How this for a lift kit???

[EBottema]

JH- You think welding on hydroform frames is okay. Look at what DC says and look at what other companies say. DO NOT weld on them. Real simple concept. Why do semis use regular steel frames still? They are better and can be modified, plain and simple. Go back to your fantasy la la land where you think your truck is perfect and this hydroform technology hogwash is good. Can you say BAAA??

 

[Davey]

DAvey-



You will get lots of vibration from those heim joints. Stick with bushings unless you are having a full race truck... .





Using traction bars is like using a bandaid on a cut. You will lessen the problem but for a little more money you can do it the right way with no blocks

Not using heim joints, just regular rubber bushings.



Leaf springs without blocks can still cause wheel hop, blocks just act as a lever. Traction bars or a 4 link are the only way to cure wheel hop.

 

[JHardwick]

JH- You think welding on hydroform frames is okay.

I've towed the **** out of my truck for 73,000 miles with a welded in goose plate.



Burning some stick doesn't make you a welder!

Can you say BAAA??

I kinda figured early on that your daddy trained you on sheep

 

[kentkroeker]

I think that, although DC doesn't encourage it, welding on a hydroformed frame is acceptable. They give this caveat about drilling holes and welding in on 3rd Gen frames in a TSB:



HOLES:



"Holes are not to be drilled in the top or bottom of the frame rails. Holes to mount outriggers, brackets, and supports must be drilled in the web (vertical sides) of the frame rail with the following restrictions:



Hole diameter should not exceed 20mm (0. 75 in. ).

Material between edge of hole and top or bottom of frame rail must not be less than 40mm (1 . 60 in. ).

The minimum edge distance between any two (2) holes must be larger than twice the diameter of the larger hole.

Any through frame fasteners that torque down on both external surfaces of the frame rail must use an Internal spacer/reinforcement to prevent crushing the rail tube.

All holes should be drilled In the frame using appropriate safety precautions.

Avoid drilling holes near the fuel tank, fuel and brake lines and other lines and wires to avoid damage to them.

WELDING:

Prior to welding, the following must he done.



Avoid welding near,the fuel tank, fuel and brake lines or other components that may be damaged by the heat of welding, If R is necessary to remove the fuel tank, lines or other components, do it In accordance with applicable service manual procedure.

Components near the welding area which could be damaged by excessive heat must be removed or adequately shielded.

Disconnect the battery(ies)

Precautionary measures should be used to prevent electrical system components or wiring damage.

Frame E-coating must be removed from the weld area prior to welding. Use proper welding techniques to avoid stress risers that may adversely affect frame performance. "



Doesn't sound to me like anything special - just simple guidelines for drilling or welding on vehicles.



I've personally welded something like 90 separate beads on a certain 3rd Gen frame - and drilled around 20 holes. No failures of the frame, no cracking or anything weird around the welds either. I believe in the new frame technology. The fully-boxed frame is nice and rigid. In addition, I'm not sure of the alloy, but, when TIG welding to it, it doesn't like regular welding rods - it likes rods made for welding 4130 - chrome moly. When I say "likes" I mean that if you weld on a 3rd Gen frame, regular rod doesn't merge nicely with the material. What this implies is that the frame is made from a very high grade material - something close to chrome moly. I've welded a lot on 2nd Gen. frames as well. They like regular mild-steel rod.



By the way, I don't want to start an argument about which frame is superior. I'm just stating my experience with one 3rd Gen frame. Over the last 20 years I've severely bent five light duty truck frames. All were of the semi-boxed, C channel type (2nd Gen. design). I've never abused a truck more than the 03 my company owns and the frame is still perfectly straight. Not an argument, just my experience.



Point being that I think it's pretty safe to put some welds on a 3rd Gen frame. Safer, I'm sure, than it is to put your tires below the belt line. :-laf



Cheers,



Kent Kroeker

 

[JVolpe]

Fender trimming is better than lifting it to the clouds... keep that in mind. The top of the tire shouldn't be lower than the bottom of the truck. :-laf

I second that. I did a 76 Blazer the stupid way. Could't even drive the darn thing except on level roads and make wide turns. The worst part of it was one night after one toooo many I fell out of the dam thing just trying to get down :{ . It was gone the next day.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I think that, although DC doesn't encourage it, welding on a hydroformed frame is acceptable.



Point being that I think it's pretty safe to put some welds on a 3rd Gen frame. Safer, I'm sure, than it is to put your tires below the belt line. :-laf



Cheers,



Kent Kroeker

I wouldn't listen to this guy, He is nuts... . takes a brand new truck, breaks, bashes, builds, and improves it, races it in Baja, and even let me weld on the frame... ... KOOOO KOOOOO!!!! :-laf

 

[EBottema]

JH- I agree burning some stick doesnt make you a welder. However, I have taken a year or welding at a college and passed the schools LA county certified pre-test. So i'm not just some welder wanna be.

My daddy trained me on sheep? I'm catching your drift but that comment borders unacceptable on this forum. Read rule 2. 5. The Baa comment relates to you take all this new stuff as a godsend and everything on your truck is perfect- and nothing more. Keep drinking the kool aid and grow up.



Davey- I have had zero wheel hop with my new springs. I can understand that traction bars would improve things but start with zero blocks and add them after. Don't use them to bandaid wheel hop caused by blocks.

 

[JHardwick]

JH- I agree burning some stick doesnt make you a welder. However, I have taken a year or welding at a college and passed the schools LA county certified pre-test. So i'm not just some welder wanna be.

Yes, you are a wanna be. Until your welds can be cut in half, lap polished and examined under a microscope, your not touching my piece of junk hydroformed frame. Keep practicing on your supererior stamped frame ... ... ... ... and the sheep!

 

[JHardwick]

I wouldn't listen to this guy, He is nuts... . takes a brand new truck, breaks, bashes, builds, and improves it, races it in Baja, and even let me weld on the frame... ... KOOOO KOOOOO!!!! :-laf

I personally think you guys are both nuts ... ... ... ... somebody has push the envelope, and you guys are having ALL the fun

 

[EBottema]

Now that is not nice, the only nuts one around here is you JH. Don't forget to stock up on your koolaid at walmart.

 

[Davey]

Do I have to turn this car around? :-laf