CRACKED FRAME :(

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Jan 1, 2003 | 10:05 PM

cryptonik420

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Senior User

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 184

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From: Knoxville United States o

CRACKED FRAME :(

Well, after all the work that I've performed on this truck, I finally found the end all flaw! I just had to replace the power steering pressure line (that was no fun - not enough room to turn the wrench!) with my buddy, I cranked up the truck to see if it was going to leak on me. My buddy was watching the whole steering box wiggle. He was said, "Oh, you steering box is loose, lets just tighten it up!" Of course I torqued it down and got back in to see what else might be wrong. This is where things went to crap for me. As I was turning the wheel the whole frame where the steering box attaches to the frame was moving! I found 2 cracks in the frame. I'm really sad because I love this truck. I think I'm going to have to sell it because I don't know if you can weld a frame back together or not. Is is possible? I really don't want to get rid of this thing (already invested close to $1000 in parts to get it back running normal). Am I going to have to get rid of it, or is it pretty inexpensive to weld a frame?

'87 F150,
Black w/Red Stripe paint,
6" Lift,
33"x15.50",
I6 300 4.9L,
3.55 true-loc rearend,
New (Used) Rebuildable HUBs!
Man Am I glad I did that upgrade!

Jan 1, 2003 | 10:08 PM

MustangGT221

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 14,947

Likes: 6

From: Topsfield, MA

CRACKED FRAME :(

I don't think it's anything to be scared of. You can weld the frame, just try to find a shop around you that can weld it.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds

.

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Justin - One Happy FTE Member

Jan 2, 2003 | 07:51 AM

cryptonik420

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 184

Likes: 0

From: Knoxville United States o

CRACKED FRAME :(

Thank you so much for the reply, I wasn't sure if that was safe or not. Thanks!

'87 F150,
Black w/Red Stripe paint,
6" Lift,
33"x15.50",
I6 300 4.9L,
3.55 true-loc rearend,
New (Used) Rebuildable HUBs!
Man Am I glad I did that upgrade!

Jan 2, 2003 | 08:59 AM

82F100SWB

Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 5,330

Likes: 17

From: Dryden, ON, Canada

CRACKED FRAME :(

My frame is held together by welds, I got out the big 'ol saw and chopped 22" out of it, then welded it back together... You'll be fine welding up a few cracks around the steering box. So long as you have a competent welder, there's no need to worry about it.
Evan
86 F250 HD XLT Lariat Explorer 4x4 ex. Extended Cab: 8800LB GVWR 460/Edelbrock 1411
T19/BW 1345/3.55 geared Full Floater 10.25/Dana 50 TTB
265/75R16's on Whitespokes

I'm just your average 18 year old... LOL

Jan 2, 2003 | 09:00 AM

larry derouin

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 772

Likes: 0

From: Glen Burnie Maryland

CRACKED FRAME :(

>Thank you so much for the reply, I wasn't sure if that was
>safe or not. Thanks!
>
>'87 F150,
>Black w/Red Stripe paint,
>6" Lift,
>33"x15.50",
>I6 300 4.9L,
>3.55 true-loc rearend,
>New (Used) Rebuildable HUBs!
>Man Am I glad I did that upgrade!

Best thing to do is find a fabrication shop that welds. Have them drill stop holes in the cracks, then weld the cracks and grind smooth on both sides. for the wheelside of the frame, Fabricate doubler plates of the same thickness as the frame member and fillet weld the plates on. Drill holes as needed for mounting boxes, shocks, etc. Friend of mine had this done to a 64 Dodge D-100 over 25 years ago for steering box mount problems and hasn't had a re-visitation of the problem.

Larry

Jan 2, 2003 | 09:40 AM

MustangGT221

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 14,947

Likes: 6

From: Topsfield, MA

CRACKED FRAME :(

Some of the guys in the bodywork forum might be able to help more but it's important that holes be drilled on each end of the crack. That will insure that the crack will not continue to crack more once it is welded. I'm sure you feel a lot better now, just remember how limos are made, they cut the car in 1/2 and weld in a longer frame, body, and other parts. Welding is pretty strong when it's done correctly.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds

.

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Justin - One Happy FTE Member

Jan 2, 2003 | 06:47 PM

samhihn

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 383

Likes: 0

From: southeast,usa

CRACKED FRAME :(

I had an 87 E-150 and the frame cracked in the same place. A good friend welded it up and I never had another problem with it. You'll have to get everything out of the way to do it but for a good welder it's a brieze!