How to Weld 1967 Mustang Subframe Connectors - Classic Muscle Car

Installing subframe connectors took about 90 minutes from the time Marlon Mitchell started until we pulled off the rack. It took us longer than that to fix the door latch on the driver side.

Installing subframe connectors took about 90 minutes from the time Marlon Mitchell started

'If you've been following the buildup of the CC '67 Mustang, then you know all about the Global West Suspension upgrades that up 'til now have included a hefty escalation in both front and rear spring rates, a set of gnarly tubular upper and lower control arms, a beefy sway bar, adjustable strut rods, and a bunch of other goodies. We also bolted on a Stainless Steel Brakes front disc-brake conversion, and we're well on our way to converting that lame 8-inch rear to a stronger 8.8 out of a donor '88 Fox-body Mustang. But even with all this work on the suspension, there is still something not quite right. That "something" is the thin sheetmetal floorpan connection between the front and rear suspension on a '67 Mustang. Early Mustangs are notorious for their lack of structural strength. Because we have plans to emulate the Jerry Titus Trans Am from 1967, it will include the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound-Trans Am style. We knew that the thin floorpan connection between front and rear would have to be reinforced if we expected this car to come anywhere near corner-burner hero status.

Don't be surprised that Global West Suspension offers complete weld-in subframe connector kits for most early Mustangs, Falcons, and Rancheros, including our '67 Mustang. There's also an option with the Global West connectors: You can get a basic kit or rocker-rail support for both sides. We decided to start the installation with the tubular subframe connectors alone and follow up with the rocker-rail supports at a later date. Marlo's Frame & Alignment is in the nearby San Fernando Valley, so we limped our six-lunger over to the shop, where Marlon Mitchell had the experience to make this happen.

Bar Science

Global West's subframe connectors are constructed of robust 151/48-inch-diameter, 0.125-inch-wall thickness, drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) round tubing that is not only stronger than rectangular wall tubing but also lighter. The tubes are shipped powdercoated black so that they won't corrode. No frame or floorpan modifications are required, and all we had to do was slightly relocate a fuel line and bracket to make everything fit.

The Global West connectors are designed to tuck up against the floorpan as tightly as possible to maximize ground clearance.
The Global West connectors are designed to tuck up against the floorpan as tightly as poss
After driving the Mustang onto Mitchell's alignment rack, the first step was to use a sanding disc on a right-angle sander to clean off 40 years of crud from both the front and rear subframes where the connectors would sit in order to improve the quality of the welding. This also meant cleaning the powercoating off the subframes where the welding would take place.
After driving the Mustang onto Mitchell's alignment rack, the first step was to use a sand
The instructions from Global West indicate that the rear portion of the bar probably will not fit tight against the rear subframe, and the company supplies a weld-on cover for this as an additional gusset. Test-fitting will require adjusting back and forth between the front and rear for each bar to be installed properly. Don't rush through this step. Taking your time will allow for better installation.
The instructions from Global West indicate that the rear portion of the bar probably will

Once the bar is exactly where you want it, it can be tack-welded in place front and rear. Double-check the position to ensure the bar is where it should be before final welding. This is a good time either to remove the carpeting or at least have a friend keep watch that the welding does not ignite the carpet or undercoating. Have a fire extinguisher handy during this entire installation.
Once the bar is exactly where you want it, it can be tack-welded in place front and rear.

Mitchell took his time welding both the front and the rear subframe mounts once they were tacked into place. The factory subframe is extremely thin sheetmetal, so it doesn't take much heat to burn through the factory tin. The best procedure is to complete one bead on the front and then one bead on the rear before returning to the front.
Mitchell took his time welding both the front and the rear subframe mounts once they were
This is a tighter shot of the open area on the rear portion of the flange. Global West supplies a flat-sheet steel gusset that must be welded into place to box in this section.
This is a tighter shot of the open area on the rear portion of the flange. Global West sup
Here is the gusset welded into place. Mitchell has already painted this portion of the connector to prevent corrosion. We will come back later to dress up this area and remove the excess metal to make it look better.
Here is the gusset welded into place. Mitchell has already painted this portion of the con

Note how the front section is snug with the floor, as the tube attaches to the side of the subframe rather than below it. This means virtually no ground-clearance problems, yet no floorpan modifications were required.
Note how the front section is snug with the floor, as the tube attaches to the side of the
Here's the driver-side connector completely welded and ready to take on a track day at Buttonwillow. What's also cool is that we now have a handy place for our floor jack so that the car won't bend every time we raise it.
Here's the driver-side connector completely welded and ready to take on a track day at But

PARTS LIST
DESCRIPTION	PN	SOURCE	PRICE
Subframe connectors, '67-'73 Mustang	911	Global West	$152.63
Subframe connectors, '61-'65 Falcon,'63-'65 Ranchero	916	Global West	224.95
Subframe connectors, '64-'66 Mustang	910	Global West	152.63
Subframe connectors, '79-'93 Mustang	912	Global West	115.74
Rocker-rail supports, '67-'73 Mustang	924	Global West	105.21
Rocker-rail supports, '64-'66 Mustang	923	Global West	105.21