OH, NO!!!!!!!broken frame
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: Athens, AL
OH, NO!!!!!!!broken frame
i put my truck (78 bronco, 6" susp lift, 3" body lift, 39" M/Ts) on 2 wheels the other day....came down nice and hard blah, blah...well, it broke a piece of the frame off (a chunk about 1"x2") just in front of the forward bolt for the steering box...i notice there are a couple of other cracks in the same area, going in different directions....i kinda need to fix it (duh) but aam not sure what to do...i was thinking of getting a piece of 1/4" plate steel and mounting it to the frame by drilling 2 holes forward of the box and 2 where the back 2 bolts go and drilling another hole for the forward bolt and bolting it all up....then i'll need an adjustable drag link, of course...bout how does that sound????or is there a better way?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 7
From: Sun River St. George
OH, NO!!!!!!!broken frame
rwjr, 1/8th inch thick mild steel fish plate with a half dozen or so 1/2 inch button hole welds and a couple of nice fillet welds across the ends of the fish plate should do it. Re drill the mount holes for the steering box and you're back in business. You may want to buy a welder, take some lessons, sounds like you may need them.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
OH, NO!!!!!!!broken frame
rwjr,
Cracks around the steering gear are not that uncommon on trucks. Especially ones with oversized tires that due time offroad. Weld a patch over the frame that's missing. Drill holes at the end of the cracks and weld them shut again. Don't cut a corner on this one. Pay a pro to get the welds right. After the frame is repaired an additional "Glove" or reinforcing plate may be a consideration to prevent future damage from occuring. I've seen yielding on my frames at the steering gear and added multiple fender washers to supplement area strength. Its working, kinda.
I should probably put a glove on mine.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Cracks around the steering gear are not that uncommon on trucks. Especially ones with oversized tires that due time offroad. Weld a patch over the frame that's missing. Drill holes at the end of the cracks and weld them shut again. Don't cut a corner on this one. Pay a pro to get the welds right. After the frame is repaired an additional "Glove" or reinforcing plate may be a consideration to prevent future damage from occuring. I've seen yielding on my frames at the steering gear and added multiple fender washers to supplement area strength. Its working, kinda.
I should probably put a glove on mine.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
OH, NO!!!!!!!broken frame
When I converted from manual to power steering, I made a 1/4" backing plate that bolts to the motor mount bolts up past the steering box and the used fine thread grade 8 bolts w/flat washers to help handle the torque of larger tires.
After you have the frame properly fixed, I'd make up a plate like this, it's cheap and every little bit helps.
After you have the frame properly fixed, I'd make up a plate like this, it's cheap and every little bit helps.
