Hello,
Here are pictures of the frame of a 2003, apparently made in Feb 03. Please let me know if this is normal on an 03.
These pictures are from the front frame rails. The gusset shown in picture 1 is on the outer side of the front frame rail, slightly to the back of the front wheel. On the passange side, the gusset is painted (powder coated) and appears to have been coated at the same time as the rest of the frame. On the driver's side the same gusset is completely unpainted. 2003 Viper Frame detail 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Picture 2 shows a detail on the inside of the front frame rails. While the rest of the frame is welded sloppily (typical production welding) this part is welded better and it is unpainted on both sides. The coating from the bottom of the frame rail below has been removed on both sides. 2003 Viper Frame detail 2 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
did you buy this car already? is it back in chicago? or did someone go inspect and take those pics for you?
as i said in my pm it looks reworked
if this is the car we spoke of, it was a smokin deal, perhaps this is why. if you have it back here, i would be more than happy to hook it up to my expensive ass measuring thingamajobber and see if the frame is tweaked
I live in Minnesota. The car is still in the Baltimore area. I went there to inspect it, but I was not prepared to close the deal before researching this frame issue. Also, according to Stoptech, the front calipers also are not Stoptech because the casting has a raised Brembo on it. A few other things also would need to be addressed.
for some reason i thought you were in illinois. if this was that ebay car, you got a smokin deal, you need to decide if you can live with some issues. or you can just wait another one out. its DEFINITELY a buyers market for 03-05 srt's..if you wait long enought you can find a very low mileage, unmolested car for 5-7grr under what you paid for this one.
Yes, this is that ebay car. The frame scares me. Alll the other stuff can be fixed with $$$$. It appears to me that the frame was repaired pretty well, if it was repaired. There are a few other possible signs of some type of an axident. Wondering if anyone has an early 03 and has seen their frame and can say that this is definitely not stock.
As far as deals go, one example was a stock 04 with under 2100 miles that had never been titled (dealer's personal car) that went for $47.4k a few weeks back.
Tim
So are the round tubes and the corner gussets stock? othern than that they should be painted (indicating that they were welded in later as part of accident repair).
Thanks!!!
Tim
Hello,
Here are pictures of the frame of a 2003, apparently made in Feb 03. Please let me know if this is normal on an 03.
Picture 2 shows a detail on the inside of the front frame rails. While the rest of the frame is welded sloppily (typical production welding) this part is welded better and it is unpainted on both sides. The coating from the bottom of the frame rail below has been removed on both sides. 2003 Viper Frame detail 2 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Is this stock on a GEN 3? Could this be stock on an early 03?
Shit man, you really look a car over well. Good job. I would hope I would have caught that but it isnt always easy laying on your stomach with a shitty flashlight to see those things. good job and as kenny said, Not stock is correct.
Looks like a quality repair but there are so many good deals out there I would steer clear unless it was an outrageous deal. Can't tell anything unless you get it on a frame jig.
He didn't look it over himself, he sent Bryon Muller (one of the local VA/MD VCA guys). If you are ever in need of a car inspected in the Washington DC area he is the most thorough person you will ever find.
He installed my suspension and I have seen his attention to detail many times. One of the best independent viper mechanics out there (plus he owns an 96 B/W and a SRT that is currently at heffs).
I recommend using Bryon. One definite advantage we had was that the seller put it on a lift for us. This would have been a good deal without problems, but I'll have to pass on it. In addition to frame repair, many other signs that the car has been in an accident, for example: front frame horns do not look dead-straight to me, back corner of hood on driver's side is high, multiple signs that fenders have been off the car, etc. Calipers say Brembo, so not stoptech as advertised, cost to aquire Stoptech $3200+.
Other issues with the car. Back to looking, but with much more experience.
Last edited by Gen3Fan : December 22nd, 2006 at 09:32 PM.
I should add a few things:
If someone here buys this one, please check that front brake hoses cannot rub against control arms. Just rotaging the fittings appropriately could be all that is needed.
The repair work looks fine to me, so the frame COULD be fine. The welding, for example, is much better than sloppy factory work. As stated earlier, the frame should be verified in x y and z dimensions to be sure. I am glad that whoever did the repair did not paint it...
While both front frame horns definitely have a bend in my opinion, the bend is so sligth that it honestly will not effect anything IMO.
The car looks cool.
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