Jon,
The Xj6, has no “frame rails” as it were.
the car is of a momococque type construction,
in which formed sheet metal, is the basis for
the strength of the entire body
the “rails” you speak of is but some of that formed sheetmetal.
it worls sort of like 2 X 4’s in a building, where the single 2X4,
isn’t strong enough by itself to support or stiffen much, the construction style offers a greater load bearing resistance.
In an actual “rail” designed car, the frame rails are the backbone, and they support everything, from the suspension, to the body.
Therefore they have to be strong, and are usually nade of
steel formed into a “C” shape, or a boxed shape (stronger)and are generally 1/8 inch thick at a minimum.
The Jag’s sheet metal, including the roof, floors, pillars, firewall, boot separator, and tramnsmission tunnel, is like a skeleton onto which all the outer panels are attached. therefort, like the 2x4’s in a house, they all work together to provide the needed strength, to support the car, and keep it from twisting, bending, and folding in half.
This should be repaired immediately, by someone experienced in this type of construction. As “see thru” holes in the “rails” are a definite
danger to life. Yes, you may get away driving with them, without incident, but it only takes one pothole, to cause stresses that may cause a failure, on the other side of the coin, in a collision,
they could cause the car to be a life hazard, collapsing the passenger compartment, and trapping passengers, or worse crushing them.
There are definitely major engineering calculations made in the design of this type of body, as to the number of bends or folds in the sheetmetal, it’s thickness, in certain areas, and the number of welds needed, to have it perform safely.
The major areas are: the “A”, “B”, and “C” pillars, the sills, the tunnel, the cross beams(under the seats), the boxes, which, provide the lifting spigots. Secondary areas include the firewall, roof, floors, and
doors. All put together, they perform in a manner similar to a roll cage in a race car.
(no, it’s not just to protect the driver in case of a rollover)
it is to add precise stiffness to areas if the vehicles frame.
in an XJ6, the body is the frame.
I am not trying to scare any one, just trying to make them aware of what CAN happen if not repaired correctly.
Charlie
Lumps Admin
Along the pass side of the transmissionFrom: JONRHOAD@aol.com
tunnel there is considerable rust on the floor board leading into what
appears to be a “frame rail”. The rust extends about two inches up the
vertical surface of the trans tunnel. I removed the worse section and it is
now “open”. I can look through and see the road. Sorta like Fred Flinstone.
The “frame rail” is not “fully boxed in”, but if I follow this forward it
merges into the frame rail which supports the engine and the front suspension
crossmember. The rust was caused from the blocked drainage tubes. PO.
I have removed the carpet and have removed the “noise dampening material”
(very hydrophilic) to expose the deteriorated sections. It extends from
under the front lower heating vent to in front of the seat mount (pass) but
does not extend beyond this point. The car appears to be very stable, and
this does not appear to be causing any problems with frame weakness that I am
aware of. I am planning on getting this repaired soon, but was wondering if
anyone could he;p me gain a better understanding of the main frame supports
in the XJ6.
Thanks for all the help,
Jon Rhoad
Windsor, Vermont
1985 Jaguar XJ6 III
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