Are you using a stick welder, or wire feed?

 

Stick...........

 

Stick welding rod 7018 is high tinsel strength. If you can position the frame so you are welding from the top, that is probably more important than welding rod choice.

 

 

Got the frame back from the sandblaster and trimmed the ends where it will be welded back together. Hopefully I'll get her connected tomorrow morning.

 

AC would not be my weapon of choice by any means. That being said, if you're set on using it, get some AC 7018 (yes, it is different form normal 7018) and have at it. Personally, I would use 3/32" rod and make a pass with 6011 first, then a couple more passes with 7018 (grinding in between passes obviously). The 3/32" rod will give you a little better penetration than 1/8" if set correctly.

No. As long as you are a good welder, vertical up and even overhead are just as good, if not better, than the flat position for penetration.

 

As long as you weld a diamond cut plate across the outside of the weld and box the inside of the frame I think you are good to go.

 

It's all one piece again!

 

You did Good MPH. What rabbit you going to pull out of the hat for reinforcing plates?

 

Nice.

 

Something like this MPH.



Here is a sample of a reinforcing plate

Then do this on the inside


Boxing Frame

 

Yeah I was thinking of doing that steel plate within the frame rails just like the picture. I was also going to do the diamond shaped plate but didn't consider the hole in the middle. I think that would help also. Great pics and thank you. I had heard that you don't want to weld around the entire outside of the diamond plate, that it would supposedly make it weaker. ???

 

Nice work!!!!

 

Seems like I remember someone posting about that. I think his point was to weld it so it can flex like the frame does naturally. With it. Not sure as I agree with this. This would have to be investigated.

 

I believe it's all about the stress risers that are created when you get to the points of the diamond shaped plates. As long as you radius them appropriately you should be fine. At one point, I had read of one person using a quarter to be his guide for how much to round the corners. I am no professional and don't claim to be. I studied a lot of this a while back when I built a new back half of a frame for a Toyota pickup as they were notorious for rusting out. Hope that helps.

Your build is very impressive and inspiring to me to get started on my 71 short bed 4x4 very soon!