Frame-clamping versus drilling (BBD please read)

[NPloysa]

Question: If I were to clamp a bracket onto my frame, no holes in the frame at all, just 4 bolts holding two pieces of steel clamped around the frame, 2 top, two bottom, would I need thicker steel than just drilling/bolting AND welding directly to the frame?



BBD, and others, I am talking about the way to mount my panhard bracket onto my frame. How did you do it, BBD?



Here is what I mean by clamping: #ad




Kelderman's kits do not require welding and a little drilling (that I know of) for the ease of install and to put the truck back to stock if need be.



My idea will be similar, but the panhard will be on the outside of the frame rail, bolted AND welded to the frame, but with lesser thickness steel (1/4") on the actual mounting plate, BUT will be braced with a 45* brace up from the bottom of the panhard to the top of the pax side frame rail and then again supported with a brace to the driver's side air bag mount. So three rigid points of attachment, plus the panhard bar itself to the pax side axle mount.



Ideas, comments, concerns, questions, all welcome.



Ramble over.



Nick

 

[bmoeller]

I'd prefer to see thicker plate, for the mounting plate. 1/4" isn't that thick.

 

[NPloysa]

Yeah I think I will put a bigger plate on it. I will also sandwich the frame with the through-bolts too. I have some 3/8 and 1/2". That should do!

 

[SRadke]

The thickness of plate you'll need is dependant on the load you ask it to carry. This is dependant on how you design your system. Kelderman's bracket is 3/8" (on the 5" system), it's pretty heavy. It's also not braced to the passenger side as you suggest, the plate carries the entire load. With a cross brace to the opposite frame rail 1/4" would probably be more than adequate. IF you ahve a box frame, clamping or welding would work. If it's a "C" channel, just bolt it through and be done. No need for bolts and clamps, a proper weld is stronger than you could ever bolt.



Also, in the 5" lift, the Kelderman panhard bar bracket doesn't attach to the airbag mount as shown in the pic, just the frame clamp.



-Scott

 

[NPloysa]

Also, in the 5" lift, the Kelderman panhard bar bracket doesn't attach to the airbag mount as shown in the pic, just the frame clamp.

Yeah, you are right about that. That was something I thought of adding on my system, then noticed it on the Kelderman Dodge show truck, the red dually. They added the brace to the bag mount, probably because of the extreme height of lift, which means the panhard bracket is longer than say the one of your 5" lift.



Nick

 

[SRadke]

I'm actually glad my bag mount was independant of that bracket. It allows you more adjustability that way. I would have had to cut and modify that bracket anyhow because I needed to fit the panhard bar bracket around my gooseneck which already clamped around the frame rail. I had to modify both Kelderman's bracket and my goosneck slightly to make them fit together. It was minor but would have been more difficult with the extra brace in there.



-Scott

 

[NPloysa]

If I do put the brace in there it will probably have to be added after I put the panhard and bag brackets in, either weld it or bolt it on. I enjoy working on it, but I want it DONE! I have one rear mount done, need to mirror the other side. I have the front drawn up and most the steel for it. Just need to measure, cut, and weld. I wish I had room at my apartment to do it but I don't, so it has to wait until weekends.



If I had the money up front for Kelderman's system I would have considered it, but I like to build custom stuff.



Thanks for the help guys.



Nick