Re: Tubular front crossmember?

[the-mad-bastard@home.com]

> Anyone have the contact info for the fellow that was making the tubular
> front crossmembers last summer?  I've lost it...
> 
> I really need a STRONG front crossmember replacement, any hints?

	hey ed.  i'm currently driving my 84 jetta gli (the sciretta).  it's
got a 2.0 16V that was at first in my 16V rocco.  unfortunately, my
rocco sustained some pretty serious damage last year.  the 2 major
incidents in question were: 1. rear-ending a highway off-ramp guardrail
in cinci, and 2. having the motor rip thru the front crossmember at the
"local" (100 miles from home) 1/4 mile track.

	after much abuse, the front crossmember completely gave out on me.  i
knew that it's death was due anyday cuz of all the stresscracks all over
it from the front mounts' constant abuse (it didn't help that i had a
poly bushing in there).

	so, before i had the motor installed into my jetta, i had my cousin
make up a bracket for the front crossmember.  it's made out of thick
stainless steel (not sure what guage it is).  it runs the length of the
crossmember, both on the top part, and on the part facing the motor
(where the front motor mount connects).  where it meets up with the
rebar housings, it splits in both directions and extends for another 4-6
inches.  when i say that it splits, i mean that it goes up the frame (on
either side of the rad support), and towards the back of the car, along
the re-bar housings).  some room had to be made for the 16V rad, but it
wasn't too hard.

	does that make sense?  i hope so.

	basically, the car will rust out long before this thing gives way.  it
is solid.  and trust me, i beat the SHIT out of this car absolutely
everywhere i go.

	i dunno what's up with the tubular crossmember.  i remember hearing
about it way back before i had those stress cracks, but i had a hard
time visualizing it, so my opinion on it is really limited.  i'm sure
that it is a great idea, i just know nothing about it.  hth!

jason
the mad bastard

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