Before I can flip the VW bug’s frame back over upright, I need to add a couple of front torsion mount stiffening brackets. When I had the frame all put together before I noticed a slight bit of deflection when trying to turn the front wheels. These brackets should stiffen things up well.
I can now complete the welding on the bottom of the VW bug’s frame. I spent the better part of a day welding and grinding so that the bottom plate will fit flush with the frame members. After tacking on a couple more brackets I will be able to flip the frame back over, upright, again.
I flipped the VW bug frame over onto the passenger side and finished all the welding that I could get to. I then flipped the frame completely upside down and will now proceed to weld the bottom and ready the frame for the bottom plate.
With the frame up on the drivers side I have finished all the welds in this position. I will now flip the frame over on the passenger side and repeat the process. All that will be left to do is to flip the frame upside down and weld the bottom.
With the horizontal welds finished on the VW bug’s frame, I need to flip the frame over to finish all of the now vertical welds. I will lift the frame with my shop crane onto the drivers side and into a 90 degree position. I can now weld all of the now horizontal side joints.
With all of the VW bug frame bracing panels in place, I need to finish all of the welding. I will be flipping the frame from side to side to get to all of the seams. I will also need to completely flip the frame over upside down.
All of the VW bug frame bracing plates have now been tacked on. Both the front and the rear have the angle braces for strength and to keep everything square. I will be turning the frame over to finish all the welding soon.
It’s been a long time since I added some pics, but I am finally getting around to it. MR2 VW bug pics page 5
I am creating bracing plates for the front of the VW bug frame just like on the rear of the frame. There will be eight of these strengthening plates in the front. Each plate will wrap from one frame member to the next and will be welded on both sides to increase the bond.
Now with the VW bug strut bracing in place , I can continue with all of the rear frame bracing to give it strength and to keep everything square. I am also cutting out the caps for the main rail ends.