Heavily Damaged K member

[DodgeWedgeHead]

I recently stripped the front end of my 71 Challenger. Over the past week I power washed and soaked the k member. It was heavily coated in grime and grease which hid most of the repairs. It was obvious that a heavy impact had occurred and I did not believe I would be reusing it.

It blows my mind that my father put so many miles on the car after this happened. He got the car in 79...its even possible this damage occured before then.(but I doubt it)

 

[DodgeWedgeHead]

I'm thinking of a unique way to mount it in my man cave on the wall. The phosphoric etching is leaving a cool look to metal.

 

[DodgeWedgeHead]

In the forth picture you can see a slight egging to the k member bolt hole. My measurements of the front frame rails seemed to be within spec but I'm gonna do some double checking on my next good day off.

 

[aussiemark]

Check the frame rails haven't been moved by the impact, the K frame is way tougher then the rails so they may have absorbed some of the energy.

 

[rklein71]

I am having trouble seeing the heavy damage.....Maybe the pics don't show it that well.

 

[moparlee]

Looks like the typical scrapes and dings for a K frame. Like rklein71 said, I can't really see any major damage.

 

[DodgeWedgeHead]

Correction: Now that I get home and look at it again ...cracked in a few places and then reinforced would be a more accurate description.

Doesnt help that the horrendous factory weld quality adds to its already battered appearance.

 

[aussiemark]

Firm Feel used to offer reinforced k frames but now it looks like they only sell kits for DIY but there are still some photos of how they look and the kit seems like good value for $80, if you can weld or know someone this could be an option.

 

[Cudafor36]

Looks like someone had a Ferris Day with a set of railroad tracks. My brother took a '74 340 for speed car for one of those moments over one and hit so hard when he landed the rear shocks buckled in both quarter panels. Needless to say dad made him sell it that same weekend.

 

[DodgeWedgeHead]

I see firm feel still sells the strengthening kit....but that QA1 k frame sure does look nice. I'm leaning in that direction for some extra oil pan and header clearance. The car isnt going to look original or period correct anyway.