thanks for the suggestions. just so you know, the connection between the standoffs and the 8020 pieces was not to be a really long bolt, just a 1.25" long coupler bolt. and im not sure how much our team will be able to change in just one year. in prior years, we have used only 8020 for our entire frame, so anything else would be a major improvement. and to tension the chains, i thought to have some sort of lever arm coming off of the center of the "X" in the side panels, which would connect to a roller which would connect to a spring. but this could be overly complicated. or something like this:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...hain+tensioner