Very disappointing night (Frame)

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 28, 2015 | 08:46 PM

AMDFX8150

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 14

Likes: 1

Very disappointing night (Frame)

Just discovered that my passenger side frame rail had cracked about 3/4 of the way through

. I do not want to give up on this truck. should I weld the rail or replace it. if replace then where do I get rails?? 139" Wheelbase. new to the forum not sure how to post a picture

Aug 28, 2015 | 09:23 PM

Willz74

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 555

Likes: 0

I welded mine take some pictures to show us the damage

Aug 28, 2015 | 09:43 PM

Shadow944795

Posting Guru

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,033

Likes: 0

Might wanna look up your local laws on frame welding, been a while since I last looked but I think in Virgina you have to make a patch and bolt it on in that area with grade 8 bolts instead of welding it. Just a penny for your thoughts. But it can be welded back if you get the right stuff and do it.

Aug 29, 2015 | 01:14 AM

GNR22

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 4,197

Likes: 558

From: Central Wisconsin

Weld the crack, or have a competent welder weld the crack, and fish plate weld another plate over it. I've had good results that way. If the frame is too thin in the area from rust or whatever else, this isn't going to do a bit of good though.

Aug 29, 2015 | 10:38 AM

dixie460

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 3,533

Likes: 17

From: SW Florida

Show us some pics. My crossmember had cracked and been welded once already when I bought the truck. The weld had failed, so I cut out the thin sheet metal that the PO had reinforced it with and re-welded what I could reach without pulling the motor. No further problems with it.

About a year after that while working under the truck I saw a small crack starting in the passenger side frame rail. Drilled a hole at the end of it to relieve the stress and stop it from spreading, then vee'd the crack out and welded it. Still holding together as well.

Oh and this truck is no pavement princess either, I wheel her hard sometimes and it all holds together.

Aug 30, 2015 | 08:58 AM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 65,507

Likes: 5,563

From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNR22

Weld the crack, or have a competent welder weld the crack, and fish plate weld another plate over it.

this is what we did at the body shop. never had one come back or fail inspection for road-ability re-certification by the state police.
and New Jersey State troopers are very strict when it comes to re-certification inspections.

Aug 30, 2015 | 04:25 PM

'89F2urd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 5,776

Likes: 443

yea its easily repairable as long as what youre welding to isn't completely destroyed. just make sure you plate it real good, long lengths with nice beads. ive even sistered entire frames on old jap stuff, just cut a 1/4" plate in the shape of the frame, cut holes all the way down for more welding surface area and burned the shop down with hours of welding.