[6T9GTO]

I just bought this set of rear end braces for my 69 4 speed convertible. Does anyone have a picture of these installed?


Thanks,
Bill

[steve v]

Bill,
I think they go from the forward upper control arm bolt (in front of the rear cross member) to the forward lower control arm bolt. You may have to take your upper bolt out & reverse it if the nut isn't on the front side of the rear crossmember.
I'd post a pic from my factory manual for you but my scanner just took a dump.
HTH,

[6T9GTO]

Thanks for the info, Steve. You wouldn't happen to know if the slotted end goes to the upper or lower mount?

-Bill

[RicksGTO]

Here's a good pic:

[6T9GTO]

Thanks Rick, that's just what I was looking for!

[1-GTO]

Bill...where did you get the braces for your '69 GTO?

I have the reinforcement braces for the 1966-67 GTO's but need a set for my '69 GTO also.

[Jeff]

Ames sells repros for 79$ or so, I believe PY has them also.

[Shadowjack]

I just put a pair of eBay specials on my '67 a couple of weeks ago. Little did I know there is more than one length...but after a session with the Sawzall and MIG, they're just right! Missing 2 solid inches though--I have no idea what they were really off of. Slotted hole goes on the lower bolt, BTW, won't fit any other way.

[TJH]

The longer ones are for 1968-72, I believe.
You can find them on ebay for slightly cheaper money, but often they end up getting bid up to what the new repro parts cost (stupid, but true).
I got lucky when I was looking for some for my 1970. I found a mis-worded ebay ad, and ended up getting the braces and some control arms for something like $20.

[6T9GTO]

I scored my set off Ebay. Sold by Bethel's Goat Farm. I paid $42 plus shipping.
-Bill

[my69gto]

I've never seen those .... what were they used for? Assisting traction?

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by my69gto

I've never seen those .... what were they used for? Assisting traction?

They were factory installed on cars with MTs. Supposedly to help tie the frame together during "spirited driving" (hard launches).

[my69gto]

so... they could also help with "spirited driving" in T-400 cars I presume????? Are these the same as some kind of "traction assisting devices"(not sure what they were called) that were available on 68's??? I read a thread somewhere about something from the factory on 68's to help in launching as you mentioned above...

[Shadowjack]

They were installed on manual trans cars to reinforce and triangulate the control arm mounts on the frame so loons who did a lot of burnouts wouldn't crack the mounts off the frame by dropping the clutch... Not sure you'd get the same shock loads into the frame with an auto.

[robz]

I believe they were only installed on Manual tranny GTO H/T only, not conv..I had them on my 69 4 speed H/T, but never saw them on any 69 GTO Manual tranny convs..probably since conv had the boxed frame, they weren't needed.

[69goatboy]

If you have a shift kit in your TH-400 or just like to drive hard, I'd put the braces on. At about $65 (# RPU80A from our host) they're cheap insurance.

[tajunkman]

Junkyard tip- I have found a few 68-72 el caminos including automatics that had these braces.

[CDN2PLS2]

Oshawa built Lemans have them.

[Matador-IV]

In the picture shown above, I believe the bars are actually mounted upside down.
The middle section of the bar that is "folded" back should be downward to provide clearance for the mufflers. That driver side bar needs to be turned over and mounted to the pass side.

[6T9GTO]

Robz,

They will still physically bolt up in a convertable won't they? If not, I may have a set for sale!