Suspension - Tech Project - Lowrider Magazine

Don't Stress OutThe evolution of hydraulics has progressed over the years and so has the technology in strengthening the automotive frame and suspension. From trial and error people have learned that reinforcing a car's chassis would help relieve some of the pressure created by the hydraulic pumps and cylinder pressures. Some of the problems were created by abuse, like the crossmember collapsing from hopping, or frames cracking because the stock frame couldn't handle the weight of the batteries and the complete car pivoting from one area to another. These are just a few examples of problems that hydraulics can cause when they are demonstrated with massive force that becomes abusive to the undercarriage of today's lowriders.

We stopped at Red's Hydraulics in Lynwood, California, where they were wrapping up an early Impala X-frame and were beginning to start construction on an H-frame type. Even though the frames were slightly different, the stress points are the same as the ones on most cars that have a frame under them. We took advantage of the situation and thought we should show you some pointers that the suspension experts at Red's pointed out for all of us. Don't stress out on your frame, wrapping it will relieve your chassis.

Follow along as the boys at Red's show us how they reinforced the stress points on vehicle frames that are powered by hydraulics.

The guys at Red's were ready to give some stress relief to this frame.
This first-generation Impala frame received a mild wrap.
A mild wrap usually consists of the front part of the frame getting plated to strengthen the stock frame.
A mild wrap usually consists of the front part of the frame getting plated to strengthen t

The rear of the frame had the outside plated. This helps prevent the bridge from collapsing.
The rear of the frame had the outside plated. This helps prevent the bridge from collapsin
As you can see from the painted sections, this is exactly where the stress points are on this X-frame.
As you can see from the painted sections, this is exactly where the stress points are on t
When you don't reinforce a frame, you have the risk of cracking it like this one.

When getting ready to weld, a good ground is always a good thing.
Any coatings of any sort were cleaned and taken down to metal to allow a clean weld.
The coil cradles on the bridge can easily be reinforced by welding a complete bead instead of factory spot welds.
The coil cradles on the bridge can easily be reinforced by welding a complete bead instead

Using cardboard will allow you to make an easy template that you can transfer over to a piece of metal.
Using cardboard will allow you to make an easy template that you can transfer over to a pi
Using a c-vise will allow the metal to flex along the frame while it gets tack welded into place.
Using a c-vise will allow the metal to flex along the frame while it gets tack welded into
The frame bridge was also receiving some reinforcing.

The bridge was ready to have some patterns made.
When welding on a frame, it's always a good idea to work on it off the ground.
By using a torch, the metal template was cut out.

Once the metal insert was tack welded, beads were welded at another time.
This section of reinforcement was tack welded and bent as it went on.
Once the welds were done, they were grinded smooth like the factory shape.

Using a break allowed us to give the metal the slight bend needed to be applied.
The metal started from flat stock and was going to have to be shaped to the bridge.
C-clamps are a very important tool because they keep the metal piece in place as it receives tack welding.
C-clamps are a very important tool because they keep the metal piece in place as it receiv

With the outside of the frame reinforced, the inside was ready to be plated.
The rear bridge section was cut out.
A C-clamp was used to hold the metal in place as it was tack welded.

Using a little persuasion, or a hammer, the metal was hit to give it a round affect.
Once the frame is grinded down and shaped, it should have a factory look but with a reinforced area.
Once the frame is grinded down and shaped, it should have a factory look but with a reinfo
Cardboard templates like this one were done throughout the frame wrap.

Once the metal was cut, it needed to be cleaned from the slab that was left from the torch cut.
Once the metal was cut, it needed to be cleaned from the slab that was left from the torch
The lower frame bridge template was marked up and created.
Each metal insert was fitted before it was tack welded in place.