Reversing frame mods made to a gen 3 roadster

[Rmfolsom]

Reversing frame mods made to a gen 3 roadster
I just acquired a 2007 gen 3 roadster. The previous owner attempted to lower the body. He got as far as cutting some tubes. Where can I find some gen 3 frame diagrams or pictures so I can rebuild the frame to original specifications. The back seems fairly straightforward as there are stubs left that I can use as guide. Not sure about the front. I see that the front body mount struts welds have been ground, but can’t tell if the tubes have been modified. My plan is too strip it back to just frame, restore the frame, and then get it re-powder coated.

Cheers, Randy

[CraigS]

I am not sure about the front but have experience w/ doing the drop butt mod on my MkII. IMHO that mod really improves the side view of the FFR MkI, II, and III.
What was generally done was that the rear body was dropped so the top body hole aligns w/ the bottom mount bolt. To do that one needed to lower the rear upper corner of the 3/4x3/4 tubes that form the side of the trunk. On mine I cut about an inch out of the rear most vertical tube and the diagonal also. I made a thin wedge cut in the top tube forward at the next vertical so I could bend it down and weld all tubes together. If it were me I would work to incorporate the butt mod into you car. Unfortunately I have no pics of what I did so I can only suggest you search here and the other forum for the mod or for build threads where you can see the stock frame.

[MPTech]

Reversing frame mods made to a gen 3 roadster
..... The previous owner attempted to lower the body.

Lower the whole body? Makes no sense. The car can be lowered via the coil-overs (front and/or back)
Lower the rear/trunk/perky butt makes perfect sense and is highly desirable. I wouldn't "un-do" that mod.
I would also do more digging into what the "front body mount struts welds" modification was intended for. Maybe just cleaning up some bad welds(?)
I have never heard of anyone lowering the whole car in such a fashion or the front. (trying to understand what a "front body mount strut" is(?) Maybe a picture would help.

[Rmfolsom]

I have seen multiple references to an FAQ for the drop butt mod, but can't find it. If someone has a link, please share. Also, what is a half drop vs a full drop, and from where is it measured? Cheers, Randy

[edwardb]

I have seen multiple references to an FAQ for the drop butt mod, but can't find it. If someone has a link, please share. Also, what is a half drop vs a full drop, and from where is it measured? Cheers, Randy

Here are a few links:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?6034-Dropped-Butt-mod-advice

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/how-i-did-my-dropped-butt-mod.230055/

[Dave M]

Just wondering if all the cut pieces came with the car. That would make things a little easier.

[rich grsc]

Reversing frame mods made to a gen 3 roadster
I just acquired a 2007 gen 3 roadster. The previous owner attempted to lower the body. He got as far as cutting some tubes. Where can I find some gen 3 frame diagrams or pictures so I can rebuild the frame to original specifications. The back seems fairly straightforward as there are stubs left that I can use as guide. Not sure about the front. I see that the front body mount struts welds have been ground, but can’t tell if the tubes have been modified. My plan is too strip it back to just frame, restore the frame, and then get it re-powder coated.

Cheers, Randy
Randy, I posted a picture on the other forum.

[CraigS]

So did I.