[Oskar_in_usa]

Hello,

I want to install a chassis stiffener on my 86 Spider but I am not ready to invest $500+ for it and prefer fabricating my own on.
To make it easier and speed things us - is there any plan of such a stiffener availalable or would anybody share his plan with me.

All helpful feedback highly appreciated.

I look forward to your responses.

 

[Opiwan88]

If you have the welding skills

Seems pretty easy to me, from looking at the photos of the stiffener from IAP.

You need some flat stock to mount up at the steering mounts inside the front wheel wells. Some square tubing that runs back to the rear swing arm mounts. And some flat stock to produce the pieces that mount to the swing arm mounts and connect the box tubing to the front plates. And the cross braces also.

If you plan on fabricating something like this, I would imagine you have some idea of design and geometry, as well as welding skills. Otherwise, if you plan on having a shop do it for you, plan on bringing the car in for sometime with their team to get measurements and fitment.

What I don't know about is the grade of steel used, the strength of the pieces and what would be needed to do a good job as a stiffener.

 

[bianchi2]

i have made my stiffener, but made it lighter and stronger..

 

[930cabman]

i have made my stiffener, but made it lighter and stronger..

Would you be willing to share details?

Thanks in advance

 

[bianchi2]

some stuff i give the info away..lots of times...but in a rare few times..i am very sorry

 

[930cabman]

some stuff i give the info away..lots of times...but in a rare few times..i am very sorry

Thanks, I am sure that I can figure it out. It can't be rocket science, tie the forward section to the rearward section to eliminate twist.

I too have given and given and .... for years, these days I have gotten somewhat cranky on occasion

 

[bianchi2]

i am very sorry, i could not help you on this..i made a few and sold them for less than what the steel ones went for

 

[930cabman]

No need to be sorry, I have the ability to improvise adapt and overcome

thank you

 

[930cabman]

From what I can see, we are reducing the torsional flex in the chassis. I am entertaining alternate methods for this and will report back

 

[Renaldo]

Ben - owner of Ralli-Round (former Seattle/Eastlake, now Kirkland, WA) came up with a design that he said was lighter and stronger than the IAP version. Contact him to see what he might be willing to share at what cost.

 

[PSk]

Trying to imagine what could be done ...

Welding the doors closed would make a difference
Pete

 

[bianchi2]

many of use ( not me ) are a wee bit too round for a ; dukes of hazzard ; getting in the car thru the door with the top up,,its a small place to slip thru

 

[930cabman]

Ben - owner of Ralli-Round (former Seattle/Eastlake, now Kirkland, WA) came up with a design that he said was lighter and stronger than the IAP version. Contact him to see what he might be willing to share at what cost.

+1, thank you for the heads up, I will be contacting Ben for his assistance

 

[radojko]

+1, thank you for the heads up, I will be contacting Ben for his assistance

I’d be grateful if you reported back on what you learn…

B.

 

[PSk]

This might help as if it worked for a GTC it should work for a Spider: For Sale - GTC photo and info sheets-

 

[930cabman]

I am not sure if this would stiffen the torsional twist in a spider? but thanks for sharing

 

[PSk]

I will find what they did to the floor/chassis of the GTC ... GTC Reinforcements

I think Spiders have most of this anyway
Pete