Frame Shortening Tip

From: Siouxem@aol.com
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 12:17:26 EDT
To: dhelland@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Tip

I just read your outline re shortening a VW pan, and thought I'd pass along a tip on aligning it that I read in a buggy mag a couple of decades ago. . . . if you're interested. Being a Manx dealer, I was always on the lookout for a better way to build the things, and this is one of the better tips that I ever read. It sure beats all that measuring with a tape from corner-to-corner, etc.

Before cutting, make three sets of exactly equal-length "X" or "cross" marks on the frame, one set on top of the tunnel, and one set on each side of the frame (I made mine on top of the raised channel that the body bolts to). Of course, the equal-length marks must be made far enough apart and spaced so that they will still be on the frame after the 14 1/2 inch section is removed! The "taper" of the side channels will somewhat dictate the distance between the marks, but I think 16 1/2 - 17 inches was about what I used. Also scribe a center line on top of the tunnel. After cutting, pull the two frame halves together, align the tunnel by using the scribed line, and tack-weld it at the top-center of the tunnel. Then (with a jack centered under the tunnel and spanning the two cut-lines) raise-lower the jack and shift the side rails until all three pairs of marks are exactly equal again. It doesn't matter what the distance is as long as all three pairs or sets of marks are equal. Then tack the side rails, recheck the dimensions, and finish welding.

Being an engineer, you probably understand the triangulation principle involved. The three marks, one being on a different plane from the other two, assures alignment as long as the pairs of marks are exactly the same distance apart before cutting and after cutting.

Ron Ashley

Pace (just outside Pensacola), FL