Could someone educate me on torque boxes? What years, models had them and on what side? Do they make a big difference? Are they easy to add? Is this a must do, as you push the performance on these old cars?

Thank you in advance.

 

Well the main structural member that ties the front sub assembly to the rear one is the rocker panel under the doors. Without a torque box the only thing that ties the from frame rail to the rocker is the sheetmetal in the floor pan and firewall. Adding a torque box adds a very stiff triangulated box to the weakest spot between where the engine is trying to twist the car and the rear end resisting the twisting motion.

So take an early Falcon without any torque boxes, stuff a rowdy blown 351W in it, throw some slicks on the back and after a couple hard launches like that you wont be able to open or close the doors if you do get them open. If you just put around and never really put a twist into the car, then sure its fine like it is. Ask it to do more than the thin sheet can take, and you get stress fractures, buckling, and failure along with a twisted and distorted body.

So its up to you really. Drive like a grandma and be ok, or not.

 

I just got a set of torque boxes for our '65 coupe. Are they needed for how the car will be driven? Maybe not, but they will be there if/when I do drive it hard. I'm also adding sub frames for extra assurance.
Lynn

 

I have a convertible 1965 mustang and when I jack it up, the seam between the door and the rear quarterpanel remains even. I chalk that up to no rust and the torque boxes. Putting them on your car can only benefit you. That is unless you start the car on fire when you weld them in!!

http://mustangefiswap.blogspot.com/

 

We put torque boxes in our '66 coupe and it significantly stiffened up the chassis. Definitely worthwhile unless you are going for a pure stock vehicle.

 

My clone is far from stock with its pretty healthy 351W, so this looks like something I should pursue.

Here is what one source I found said:

Did not come in a 64-66 coupe or fastback
Did come in the 64-66 convertible
Seems like a mixed bag of cars that came with without starting in 67

 

Prolly best to do before paint, however you could do it, just pull your carpet back(if its installed) keep a bucket and wet rag near by.

 

I never thought of this, I just had the floor redone in my car. I have a 67, do I need these extra features? And yes, I drive my car like it's stolen.

 

Hey Musniki, I am in the same siuation. I am just wrapping up paint and wish I would have lowered and moved my seat position back, as well as added torque boxes....before I painted!

 

'67's only have one torque box and it's on the driver side, it would not hurt to add one to the passenger side and check the condition of the existing one.

Lynn