I am starting a 1954 f-100. This is my first Project vehicle. I have the entire truck disdassembled and ready to work on the suspension. I was interested in boxing the frame rails and was curious about 3/16 " vs. 1/4" steel. I will be installing the industrial chassis dakota crossmember. any assistance will be a big help

 

My frame was boxed with 3/16" steel. Boxed from front to back.

 

Use the 3/16ths as you will find it's much easier to work with than the thicker stuff. When I installed the Chrysler torsion bar suspension under my F-3, I boxed it using 1/8 inch because it was easier to cut with my limited tools. It seems plenty stong enough, but 3/16ths is probably better.

 

On my 54, I used 3/16 on the rear section where I had to reinforce after C notching the frame. On the front I used 1/8.

Can't really remember why I used only 1/8th on the front, but my reason was really good at the time.

I personally would think that 1/4 inch would be overkill. Either 3/16 or 1/8 should be fine.

If you're going with the "Volare" IFS, then wait until it's attached before you box the frame as some of the boxing gets welded to the new suspension member.

Later,

 

ParaGary,

I put an IC crossmember and a '88 Dodge Dakota IFS on my '59 F-100, so if I can answer any questions, please don't hesitate. Also, if you want to, you can view my link (click on "view users gallery" on one of my posts). It has a lot of pix about the install. E-mail me off-line (click on "profile" on one of my posts) so we don't use up too much FTE space.

Congrats on your first project truck!

 

Cuz,

your tag line cracks me up ...but maybe you should add "yet" !!!

paragary... 1/8" to 3/16" is gracious plenty... 1/4 is only adding weight... back to the front cab mounts... Joners is just showing off with his full frame box

john

BTW group... right now ...somewhere in America in that big old brown truck... is ridiing my new Ididit shiny tilt column... (I hope)

 

"Can't really remember why I used only 1/8th on the front, but my reason was really good at the time."

I think me, Cuz and a few others were arguing/discussing this one a while back. I think 1/8 is plenty, 3/16 won't hurt nothing, 1/4 is ballast. No sense heating up the frame more than necessary.

Full frame box is not necessary either. It will take out the flex that Ford engineered into your C-channeled frame. Will Joners frame spontaneously tear in half because he has a full frame box? Somehow I doubt that.

Good to hear your steering box is finally enroute.

 

DS59F100


What do you think of you front end after completion?