MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

So I was thinking about FM's frame rail reinforcement...when a friend of mine showed me his. Aluminum rails out of computer server racks! Perfect width. Just cut to length, slip over rails, drill holes, and bolt up! (unless your rails are beat to s#*t like mine) So after some "massaging" in they went..cost me $18.00 in hardware...as opposed to $199.00. Here's a few pics:

mr_mazda329

Did they work well... can you feel any difference

MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

Feels a bit tighter...but haven't really had a chance to push it..just finished about an hour ago.

mr_mazda329

Cool... Not bad for $18. Go test it out more

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

pretty cool, i'm wondering how sturdy those rails are?

MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

They are pretty thick...I was standing on them while drilling holes....NO FLEX!!

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Did you just bolt through the sides or did you bolt up through the floor as well?

91NApeewee

thats cool, but the point of the FM rails is that they mount to the floor pans increase the stiffness along them.

Good idea though. if you mount some traverse reinforcement across those racks I am sure you will get a noticeable difference

MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

Floor as well

MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

Yes..thats the next DIY project

91NApeewee

DId you drill up through the center of the frame rails to mount them to the floor?

wes65

iTrader: (7)

Where did you get the rails? Do you have a part number or something?

silentbob343

might find them at Fry's

wes65

iTrader: (7)

I might have to see where the closest one is, im not sure.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

awwwwww dammit and here I had access to a bunch of those two post rack extrusions about a month ago. free. but didn't take them.

kenzo42

iTrader: (6)

For reference:

FMs

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

I like this idea alot. Your gonna connect to two rails next right? What exactly from a shelf is that?

This makes me want to get two street sign posts and a sign to connect them both. I remember seeing a miata with a street sign under the car somewhere.

Vash-

MX54PLA

iTrader: (2)

I remember waking up once with a street sign stuck under my car....I think there was a mailbox and a trash can too

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

Very innovative, sort of I guess, great idea, I like $18 much better than $200.
I just might copy you here.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

What exactly did that entail?
I can see some grinder work and perhaps some hammering. Was it that the rail was slightly wider than the track in the bracing, or was your rail uneven down it's length and you just smoothed it out.

How did you hurt your frame rails that bad in the first place?
What is the width of the rack you're using?

Do you think that these braces would "slip" over an unmolested frame rail?
What would be ideal is if the brace .001" wider than the rail and you would simply tap it up into place with a rubber mallet. Rigging up a crossbrace would be a really simple proposition.

Is there any dramatic difference in the undercarriage between the years. I know FM's brace is "universal", but is there anything to consider along those lines?