Chassis - Stretching a Fiero Frame
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2/27/03
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These are the stretching methods by Dale Van Blokland

Dale has a lot of detailed information on his web site on how to cut the chassis, you should visit Dale's site Body Preparation section to gather more information on his methods. I grabed just a few photos from his site.

 

 

 

Prior to stretching the frame, you will need to loosen or remove the radiator hoses, unhook the shifting cables, fuel line, brake line and the wires that are attached to the firewall that do not have sufficient length to be moved back 11 inches. If you have not removed the battery, you will need to do so at this point. The cut will actually go through the current location of the battery.

Preparation for cutting:

It is very important that you have a level surface to work on for this next step. Place the car on blocks and use shims to level the car across the front as well as along the door frames. Be sure to support the front half of the car in such a manner that when you finish the cuts that the front will still be supported. Use masking tape or duct tape to mark the frame 5 inches back from the firewall where you plan to cut. This works better than trying to draw a scribed line on the frame.

You will cut the cradle at a location 1.5 inches back from the point where it attaches to the section next to the firewall.

Once the car is fully supported, place a floor jack under the back half of the car beneath the support that runs under the engine. Cut through the first two frame pieces on each side. Then cut through the cradle section. Once the car is sectioned move the back half away using the floor jack. Insert the 11 inch spacers starting on the top rail.

Tack weld the extension brackets in place. Continue to check the level both across the car as well lengthwise.

Check for square by using diagonal measurements. A good measurement is from the edge of the rear strut support to where the firewall meets the frame.

Measuring to check for square:
When you are done welding the 2” square tube, you will then weld the flat bar on the opposite side to provide additional structural support.
 

 

There is a detailed "manual" that Dale has created for you to view (in regards to this section). This instruction manual is on how he built his IFG Phantom Roadster. (click on his logo to visit his web site)

Click here to visit Dale's section on: Chapter 4 - Body Prepration

 
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Although my information comes from various builders and sources, if you want any information contact me. The photographs used on this site are used with permission, if you want to use any, contact them through the various links on this site. I did and you can see the results!