricate one up from scratch?

keepat

Quote from: cavemanno1 on February 04, 2016, 03:00:50 AM
I have ordered their subframe connetors,Lca reinforcements plates,k member skid plates from Firm feel I believe.
Didn't order the rad support tho.My car is about to sail so I can't ship one with the car now.My question is,what would it take to fabricate one up from scratch?


You would have no problem making one from a 10" X 48" X 1/8" sheet of steel. Just follows the same lines and shape as the original course support.
Pat

Kern Dog

The frame rails are cantilevered past the K member so I'm not sure what the added bracing would do. It cannot hurt but I'm not sure the total effective gain. If the K member is seam welded and reinforced in the steering box mount area, that would seem to be more of a noticeable improvement.

garner7555

I agree that this brace is going to make less of a difference than the others.   :yesnod:   But as Keepat said, it would be extremely easy to fab up your own, Especially if you leave off the holes.  The more bracing the better, within reason, if you want the car to handle drastically better than stock.   :Twocents:
69 Charger 440 resto-mod

cavemanno1

Thanks guys!
I think i will get that done and fab them up!
Was no mentioning of the inner fender braces like kepat has!
4 speed r/t's came with torque boxes right,so I don't have to get them!
Will get the inner fender braces fab up somehow along with the radiator brace!
Those with the frame connectors,lca plates,k frame reinforcement should make to car solid!
It's not overkill is it?
Don't plane on autocrossing or track days but i just want it to handle a bit better.
Have PST poly front bushing,bigger front sway bars,rear sway bars,bigger torsion bars and kyb shocks.

keepat

Quote from: cavemanno1 on February 05, 2016, 09:35:41 AM
Thanks guys!
I think i will get that done and fab them up!
Was no mentioning of the inner fender braces like kepat has!
4 speed r/t's came with torque boxes right,so I don't have to get them!
Will get the inner fender braces fab up somehow along with the radiator brace!
Those with the frame connectors,lca plates,k frame reinforcement should make to car solid!
It's not overkill is it?
Don't plane on autocrossing or track days but i just want it to handle a bit better.
Have PST poly front bushing,bigger front sway bars,rear sway bars,bigger torsion bars and kyb shocks.

Here is a interesting video of an E body with and without the US car tool inner fender braces. Note K member not installed
Pat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7pfNBrrP88


Mike DC


The K-frame helps stiffen things a lot if you weld it on.  Just ask the NASCAR guys. 

But in bolt-on form it isn't doing so much. 


tan top

Quote from: Mike DC (formerly miked) on February 05, 2016, 05:11:09 PM

The K-frame helps stiffen things a lot if you weld it on.  Just ask the NASCAR guys. 

But in bolt-on form it isn't doing so much. 



:iagree: true  :yesnod:
Feel free to post any relevant picture you think we all might like to see in the threads below!

Charger Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,86777.0.html
Chargers in the background where you least expect them 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,97261.0.html
C500 & Daytonas & Superbirds
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95432.0.html
Interesting pictures & Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,109484.925.html
Old Dodge dealer photos wanted
 http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,120850.0.html

NHCharger

OK a little late to this party.
I installed one on my 68, along with subframe connectors, oversized front sway bar, stiffening plates on the LCA's and tubular UCA's. I hadn't driven a second gen Charger for decades before doing all these mods but the difference in handling between my 68 and my 71 and 72 Chargers was astounding. The 68 also has a built 440 so I was concerned about the two pieces of flimsy metal (as Tan Top noted) that make up the front section of the car.
72 Charger- Base Model
68 Charger-R/T Clone
69 Charger Daytona clone- current moneypit
79 Lil Red Express - future moneypit
88 Ramcharger 4x4-moneypit in waiting
2014 RAM 2500HD Diesel