With all this beautiful weather that we've been having lately I finally got out there and messed with the colt a little. I got some measurements from Dan a while back from the M&S colt and wanted to do something slightly different when I mounted my rear subframe. Instead of using the stock mount that bolts to the back of the diff and bolt it to square tubing I wanted to make a custom one from scratch. I decided to make some templates of the frame rail and reinforce them with some 3/16" plate. While I was at it I drilled some mounting holes, welded some nuts on the backside and drilled the frame rail so that it would sit flush. This not only made it stronger but it now gives me 4 threaded bolt holes to bolt custom mounts to. The bolts are 1/2-13 grade 8 bolts, 4 on each side will be overkill for a puny mount but I want it to hold up.
bare frame rail
paper template
3/16" plate
clamped to the frame to check for fitment
realized the rails bend in slightly so I cut a relief in the back, put it in the vice and whacked it a few times with a hammer
drilled my 4 holes, grounds the nuts for welding
a little high temp anti-seize on the bolts before welding the nuts on
all welded up
view of threaded holes from the front
notched the rail with a step bit and my dremel tool to allow clearance for the nuts, there was a brace on the left side that I had to work around so I tapped it back slightly with a chisel
all welded in and shot with primer
made a matching rectangle plate out of 1/4" steel to bolt on
This will give me a strong, flat base to weld to. I'm thinking of using round tubing to run from here to the back of the diff. I will also incorporate some sort of bushing to allow for some flex. Yes I know just welding in the box steel would have served the same purpose and I could have the entire rear mounted in the same amout of time that it took me to fab this stuff up but I'm in no hurry and like to do things slighly different when possible. Once I get the rear mounted I will focus on something for the front of the subframe.