Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) crack in frame

[bdcraig]

Was under my 3500 today fixing a rear fuel tank strap(Calcium cloride from the roads messed up the frame where the strap fits in) anyway I noticed a crack on the inside lip of the frame rail just in the bend where the frame starts to bend up over the axle. Looked at the other side and it had a crack also. No rust, not even surface rust on that part of the frame. Looks like I've got some welding to do. Is this a common problem on these trucks.



Brian

 

[Forrest Nearing]

do you run over rough roads? I wonder if the flatbed contributed to the problem...



curious because I'm going to be putting a dodge to work pretty soon

 

[bdcraig]

All the time. It is a farm truck, I drive back gravel roads every day. Back through the fields and everywhere it will go. I've herded cattle roped calves and cows from the bed and all kinds of fun things. Pull a trailer loaded with around 14,000lbs. at least three times a week from May to Sept. Used but not abused.



Brian

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds like you may have wore out the truck. I'd weld angle iron on each side of the frame. You can do that on your 2nd gen, but not on the 3rd gen.

 

[DavidC]

Do you have to drill a hole to stop the crack before welding the angle iron?.



Dave

 

[bdcraig]

I was just going to weld the crack. It is on the inner lip of the frame.



Brian

 

[Grizzly]

I was just going to weld the crack. It is on the inner lip of the frame.



Brian

I'm sure that will work. Depending on the size of the crack I'd feel better with a little angle iron reinforcing.

 

[Bobcat698]

Are you sure its a crack and not part of the design? I think mine has similar looking "cracks". .

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I guess what I meant is the way the flatbed is mounted may have contributed. I've seen sometimes where they don't completely shim the bed and distribute the weight evenly over the frame rails

 

[Hendricks]

I have welded up quite a few frames on our company trucks. I have always just fish plated the rail by welding 1/2 plate over the crack on top and bottom and leaving both ends unwelded. Have yet to have a problem with it. I usually use around a ten inch peice.