to drill or not to drill the frame?

[lmills]

I am well aware of how chrysler feels about drilling these hydroformed frames, but I have recently came upon an issue. I went to install my undercarriage for my plow and it requires drilling two holes through the side of the frame and two into the bottom rail in the front by the bumber.



So what do you all think?

 

[Dean Upson]

Here are the guidelines for the drilling/welding http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/13-001-03.htm



Dean

 

[lmills]

thanks for the info! guess I will have to use my own judgement on the two holes on the bottom side.

 

[Sawbones]

I'm close to ordering the Torklift class 5 superhitch (15K dead weight capacity). From the info on their website it looks it looks like I'll need to drill between 4 and 6 vertical holes in the frame which DC says don't do. I have to believe that the weak link when towing has got to be the stock 5K hitch rather than the new holes in the frame.

 

[Kilby]

My guess is that the concern for drilling and welding is in the middle of the frame, not the two ends. In other words, I doubt the plow needs holes under the cab. They'll be up front where it's not critical. The hitch would be the same except the other end of the rig. Like I said though, just a guess. I did drill two holes per side right under the front sway bar (horizontal). I'm not dead and the frame didn't fall off yet.

 

[Johnstra]

I installed a Wan Trans4mer winch mounting bumper and it required holes in the bottom of the rails for brackets. I went ahead and did it. So far so good.

 

[hirschjn]

I just had my slider installed at Camping World they did a great job, when they mount the frame brackets they drilled the holes and snaked the bolts through the rail. I guess (from what the tech said) this is how Reese said to install it.

 

[Pit Bull]

"NOTE: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION DOES NOT RECOMMEND ANY MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATIONS TO THE FRAME ASSEMBLY. MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATIONS (I. E. , HOLE DRILLING WELDING, ETC. ) TO THE FRAME ASSEMBLY ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSONS PERFORMING THESE MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATIONS. ANYONE ALTERING THE FRAME MUST ASSURE COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSEMBLY, PERFORMANCE RELIABILITY AND COMPLIANCE OF APPLICABLE FMSS REQUIREMENTS.



CAUTION: USE OF PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS RECOMMENDED WHEN PERFORMING ANY MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATIONS. "



Sounds like they are serious I wonder what the strength goes down too when you alter the frame? I guess you really won't know until you hit something or over load it. Anybody wreak one with a modified frame?

 

[hirschjn]

Well the best that I can see, they (Camping World) did not drill ant holes on the top and/or bottom of the frame, all holes were drilled on the side rail and they were not drilled straight through, as I read the TSB the mounting of the "L" brackets should be acceptable.