As the search for more power never ends, I need to look into reinforcing the frame. I don't want to box it though.

Ideas?

thanks,
matt

 

what do you have for power that the stock frame can't handle?

 

How many 1953/2014 F250's have a full boxed frame? None.

How many F150's before 2004 have a full boxed frame? None.

 

they tryed full boxed frames in galaxies and made a great place for moisture to hide and rot out the frames.

 

Unless you are doing wheeies or some serious off road flex, I dont see the point. I suppose you could do some crossmembers in the engine bay and somehow under the truck

 

i just moved back into the rust belt, so i would like to por15 the frame and undercarige. I will be knocking on the 1500 ft/lb torque door soon. So i would like to reinforce first and then por-15.

I believe i said, i do not want to box the frame

 

I can't see any other way then cross bracing. Kind of hard with the engine tranny and transfer case in the way though. I'm thinking your stuck boxing the frame and making stronger crossmembers. I'd have to say if a stock dodge frame can take it, I'd think a highboy would too.

I'd love to see some pics of your engine bay and a list of your upgrade parts.

 

Research the web and there are a kazillion opinions for sure. Seems most of the truck frame issues occur at the rear of the front leafs and the front of the rear leafs.

From digging around and not personal experiences(yet) we need to control or limit the twisting rather than stop it all together. Make it too stiff and something is gonna break.

I've looked a a bunch of pulling truck builds. Lots of good ideas there...check it out.

I'm planning on boxing the frame but I think the real strength comes from some new or improved crossmembers. I think I can get the cross brace going and incorporate into a tranny/TC cm.

Have to wait and see how it works out.

 

What are you doing as far as suspension to put all that torque to the ground?

Standard leafs wont put down as effetely as a truck with ladder bars, 4 link, 3 link, coil overs exc..

Is it blown or on a bottle? Alcohol burner? Does it "roll coal"? Is it a water/meth injection setup?

What exactly are you trying to strengthen? Are you wanting to prevent rotational flex from torque? Are you getting excessive frame to cab flex? Is the frame beginning to fracture? The current and projected stress points will need to be assessed before we can give a realistic answer to what kind of reinforcements will actually prove fruitful rather than just add heat distortion from welding and extra weight.

What is this truck going to be used for? Are you going to be jumping it like a trophy truck? Is this truck going to be for drag racing? Is this a weekend toy? Is it for mud racing?

What upgrades have you made to the driveline? A stock Dana 60 wont last long with abuse at those torque levels. A stock 9" would not last long either. Do you need trusses on the axle housings? What about a locker/spool to get power to both wheels?

My point is this: the frame is usually the last thing that needs to be assessed. We have to have more information before we can really give anything but smartass answers. Oh and you know we love truck ****. Just throwing the whole picture idea out there...

 

Not that it needs more .... but I know some big trucks had double and triple frames.

Like imagine two or three channels, each inside the next. A buddy of mine completely redid a old ex road tractor as a big wrecker and it had a triple frame. It'd require stripping the frame, taking it apart, making smaller or larger channels for the side rails, and then putting cross members and mounts back.
Another way is just pull spring mounts off and add 1/4 or 3/8" steel on outside only.