Frame Boxing Plates
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, Az.
Frame Boxing Plates
Hey guys, I have been helping my dad.on his '35 Ford before I tear into my '55. We have cut out his factory X-member, boxed the frame and made a tubular X-member.
I started thinking I would do similar to my truck, and started looking for boxing plates, but I can only find front or rear boxing plates. Does someone make full length boxing plates, or for that fact does anyone do the full boxing?
I plan to do an IFS, and probably a 4 link rear with my supercharged 5.0 motor.
Thanks
I started thinking I would do similar to my truck, and started looking for boxing plates, but I can only find front or rear boxing plates. Does someone make full length boxing plates, or for that fact does anyone do the full boxing?
I plan to do an IFS, and probably a 4 link rear with my supercharged 5.0 motor.
Thanks
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 1,053
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Hi Derek
normally on these trucks used as drivers, a full box isn't necessary. Originally with the original leaf spring suspension the frame worked with the suspension and flexed to spread the load and handle the twists and turns of the suspension...
when adding IFS... flex isn't necessarily a good thing. I've got MII in front and ladder bars in the rear. I boxed from the snout to the cab... Unless you plan on dumping the clutch and torquing the frame with wheel stands, you'll do fine with the partial box... plus it makes wiring and plumbing a whole lit easier.
later
John
normally on these trucks used as drivers, a full box isn't necessary. Originally with the original leaf spring suspension the frame worked with the suspension and flexed to spread the load and handle the twists and turns of the suspension...
when adding IFS... flex isn't necessarily a good thing. I've got MII in front and ladder bars in the rear. I boxed from the snout to the cab... Unless you plan on dumping the clutch and torquing the frame with wheel stands, you'll do fine with the partial box... plus it makes wiring and plumbing a whole lit easier.
later
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,094
Likes: 654
From: Brentwood, TN
The first question to ask is WHY? If the honest answer is "because Dad did it to his car", then you should be asking WHY did Dad do it to his car. If the answer is something like...the 35 Ford has a huge Xmbr and it gets in the way of the late model driveline and exhaust and it must be modified to accomodate the new driveline, then you must ask yourself if that reason applies to your 55 F100 as well. My guess is that the answer is no.
There's an old story about a young guy who had just gotten married. His wife was cooking her first Sunday dinner and was making a special ham. He watched as she cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it. When he asked her why she did that she replied, "because that's the way Mom always made a ham". Later that year they were at Mom's house, so the young husband asked his mother-in-law why she cut off the ends of the ham before she cooked it. She replied, "because that's the way my mother always made a ham". A few weeks later they were at Grandma's so the husband asked her if she cut the ends of the ham off before she cooked it. She said why yes I do. When he asked her why she said, "the hams are always 12 inches long and the biggest pan I had to bake them in was only 10 inches long, I had to cut off the ends to get the ham to fit".
There's an old story about a young guy who had just gotten married. His wife was cooking her first Sunday dinner and was making a special ham. He watched as she cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it. When he asked her why she did that she replied, "because that's the way Mom always made a ham". Later that year they were at Mom's house, so the young husband asked his mother-in-law why she cut off the ends of the ham before she cooked it. She replied, "because that's the way my mother always made a ham". A few weeks later they were at Grandma's so the husband asked her if she cut the ends of the ham off before she cooked it. She said why yes I do. When he asked her why she said, "the hams are always 12 inches long and the biggest pan I had to bake them in was only 10 inches long, I had to cut off the ends to get the ham to fit".
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
If I were doing an IFS front AND rear with a supercharged 5.0 I would want to box my entire frame. You will probably have to make your own boxing plates...or, if you have a sheet metal shop in your area make cardboard templates and have them cut them out of 1/8 inch plate...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 581
Likes: 2
From: Byron Bay Australia
Any sheet metal shop should be able to cut the centre section boxing plates as that area is straight and flat. And with a supercharged engine i would box the entire frame.
However, you will need to carefully consider how you install your x member as poorly designed crossmembers wont work any better than a stock frame.
Maybe do a little research before picking up the welder. John
However, you will need to carefully consider how you install your x member as poorly designed crossmembers wont work any better than a stock frame.
Maybe do a little research before picking up the welder. John
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: long island,ny
boxing plates
here's a link for full length plates
Progressive Automotive, frame boxing plates, chassis boxing plates
joe
Progressive Automotive, frame boxing plates, chassis boxing plates
joe
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 1,053
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
89 bucks for two pieces of 1/8" metal 3 feet long seems high to me... you're gonna have to do some grinding/burning to get them to fit anyway... I'd build my own and buy the metal to do it...
are you welding them in yourself ???
john
are you welding them in yourself ???
john
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, Az.
Thanks for all the input guys! I don't see where a fully boxed frame is a bad thing. I would already be doing the front and rear, as stated. I will give lots of thoughts to the layout and design, but yes, I will be welding them in myself. I am fully equipped and more than capable. I have a shear, a plasma cutter, huge band saw, tubing bender and welder . All I need is time!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 28
From: manitoba
Thanks for all the input guys! I don't see where a fully boxed frame is a bad thing. I would already be doing the front and rear, as stated. I will give lots of thoughts to the layout and design, but yes, I will be welding them in myself. I am fully equipped and more than capable. I have a shear, a plasma cutter, huge band saw, tubing bender and welder . All I need is time!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
F350moneypit
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Sep 1, 2020 12:10 AM
GoldCo
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Nov 15, 2016 12:51 PM
GoldCo
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
May 29, 2016 01:07 PM
bulletsneverlie
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Feb 28, 2010 06:23 PM
