Reattaching Frame Together With Square Tubing, Is 1.5 11ga good?

[CillerCrocCustoms]

Hello all, I’m looking at building a buggy powered by 16hp Vanguard V Twin, the original buggy was cut in half for whatever reason by the person I bought it from. I’m looking to bolt two 3ft 1.5x1.5 11 gauge square tubing to each side on the bottoms. In addition I will be using an 1/4 aluminum engine plate on the top part. Would this be overkill? Is this just right, or too weak! Thank you!

 

[Functional Artist]

Hello all, I’m looking at building a buggy powered by 16hp Vanguard V Twin, the original buggy was cut in half for whatever reason by the person I bought it from. I’m looking to bolt two 3ft 1.5x1.5 11 gauge square tubing to each side on the bottoms. In addition I will be using an 1/4 aluminum engine plate on the top part. Would this be overkill? Is this just right, or too weak! Thank you!

Howdy CCC,
Pics would be helpful

It was probably cut in half
...to lengthen
...for taller driver

Most folks usually "sleeve" over the cut frame ends
...instead of bolting "to each side" of the frame rails

How heavy of a driver?

 

[Hellion]

You can also sleeve inner with a smaller diameter tube but it’s harder to do.

 

[Denny]

And weld don’t bolt.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Always weld! I just welded my car rims to the wheel hubs. They are going to last forever!

 

[Hellion]

Oh man, is okay to ask for pics? I stand with F-A....

 

[Denny]

How did you get pictures of my future wife!?

 

[panchothedog]

A piece of 1/4" aluminum is not going to cut it for an engine plate. Most big block
engine plates made for a 390, 420, or 440 are 1/4" steel. They all weigh around
80 lbs. I bet your V-twin is much heavier. If you're putting the aluminum on top of an existing steel plate, well maybe. Don't skimp on strength. Over build if you're
not sure.

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

Howdy CCC,
Pics would be helpful

It was probably cut in half
...to lengthen
...for taller driver

Most folks usually "sleeve" over the cut frame ends
...instead of bolting "to each side" of the frame rails

How heavy of a driver?

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

A piece of 1/4" aluminum is not going to cut it for an engine plate. Most big block
engine plates made for a 390, 420, or 440 are 1/4" steel. They all weigh around
80 lbs. I bet your V-twin is much heavier. If you're putting the aluminum on top of an existing steel plate, well maybe. Don't skimp on strength. Over build if

Howdy CCC,
Pics would be helpful

It was probably cut in half
...to lengthen
...for taller driver

Most folks usually "sleeve" over the cut frame ends
...instead of bolting "to each side" of the frame rails

How heavy of a driver?

Howdy CCC,
Pics would be helpful

It was probably cut in half
...to lengthen
...for taller driver

Most folks usually "sleeve" over the cut frame ends
...instead of bolting "to each side" of the frame rails

How heavy of a driver?

Driver is 160. I would say close to 300 with passenger.

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

Oh man, is okay to ask for pics? I stand with F-A....

View attachment 160394

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

How did you get pictures of my future wife!?

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

A piece of 1/4" aluminum is not going to cut it for an engine plate. Most big block
engine plates made for a 390, 420, or 440 are 1/4" steel. They all weigh around
80 lbs. I bet your V-twin is much heavier. If you're putting the aluminum on top of an existing steel plate, well maybe. Don't skimp on strength. Over build if you're
not sure.

This is very valuable info, thank you! The plan is I’ll be putting the plate over the entirety of the rear frame. It’s doubling as an engine plate, but also a “top support”. The tubing I’d like to do will be installed underneath the frame. Almost like sandwiching the frame back together.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Oh no

Please tell me your gonna fix all that.
No way would I trust it to hold a Vtwin.

 

[Sparkwizard]

Without that perforated angle iron bolted in, does the rear swingarm still move?
I would think some cheap coilover shocks would be better in that position than what I see there.
We see some serious issues back there. Can you get a few pictures of the frame where it was cut?

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

Oh no

Please tell me your gonna fix all that.
No way would I trust it to hold a Vtwin.

Yes, it has a long way to go! I’ll be adding an aluminum plate on top and square tubing underneath. I’m sandwiching the frame back together.

 

[CillerCrocCustoms]

Without that perforated angle iron bolted in, does the rear swingarm still move?
I would think some cheap coilover shocks would be better in that position than what I see there.
We see some serious issues back there. Can you get a few pictures of the frame where it was cut?

No unfortunately the whole rear subframe was cut completely off the frame. Someone welded tubing on the back, probably to stretch the frame and so I originally bolted the subframe onto that bar. Haven’t had any issues with frame flex with the 212 originally on it (except that it was dog slow) but I’ll be removing the angle iron to gain more room. In the angle iron’s place I will be installing 1.5 square tubing underneath the frame and a 1/4 Aluminum plate on the top of the frame acting as a structural brace and engine plate.