The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - What would you do with a bent crossmember in the rear

burnin oil · 06-30-2016, 08:35 AM

In my initial post I said if it is a work truck or a beater. If you are doing a frame off resto or full build, by all means replace anything that is bent, partially rusted, or any other reason you can come up with to include modded suspensions.

I can not believe that your frames are straight. They may be real close and good enough but I have never seen one perfect in all directions. Right side is usually low and never perfect in the X measurements. You may have one but it is definatley not the norm. I would almost bet it was off to start and bent straight. These trucks had bad build quality to start with. It was ment to work and not be a show vehicle. I would really like to see a perfect frame, especially since a frame shop can't even do it. They do get them really, really close.

My truck is my truck. I fix it as I brake it. It is a daily driver, a play toy and a work truck. It gets me to work, winches logs out of the woods, through the snow and ice, and anything else I don't want to do to my good truck. If it brakes I have other vehicles. My ride has not been over built yet. That will happen in a couple years when I pull the twin turbo 12v Cummins out of the farm truck. You bet I will straighten and box the frame and add a lot of crossmembers. I know how to build them when I do a full tear down. This truck is not to that point. Keep it on the road and fun is all it is currently. Trust me playing with this little, to me, 72 K20 is within my skill set. It is the smallest thing I own or wrench on. Other rides get a lot more fab work on them.

I was at a shop in Tn where they build logging trucks and I definatley heard them ask for a baby beater there. They were not straightening anything but moving a crossmember back that fit tight in the frame. I have had lots of jobs in my life, all blue collar, and they only one I did hear that term for a mini sledge was at the well diggers. We didn't use anything that small. Definatley did as a mechanic, working on power lines, and few other jobs I have had.

I said my piece now and I know that we will never see eye to eye. I can totally respect your view. This board has drivers and full on builds. Not all repairs need or require the same level of repair. It takes a common sense and a realistic assessment to come up with how to tackle repairs for the desired outcome. There are many ways to skin a cat and as long as its safe we should all make it back to enjoy this board.

06-30-2016, 08:35 AM	#20
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,921	Re: What would you do with a bent crossmember in the rear In my initial post I said if it is a work truck or a beater. If you are doing a frame off resto or full build, by all means replace anything that is bent, partially rusted, or any other reason you can come up with to include modded suspensions. I can not believe that your frames are straight. They may be real close and good enough but I have never seen one perfect in all directions. Right side is usually low and never perfect in the X measurements. You may have one but it is definatley not the norm. I would almost bet it was off to start and bent straight. These trucks had bad build quality to start with. It was ment to work and not be a show vehicle. I would really like to see a perfect frame, especially since a frame shop can't even do it. They do get them really, really close. My truck is my truck. I fix it as I brake it. It is a daily driver, a play toy and a work truck. It gets me to work, winches logs out of the woods, through the snow and ice, and anything else I don't want to do to my good truck. If it brakes I have other vehicles. My ride has not been over built yet. That will happen in a couple years when I pull the twin turbo 12v Cummins out of the farm truck. You bet I will straighten and box the frame and add a lot of crossmembers. I know how to build them when I do a full tear down. This truck is not to that point. Keep it on the road and fun is all it is currently. Trust me playing with this little, to me, 72 K20 is within my skill set. It is the smallest thing I own or wrench on. Other rides get a lot more fab work on them. I was at a shop in Tn where they build logging trucks and I definatley heard them ask for a baby beater there. They were not straightening anything but moving a crossmember back that fit tight in the frame. I have had lots of jobs in my life, all blue collar, and they only one I did hear that term for a mini sledge was at the well diggers. We didn't use anything that small. Definatley did as a mechanic, working on power lines, and few other jobs I have had. I said my piece now and I know that we will never see eye to eye. I can totally respect your view. This board has drivers and full on builds. Not all repairs need or require the same level of repair. It takes a common sense and a realistic assessment to come up with how to tackle repairs for the desired outcome. There are many ways to skin a cat and as long as its safe we should all make it back to enjoy this board.