• Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

TR4/4A TR-4 Chassis Frame question

Celtic2

Member
Offline
Having just completed construction of my new garage, I now have the urge to start the restoration of my TR-4 (CT1547 L). And I’ve run across my first problem.

My project car is one of the early ones with the TR3 type front suspension. As I was preparing to bring the car into the garage I noticed major rust-through on one of the chassis frame cruciform members. I do have several other frames that I could use, but all of them are after the change to the later type front suspension. It appears that the change affected the front spring towers and/or the upper bump stops, but I can’t seem to verify what the exact change was on the frame.

Can I use the later type chassis frame while still retaining the early suspension or must I repair the damaged section of frame?

My other question is about the BMIHT certificate. I would like to get one for this car. Can anyone tell me what exactly is the Technical Data Specification? It cost an additional £25 but their web site does not give any details on what you get for the additional money
 

TR4nut

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
I think the biggest difference you have with your frame is the front steering rack & attachments. The suspensions pieces/a arms / vertical links etc can be interchanged between the early and late frames. If you are restoring to get on the road, a late frame should work - but if you are restoring to show as an early TR4, then I'd either repair or look for a substitute frame.

Sorry, can't help with the Heritage certificate.

Welcome to the forum!
 
OP
C

Celtic2

Member
Offline
Thanks to all for the warm welcome and advice. I guess I will pull the car into the garage and continue removing the body to evaluate the overall condition of the frame. Then I can make a more intelligent decision. In the interest of originality, I would prefer to keep the correct frame for this commission number. I really like the RATCO frame and I might reserve that option for a future project.

I live in a small town of less than 4,000 and we have 2 classic car shows every year. The last show in September had approximately 200 cars, but the only British cars were 2 replica AC Cobras and a Sunbeam Alpine. I'm shooting for the goal of entering my TR-4 in the 2011 season, hopefully the spring show in May.
 

MDCanaday

Jedi Knight
Offline
I have an early frame for a four if your interested.but the later frame is no problem in your case.Just has different rack mounts and a little more bracing...
There was a change in the vertical links /trunions,just dont try to mix them.
MD(mad dog)
 
OP
C

Celtic2

Member
Offline
Thanks for the kind offer, but I think I may be able to use one of my later frames if the original frame is more damaged than I can see. I haven't completed taking the body off and I am hoping the only major rust damage is in the left front cruciform. If that's the case, it looks to be an easy repair. My other option is to wait until April-May and my son can bring me one of his early frames from North Carolina.

I'm getting real anxious to start this project. I should finish insulating the shop part of my garage within the next few days and then I can heat the area.

Thanks again for the offer.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
G For Sale NEW PHOTOS: Triumph TR3 Chassis Frame + Front Suspension, Fits TR2,TR3,TR3A,TR3B Triumph Classifieds 1
N Does anyone produce an entire BT7 chassis/frame? Austin Healey 4
J TR4/4A TR4 Shop Manual Chassis Frame Dimensions ? Triumph 1
M Chassis frame support Austin Healey 1
K TR6 T4A IRS chassis frame same as the TR6? Triumph 4
A BN2 Chassis Alignment Austin Healey 8
RJS TR4/4A Chassis Buffeting(?) Triumph 10
apbos The next rabbit hole. Help ID the chassis. Racing 27
apbos Help Identify this car chassis Racing 20
5 MGA Body and Chassis Separation? MG 2
BoyRacer Silver Healey - Chassis Color? Austin Healey 17
HealeyPassion Finally, paint on chassis Austin Healey 17
apbos TR5/TR250 TR250 rolling chassis and body for sale Triumph 3
Pep Daimler SP250 A-spec vs B-spec chassis Other British Cars 9
M TR6 TR5/6 Engine Mount/Chassis Brackets Assistance Please. Triumph 2
D Wanted: Healey 3000 MkIII body and chassis Austin Healey Classifieds 0
Guido36 Chassis Number Issue Austin Healey 11
Editor_Reid Healey 100 Chassis Dimensions Austin Healey 5
F TR2/3/3A back half to chassis questions Triumph 105
M Mounting BJ8 Chassis on Rotisserie Austin Healey 8
J Wanted WTB Triumph TR6 Body/ Rolling Chassis Triumph Classifieds 0
lbcspinners BJ8 chassis number ending with suffix "G" [??] on BaT Austin Healey 11
B Chassis Suppliers Austin Healey 0
J Wanted MK VII/VIII/IX rolling chassis with or without drivetrain Jaguar Classifieds 2
J Wanted Jag MK VII/VIII/IX rolling chassis with or without drivetrain Other British Classifieds 1
J Wanted TR3/4 rolling chassis Triumph Classifieds 2
J Wanted TR3 or TR4 rolling chassis Other British Classifieds 3
C TR2/3/3A TR2 Chassis Clips Triumph 4
B MGA Mystery MGA chassis part MG 3
V TR2/3/3A TR3A Chassis restoration Triumph 8
T TR2/3/3A Chassis paint color Triumph 10
BoyRacer Rig for storing chassis on its side Austin Healey 8
M TR4/4A Reducing rear chassis flex. Triumph 3
red57 Metal prep of chassis after repairs and shot blasting Austin Healey 5
B General Tech Prime over Chassis Saver? MG 3
TomMull Numbers re Chassis project Lotus 4
crya Current go-to source for VIN/Chassis Repro Plates? Austin Healey 8
TomMull CHASSIS SHIPPING Lotus Elan Plus 2 Lotus 22
P TR2/3/3A Chassis paint questions Triumph 8
F TR2/3/3A 1960 TR3A starting chassis work Triumph 81
M TR4/4A Reducing Chassis Flex on TR4A IRS Triumph 2
C Chassis plate screwsize Austin Healey 6
aero3113 BN2 Front Chassis Rail Austin Healey 6
Jake For Sale FS: BN1/BN2 Kilmartin Chassis Repair Parts, New Austin Healey Classifieds 2
K How would a new-chassis car be registered? Austin Healey 15
B GT6 Chassis color Triumph 4
PeterK TR2/3/3A Ebay rolling Devin body moded chassis - with O/D Triumph 1
P BN1 Rear Chassis-to-Shroud Extensions Austin Healey 1
Brinkerhoff TR4/4A Straightening a TR4A IRS chassis Triumph 15
BoyRacer weight of bare Healey chassis Austin Healey 8

Similar threads

Top