welding to frame......
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: somerset KY
welding to frame......
i have never been a fan of welding to your frame, but i know lots of people weld gooseneck hitches to frame, with no problem. but, what about tow hooks? i want to put some tow hooks on my truck, and the only place i know of is in the front in that narrow little area. i had cut a piece of 1/2 inchx8 inch steel to weld in there, and then weld tow hook to that. any concern about hurting frame up there?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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Originally Posted by 2 stroke man
i have never been a fan of welding to your frame, but i know lots of people weld gooseneck hitches to frame, with no problem. but, what about tow hooks? i want to put some tow hooks on my truck, and the only place i know of is in the front in that narrow little area. i had cut a piece of 1/2 inchx8 inch steel to weld in there, and then weld tow hook to that. any concern about hurting frame up there?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
X'3 BOLTS!! take it from a guy who has bought two trucks now with goosenecks welded and this one also has a rear bumper welded to the frame. USE BOLTS!!! I am an excellent welder but will not weld anything to my frame other than the lower supports on my IC.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Lawrenceburg, TN
I think it all comes down to judgement and skill. When I put my gooseneck in I did all of the welding on the actual hitch farication, but when it came time to weld it to the truck I let my FIL do that part. It depends on your welding ability and the ability to judge where on the frame may or may not be a good place to weld to. If it were me I agree with the others for tow hooks fab up some sorta braket and bolt it to the frame with grade 8 bolts.
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Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,609
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From: somerset KY
that is what i wanna do, but cant find much place. could a person put it on the back side of bumper bolts....that piece of angle coming off of frame is tough, and just replace bumper bolts with GRADE 8's? i bolted my trailer hitch in, and thats the only way to go imo!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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From: Ohio
I am a certified welder, and did my own gooseneck as well. however, I welded a one inch plate steel across the frame to stiffen it up. Since its not a 4x4, I didnt want as much frame articulation for various reasons around here. I would NOT weld tow hooks to a truck, nor would I ever weld a bumper hitch to a truck. You will find that even grade 8 bolts will be lacking in the strength dept when used on tow hooks, just even from small jerking motions, they will begin to fail. If you have a decent supply, go for it, but keep a couple spares in your truck just in case. you WILL need them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
The biggest issue with welding stuff to the frame is its not reversible. Once its welded on correctly to remove it would weaken the frame. If you weld on a goose neck hitch then later need or decide to change it your in trouble. The same with a bumper or tow hooks. bend, break or want to change it and your in trouble.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Welding tho the frame is considered a no-no by the DOT. HOWEVER, many specialized shops do that in order to build the type of truck their customers need or want. If you were to look at a lot of the beer and softdrink delivery trucks, their frames are cut behind the cab and dropped to get the bed of the truck lower for loading and unloading their trucks. My brother build a service truck using a semi tractor. He cut the frame about 3 and a half feet behind the cab and dropped it 10 inches. Pulled the front drive axle out of it and made his own air ride suspension. When he dumps the air bags, the rear bumper is about 1 foot off the ground. 2 small steps and you are in the bed of his truck. Welding truck frames can be done and is done all the time. There are certain procedures that need to be followed to do it safely. I would not weld a bumper hitch to a truck or weld tow hooks. I would rather see bolts break off the tow hook as opposed to ripping a piece of the frame out.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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I'v built and welded gn hitches to the frame. Welded tow hooks to the front and rear of the frame on several trucks and wreckers and never saw one or had one come back with a failure over the last 30 yrs. I'm sure you could tear one out yanking with a chain but I always use a nylon pull strap or at least put one in mix. mchildress