Archived frame cracked

[f.boyle]

Need help badly!!!!! my frame is cracked in the back. between the spring mount. almost perfictly cented. the bottom portion of the frame has rusted out completely and the vertical part has a 3-4 inch crack right up the middle of the spring hanger. any ideas on how to fix it?

Frank

 

[RGuzzo]

I have the same exact vehecile and love it dearly. I know the area of the break you are talking about and have seen it before scarey as it looks itmight not be that bad if the frame isnt too weak in the general area it can be inside spliced by a cert. welder You should look for a truck body spec. that spec. in fire equip. garb. comp. roll offs highway equip. . I hope I at least put your mind at ease. Let me know how you make out. It might cost alittle maybe a grand or so just guessing now good luck

 

[SRadke]

It's difficult to say without see the crack. Also tough to tell how much material there is left to work with if the botton lip of the frame has totally rusted away. If there is material any certified (or just knowlegeable and experienced) welder should be able to weld the crack an put a patch on it. Take it to a welding shop and see what they say.



-Scott

 

[KOdegaard]

Sounds like you should be able to repair with out too much trouble.

Trouble I had on a frame shorting project is that all welding

shops I contacted would not do it due to liability. So

I did it my self. I know, you never weld a frame! Well

the fact is that they do all of the time. Find

someone willing to fix it, sign a waiver if required

and keep an eye on it after and you will be back

on the road. BTW my project truck never broke.

Kirk

 

[f.boyle]

I could have been certified never took my test, things came up loking back well!!!should have done it. my friend however did and he said its to thin and to rusted I'd have to go basically from the back of the cab to the bend in the frame over the wheels. My cousin has a 80's ford 3/4 he blew the motor in if I remember right. I think its even standard so I might be a phord cummins man. the phord always has been an AZ truck so it should be mint or close to it.

frank

any othewr suggestions are welcome I'm just not sure if I could ever trust this frame. I have a digital camera in the mail so when I get it I'll post some pics of my perdicament :-laf :--) :{ oh this breaks my heart though It took me two years to get my friend John to sell me this truck.

 

[f.boyle]

I am also thinking about getting 2 pieces of heavy channel iron say 1/4-3/8" welding the crack on both sides of the frame then bolting the channel on the insides of both halves of the frame. maybe even an extra crossmember? I need a new fuel tank strap bracket also this ones looking weak. I would hate to see this truck go but the cab is getting pretty ripe too. I'll have to goto my cousines ranch on bagdad AZ and get the specs of the phord and then get in touch with phord cummins.com. Unless I way over repair this issue I would have a major problem towing with it.

Frank

 

[RGuzzo]

I wouldnt chance rebuilding the frame if it is weak or thin anywhere. As I mentioned previously about inside splicing . I was assuming the frame was good elsewhere and asked for you to check. It sounds like a new frame only if the rest of the truck is good mind you or parting it out and starting over. Depending on the cond. of the eng. trans. rears and such you should be able to add up a few dollars towards a pretty decent 1st gen rig anyway. If you decideto go this route let me know as I might be int. in the 5 spd 360 getrag and know of someone int. in your non intercooled engine what kind of cond is the trans in mileswise has it been rebuilt does it leak how does it shift thanks and good luck .

 

[KOdegaard]

If the frame is that bad what does the rest of the truck look like? you might

want to not waste any more on it.

 

[snowracer69]

I'll go to York Dodge with you and we can look at a couple of the nice used 2nd gens they've got up there. Sorry to hear the crack is un-repairable.

 

[f.boyle]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a decent250-350 but no luck so far. the phord is free not to expensive a swop neer as I can figure. the dual fuel tanks of the gasser kind of make me wonder if I can get the senders and tank switch mechanism to work. I'll go talk to the guys in conversions about that what do you all suggest? a ford is just a rebuilt dodge afterall my dodge definittelly quallifies for the FO part!!!!!!

Frank

 

[Paychk]

If you look at Barnes & Noble for the book titled "Welding fabrication & repair" by Frank Marlow, PE ISBN # 0-8311-3155-1 it has a chapter on frame repair. The adage don't weld on frames applies to 18 wheeler type trucks, most have special alloy frames and heat treating, usually there are warning stickers on the frame warning not to weld. The FSM states that electrical welding is acceptable and to install a reinforcing channel to bridge the repair area.



PS One place to look for a repair, is a shop that builds low riders or street rods. They are well versed in frame mods/repairs.

 

[1stgen4evr]

frame repair

The crack in this case is most likely the result of loading from the shock absorber. Or overloading to the point that the axle bumps the frame. Consider the fact that even with the crack, the truck has not fallen apart. I have spliced heat treated frames and if the work is done correctly, it will hold up.



There was a post a while back about rusting through at the tank mount bracket. If significant rust is your delima, I have a frame for a regular cab dually that I will sell or swap for something I need should that be of any help. It is complete less the engine, transmission, and rear axle. Sell/swap all or part.



For R. Guzzo. Did you get my PM regarding your transmission? My listing does not show that any message has been sent.



James

 

[f.boyle]

This crack I am 99. 9% sure was a combination of rusting through by VT road salt and a CAT 307 excavator in the range of 30k with trailer. not recommended in the owners manual by abot 15k.

I was looking at the frames on the 92-93 trucks and they are a lot deeper than the 90's. I think I am going to get a new welder and patch it my self. If I had taken the test I would have been a certified welder. but like a moron I didn't. and I left most of that type stuff in VT, so I'll need a welder, grinder, and all that fun stuff.

Another thing is should I box the frame? the entire thing? because of seeing the 92's nice deep frame mine is looking quite inadequite for the Cummins.

Also is there any way I can put a 1/4 inch patch on the outside of the frame and not mess up the spring hanger line up?

Frank

 

[f.boyle]

doesn't it though!!!!:-laf

Frank