Chassis, Roll Cages, Frame Rail, Subframe & Front Suspension Kits

Upgrading your stock chassis frame rails and suspension components to aftermarket performance designs helps keep the tires planted to the road and track. Subframe connectors for example, stiffen the chassis and keep your vehicle more rigid, reducing flex, especially in convertible vehicles. These and other chassis-stiffening components keep the tires more equally against the driving surface, whether in a straight line at the drag strip or around corners on a road course.

Roll cages create a strong barrier around the driver that prevents the vehicle from collapsing in the event of a crash or rollover, whether in a NASCAR race car, off road truck, rally car, or drag racing vehicle. This helps improve safety and along with other safety components greatly increases the chances of being able to walk away from an accident. Custom roll cages are welded to the chassis, which also helps to keep it from flexing, further improving traction and handling as well.

A front subframe on car applications is a separate assembly from the main chassis / frame that attaches at the front. It is used to secure the engine, transmission, suspension, and other front-end components. Aftermarket subframes are designed with improved support and strength to minimize flexing and to create a rigid foundation for the engine and front suspension.

A roll cage kit is a bent tubular structure (attached to the frame by welding) that surrounds the driver inside the vehicle's interior. It is essentially a "skeleton", installed primarily to be very close to the body and is designed to prevent the vehicle from crushing inwards from any side towards the driver from an accident or rollover. If the vehicle has a working door, door bars can be used to make entry and exit easier. Depending on the racing sanctioning body, there are different rules and requirements for building a roll cage, so it is very important to research what you need for your specific application before installation.

Most roll cages for trucks and cars are made of mild steel or chromoly (also referred to as "chrome moly") tubing. Steel is cheaper and easier to weld than chromoly, however steel is approximately 35% heavier, which may be important when keeping vehicle weight down is paramount. The types of roll cages as well as thickness and diameter of roll bar tubing will vary, and is determined by the requirements of the type of racing that the vehicle will be participating in.

The replacement cost of a subframe will vary greatly, depending on the year, make, and model of vehicle. The price of a subframe can run anywhere under $500 to over $10,000, depending on what options and components are included. Labor can vary greatly, depending on how many parts have to be removed and installed during the repair or upgrade in addition to the cost-per-hour shops charge.

There are a variety of factors involved in the answer to this question. The first question to ask yourself is if the vehicle that requires this type of repair has sentimental value to you. If it does, the subframe is worth replacing. If you are not attached to the vehicle, the next thing to consider is the subframe replacement cost. If the cost is more than the value of the vehicle, and you are not attached to the vehicle, most likely it is not worth replacing. However, if replacing the subframe does not cost as much as the vehicle is worth, replacement is an option.