Outrigger Replacement and Seat Belt Mounts

[PurpleV8]

Chassis referb in progress. Late 97 Chimaera which looked OK from underneath.

All going according to plan so far! Body now 6 inches above chassis and outriggers fully exposed. All badly corroded, near side is worse, holed towards the front on the top of the tube in a few places. Also very surprised to find a hole in the near side rear lower outrigger to main chassis tube where it is tight to the body near corner - Just something extra to look out for if you are poking stones out and using waxoyl. Overall both sides are much worse than I expected to the point that the strength is much compromised.

I would be grateful for any comments, ideas or suggestions on my plan below on how to proceed from here.

1. Remove outriggers both sides by cutting the 3 lower tubes that join the outriggers to the main chassis at the middle of their length.
2. Cut the outriggers away from the front and rear angled tubes that connect to the upper ladder chassis, leaving them intact and just grind off the excess weld where they currently join the outrigger corners.
3. Using the 2 removed sides as a patterns, fabricate new outrigger sides complete with the corner mounting plates, seat belt mounts and the 3 (half length) tubes to join to remaining parts on the lower chassis.
4. Welded new outriggers sections in place using internal sleeves to join to the 3 lower tubes
5. Re-weld front and rear angled tubes to the new outriggers.
6. Rust proof and paint etc

Will this work – has anyone done it already – is there a better way?

My other question is about the seat belt anchor points fitted towards the rear of the outrigger side tubes. On each side there is a threaded hole let into the outrigger tube used on my car as a seat belt mount and also one a little further back mounted on a small A frame on top of the outrigger that is not used on my car. Am I correct to think that the unsed A frame one is only used in a older version or a Griff maybe and I therefore I do not need to replace it when making up my new outriggers?

Any suggestions are most welcome

Purple V8

[Colin L]

Sounds about right to me, but take measurements, before you cut any off.

Also while there if you don't have a roll bar, now may be the time to do one, its easier to cut and put direct to the chassis rails, than just bolt to the seat belt mounts.

Have fun,

Colin L

[rev-erend]

Sounds fine - but I would paint most of the new outrigger off the car - only leaving the section to be welded clear.. and that's only say 6 inches.

[andy-w]

i have just done this although i did a complete body off.
what you are doing sounds about right...

My seatbelt bolted to the a frame bracket about 3-4 inches long...i noticed the threaded hole in the actual outrigger tube but nothing on my car bolted into this???