Crazy Frame Question

[rocksteady_racer]

Yea this is going to sound dumb and annoying. Well anyway I have a 91 shell. The other side of the frame is fine. But the frame on the passenger side has a rusted whole in it I just noticed near the front of the rail towards the passenger tire. Should I just buy a new shell or is there someway to repair this with welding? And where do you get not rusted s13 shells because everyone I get ends up having something important on it rusted. Thanks in advance.

[IIIXziuR]

If it's not super severe, I'm sure you can just weld it and box it to reinforce the frame rail.
Most of these cars have some pretty gnarly wear and tear and rust, especially here on the east coast. You gotta do good searching to find one that is in top notch shape w/o rust.

[ROUGE180]

I had the same problem in the drivers side and did what IIIXziuR is talking about. Cheap. Cost me $150 to weld that and the holes in my hatch sanded and then primered.

[rocksteady_racer]

It's not bent or broken or anything. It is just missing about a 6 inch piece of the one side of so I'm thinking that some shop should be able to fix it. Know any good frame shops in the area? Around Phila or NJ that would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

[slideways14]

Frame rails in 240s always rust. there are many people on this site that can fix it as well. you might want to contact wiisass because he welds and can definately hook you up with quality work if its not to bad.

[rocksteady_racer]

http://www.projectrush.net/cars/img/240sr/IMGP0197.JPG
Frame Picture

Ok what do you guys think. It doesn't look too bad it probably can be fixed with some welding and a large piece of reinforcement.

[ROUGE180]

good googa mooga!!! thats something fierce but you can get it fixed for sure.

[burnsauto]

this was just covered.

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=166066

[rocksteady_racer]

I didn't even see that but that place isn't making 240sx frame over rails yet and I wanted specific help on my damage. Thanks for all your help guys. I contacted Wiisass to see if he could help.

[steve_o1989]

I didn't even see that but that place isn't making 240sx frame over rails yet and I wanted specific help on my damage. Thanks for all your help guys. I contacted Wiisass to see if he could help.

There is the Nissan part number in there and the link to a site that sells the OEM replacement framerails. They will run you about $50 for the front. Deffinatly worth it.

[KA-T_240]

arn't 240s unibody cars? if so whats the point of the "frame" rails, especailly with how thin they are.

as in, would modding them, cutting/welding onto(to make cross braces like you see on other cars) really benifit that much?

[rocksteady_racer]

If I get replacement rails from nissan how are they installed? do they have to be cut out and welded in or is there another way?

[slideways14]

they will need to be rewelded in. make sure you get a good welder to do it. your frame is no joke.

[jackjack]

buddy of mine had the same thing. it can be fixed. ask around on prices. shouldnt be a problem.

[steve_o1989]

arn't 240s unibody cars? if so whats the point of the "frame" rails, especailly with how thin they are.

as in, would modding them, cutting/welding onto(to make cross braces like you see on other cars) really benifit that much?

It is a unibody but the rails offer more support and stiffen up the chassis. As thin as it may be it is the shape (bends) that give it it's stiffness. Compare it to trying to bend a piece of flat iron vs the same thickness of angle iron. As for bracing the rails, it will just stiffen the chassis more and reduce flex.

[IIIXziuR]

Thats really not that bad, I was expecting like terminal cancer rust.
If you find some who can weld a good over-patch to stiffen and fix the rail, I think you should be back in business.

[KA-T_240]

It is a unibody but the rails offer more support and stiffen up the chassis. As thin as it may be it is the shape (bends) that give it it's stiffness. Compare it to trying to bend a piece of flat iron vs the same thickness of angle iron. As for bracing the rails, it will just stiffen the chassis more and reduce flex.

ya, i had mentioned that earlier and everyone just flamed away saying it would do no good. I mainly wanted to do it cause I am putting driveshaft loops in, and figures make them into a brace in a way.