2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Boxing the frame

[rlambert94]

I have a 94 1 ton single cab dually. I want to know if it is possible to box the frame under the bed and also the rest of the frame. Also, how easy is it to pull the bed and cab off the frame so as to prime and paint the frame to freshen the look and also keep away rust. There is not much electrical stuff on a 12 valve so I would not think you would have many wires to deal with or am I wrong.

 

[Grizzly]

My daddy always said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

 

[EKlem]

You have to be very careful with boxing the frame. You will be creating a big stress concentration at the end of the portion that you have boxed. If you are going to box it, you really need to box the whole thing.

As for painting the frame, it sounds like a decent idea but it would be a huge amount of work. I haven't heard of frames rusting out so I don't know whether it would be worth it. My truck has been in NH all of its life and the frame isn't too bad rust wise but everything else is.

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have a 94 1 ton single cab dually. I want to know if it is possible to box the frame under the bed and also the rest of the frame. Also, how easy is it to pull the bed and cab off the frame so as to prime and paint the frame to freshen the look and also keep away rust. There is not much electrical stuff on a 12 valve so I would not think you would have many wires to deal with or am I wrong.

Here is what do. Power wash the under chassis and as much of the frame as possible. I like to manually paint brush a product called "rust bullet" or you can use "POR-15" on as much of the frame as possible. Also all the cab seams and spot welded areas. If you can look at a rusted truck for problem areas, you can brush those as well. After a few days, spray the entire underneath with black tractor enamal.



Then after a long time, probably weeks when the enamal is cured, have the entire chassis sprayed with old diesel oil. Then drive down a dirt road. Many think this is "hick undercoating" but I can tell you it is the best way and it really does work. The reason I like it, is if lets say there comes a day you want it to be a show truck, or need to weld in an area, or do some modds underneath, you can spray with engine degreaser and power wash again. It is not 100% permenant and will need applyed before every winter, but it is cheap insurance.

 

[CSnyder]

Well we completely tore this truck down and rebuilt it in 10 shop days with 2 guys and that included a complete paint job on the body and here is what the frame looked like before we cleaned it up and powdercoated it. You can read more about it in this thread... https://www.turbodieselregister.com...nly/191566-they-tricked-my-truck-no-joke.html