73 k10 frame major cracking issue.

[Mike_The_Grad]

Hey everyone, so I been working on my buddy's 73 k10 since June. Ls swap, rewire, hydroboost the whole 9. Anyways. I was checking the oil giving it once over when I noticed the framerail on drivers side ahead of the steering gearbox mounting area is practically cracked all the way from top to bottom. I noticed that the frame had been welded at least once before. They didn't do a particularly good job in my opinion. It's pretty bad in my opinion. I told thee owner I think he's due for a a completely new front frame section. But it's not in thee budget. So I'm going to do my best. I have the reinforcement plate kit to add after the frame repair. And a new remanufactured steering gearbox to top it off. Here are some pictures so far. I've already replaced 1 loose rivet from the front spring eye hanger. And I see another rivet along the bottom foo the frame rail for the front crossmember that holds the brake prop valve.

And oh yeah a chunk of the frame rail fell out into my lap about the size of a pumpkin seed. Any thoughts?

[old Rusty C10]

id save money for a frame it will probably break again from normal wear and tare

[kennyw]

At a minimum, grove the cracks, weld them up. Then weld on an overlapping frame brace like the one from ORD.

https://www.offroaddesign.com/weld-o...gm-trucks.html

[kennyw]

Here are some pics from fixing my C10.

[smupser]

From what I understand on the 4wd it’s a common place to crack. They make an overlapping weld in plate to strengthen it but I’m not sure who makes them

[Dead Parrot]

Budget or no, don't let it leave your shop without doing a proper repair. If it crashes and kills someone due to steering issues, lawyers and LEO's will likely come knocking with warrants and such. Well known issue. Well known solutions.

As suggested, check with ORD for suggestions and repair parts.

[Mike_The_Grad]

I bought the reinforcement plates on Amazon. Identical to the ORD and Rough Country plates. But about $60 cheaper. Cost was $30. I was able to clean and groove the welds with my die grinder and cut off disc. I stop drilled the cracks. I used a small comealong to grab onto the core support frame perch from underneath and I wrapped the other end around the ORD HD engine crossmember I installed when I did the LS swap. The engine crossmember was cracked too. When I cinched down the come along it pulled the cracks shut nice and tight. Had to punch out another rivet for the crossmember that holds the prop valve. BTW, it's pretty obvious the truck has been jumped at some point in it's life. The drivers side frame rail where the front leaf spring rear shackle attaches right under the cab is hammered pretty bad. The fenders don't align right and the body gaps are all spread at the bottoms.

There's about 2 inches of the crack that is directly underneath the core support. I think I'll groove that one from inside the frame and weld it there.

I was about to weld it up yesterday but the circuit for the 220v wasn't working in the area I have the truck positioned. So my buddy said to use is Miller bobcat generator/welder. I went to plug into the machine and it's a 4 prong 14-50 style outlet. My welder is a 6-50 style 3 prong plug. Nobody in town had an adapter and I couldn't find one anywhere else. So amazon is bringing me one today. $25 straight plug adapter. Was going to get the short cord style adapter but they are all 90° plug ends and wouldn't fit the generator outlet location. So depending on what time that shows up is when I'll be able to weld it up. Here's some more pictures.

[Richard]

I would have no worries about a good repair. A good idea to add the steering box brace as well, even with the reinforcement plates. https://www.offroaddesign.com/bolt-i...wd-trucks.html I used this brace on both of my 72's and my 85. Thankfully I never had any frame problems on my trucks even with 38" tires.

[Mike_The_Grad]

I agree with the frame brace. I've installed the hogback steering brace on a 79 k10. Very nice, heavy duty 1/4" thick plate with big bolts and all metal lock nuts.
I told the owner about it and he said maybe later down the road. The LS swap kinda wiped him out financially. I got the adapter late yesterday from Amazon for the welder. But today is probably the windiest day we've had in a few years. They're forecasting wind gusts up to 100 MPH. I don't know.about that but it's howling outside already. I think I'm going to have to fluxcore weld it now. I was hoping to Mig weld it but it's just too windy.