lower front cross member thickness

I got mine and the front valance from Pantera Perfomance Center in CO but PI and the other venders have them too. The cross member is not super simple to construct unless you have some pretty beefy equipment. If you need a cross member will most likely need the vertical sheet metal behind it and the valance. Every car is different so yours might be one of the lucky ones.

Mike

I had to redo mine as it was rusted out.
what I did was get 2mm thick angle iron and weld that in, it is bnigger / beefier than the original, and figured it can only help.then I bent up a new panel that goes under it.
the other reason why I made that piece a bit stronger than factory, is that is where I sist my jack to lift the front, so figured the less it bends the better !
Good luck ! ( i just finished mine yesterday !! )

regarding the verticle sheet metal behind the cross member, that was rusted on each side and along its lower edge it was all messed up due to curb damage. i just cut off the lower portion below the "ridge", i was planning just to put in some replacment pieces on the bottom and side.

i have not figured out how i am going to replace the tow brackets, they were all screwed up, so they got cut off in a rage of frustration.

nazgul

If you haven’t already seen it, here is a link to the replacement of mine http://www.panteraplace.com/page44.htm Some good shots of the tow eyes, etc.

Mike

mike,

i had seen your posted article before, read it several times, broke out in a cold sweat, had nightmares and the shakes. thankfully my job is not as extensive or alignment critical as yours.

your article was a great help in deciding how to go forward.

my last question is "is it 18 guage from the factory?"


thanks in advance

nazgul

I think Johnny Woods makes this item. I've seen it on e-bay. He may be able to help out.

Nazgul,

I make the front cross member. It's 18 gauge as per factory. The reason the original rusted out is because there was no drain holes and no rust proofing. I charge $150 + $75 shipping from England.

Johnny

Johnny you take PAYPAL ? I forget I can use one since thats nexton the list of projects. I;m working around the front of the car.

ROn

johnny

a month ago or so i purchased your lower valence, i ordered it off your web-site, the crossmember was not on the site, if it had been, i would have ordered that also. now, i am actually looking forward to fabricating the lower cross member myself, at least i say so now, afterwards i probably will need psychiatric therapy.

nazgul

Hi Ron,

I do take paypal and would be happy to send you a cross member. Contact me on johnnyrwoods@aol.com

Nazgul,

Good luck with fabricating your own. I am sure you will be able to do it.

Johnny

Johnny. What's your website address?
Will

Will,

I am building a new website at the moment. My current website is www.woodsautomotive.co.uk
I also have an ebay shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/WOODS-AUTOMOTIVE_De-Tomaso-Body-Panels

Johnny

I'm hijacking this thread. Sorry.

I just tried to order a new cross-member and lower valence from one of the U.S. vendors. I'm not posting this to knock the vendor, he is a good guy. But, he is telling me that his cross-member is stainless steel. Has anyone heard of this? He says its not a problem to weld stainless to carbon steel. My welder begs to differ. Is this a good way to go? I'm thinking not.

I've got a perfect Johhny Woods valance panel available. Check the "Parts for sale" forum. I'm asking what I paid and I'll even throw in the shipping.

Whats the point in fabricating the front cross member out of SS ? Mild steel in fine ... and welding one to the other can be done ... but eventually the weld will crack ... you can use Flux Core MIG which is technically for DIRTY METAL ... it will weld ... but why apply principals in welding that you would use for patch work ?

Ron