Build you own frame
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Washington, MO
Build you own frame
After removing my bed and body from my 1989 F250 4x4 frame and finding its rusted beyond repair I was wondering if anybody on here attempted to build there own frame from 2.5 X 6 steel tube stock? I was thinking of useing my old frame as a full size pattern, cutting and then welding the pieces and just building my own. Any help or opinions would be appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: central illinois
Unless you had great skills and some way of making sure everything was true and straight i'ld just try and buy a frame from the scrap yard. An F250 is going to be heavier and require more skill then building a street rod frame. Just my .02 I wish u the best.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
I'd say find a frame and box it in if you feel it needs more strength. I don't know where you'd get this data, but I'd also want to find out measurements for a perfect frame (probably what a body shop doing frame repairs would need ? ) to make sure that you're not boxing it into a twisted shape.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Washington, MO
Onus,
That's what I was thinking. I figured I would be able to at least get the two main rails built up and then if I did have to go to a weld shop at least that part would be done. The frame I have is straight just rusted so I should be able to get all of the measurements off of it.
That's what I was thinking. I figured I would be able to at least get the two main rails built up and then if I did have to go to a weld shop at least that part would be done. The frame I have is straight just rusted so I should be able to get all of the measurements off of it.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Graniteville
As someone who made a living doing frame work at a bodyshop back in the 80's, I would highly advise AGAINST trying to build your own frame. Unless you have a way to make sure everything is true, (ie: frame machine or table) you are asking for problems. Even being off 1/8" of an inch in just one spot can skew things all over the place. There is a reason body shops charge big $$$ for frame machine time. Also, I will add in that, based on your last post, you do not have the equipment to do the job (welders, torch's etc) and are going to end up spending $$$ at a welding shop. Like DIY and 83 said, you would be better off getting a good frame from a JY and swapping everything over.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
Personally I am having a hard time believing the frame is rusted beyond repair. If it was, wouldn't your pick up basically be splitting in half?
I'm not saying there's no severe damage, but I would think you can at least do some support bracing and get along just fine.
I don't suppose you can provide any pictures?
I'm not saying there's no severe damage, but I would think you can at least do some support bracing and get along just fine.
I don't suppose you can provide any pictures?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
I agree Pics of said frame "damage" would be nice so we can get an idea, and I agree with most people posting here, DON'T try this if you DO NOT have the proper tools, not only would you run the risk of skewing things but other things could go bad, Im all for DIY and the like (trust me I DIY any thing i can) but frames are one of the few things I will always seek professional help with (breaks being the first thing...) I would strongly advise and recommend going to the local JY or PAP and find a good frame to swap over to...
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Washington, MO
LOL ok ladies and gents don't get you panties in a bunch I just asked a simple question. The truck I am refering to is a donar truck that my son picked up for about 100 bucks. The frame was so rusted under the bed/cab drivers area that when we pulled the body off the main bed c rail folded length wise (ie the "C" actually collasped) all minor cross members were completelt rusted away. Just about every square inch of the frame (that's left) is rusted so thin its actuall bendable by hand. I never claimed the truct was even on the road. It was sitting in water up to the cab mounts for years when my son got it. Why did he even get it, lol, who knows?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Washington, MO
Well actually the axles(front and rear) are in good shape, they were heavely undercoated and the engine only has 65 thousand (original) on her so it wasn't to bad. I've rebuilt a couple of rods and a few trucks already but never saw one with a frame as bad as this one. I have a pretty complete shop (240 mig, buzz box, plas cutter and so on) just never built an entire frame myself. I was looking around on line for a comp. that would bend up some 2.5 x6 tube stock to the frame specs and then I could just fab and weld in all the cross members but haven't been able to find one yet. So I figured what the hell I would pose the question here for some helpful input before I gave it a shot. Still thinking about it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Just buy a used frame. You can go to a junk yard and buy one for about $400.
then there will be no fitment issues and no CUSTOM charges. Springs will bolt on like they are supposed to, the body will bolt on, you will have a place to run brake lines, fuel lines and electrical wires.
CUSTOM = HEADACHE
Just go the simple stock route
then there will be no fitment issues and no CUSTOM charges. Springs will bolt on like they are supposed to, the body will bolt on, you will have a place to run brake lines, fuel lines and electrical wires.
CUSTOM = HEADACHE
Just go the simple stock route
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,876
Likes: 0
From: Hollister MO
Just buy a used frame. You can go to a junk yard and buy one for about $400.
then there will be no fitment issues and no CUSTOM charges. Springs will bolt on like they are supposed to, the body will bolt on, you will have a place to run brake lines, fuel lines and electrical wires.
CUSTOM = HEADACHE
Just go the simple stock route
then there will be no fitment issues and no CUSTOM charges. Springs will bolt on like they are supposed to, the body will bolt on, you will have a place to run brake lines, fuel lines and electrical wires.
CUSTOM = HEADACHE
Just go the simple stock route
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,876
Likes: 0
From: Hollister MO
I could see where that would be a problem, This old stuff is every where out here in the Midwest!