Frame Thickness????

[low4life1]

So, I've looked around and cant find any threads about this, so lets get the argument started. I'm goinf to be building a frame soon for my 69 C-10. It's gonna be something similar to the bad a$$ thing that vallycustoms is building, although probably not that nice. I'm gonna use 2x4 steel for the basic frame rails and then do some bracing with tubular stuff kinda like he did. I know JR used 3/16" thick for his. The last one I built was for a '95 Tahoe and I used 1/4" thick. I know IF customs uses 1/4", but in my opinion it was way overkill. I'm thinkin that most factory frames are about 1/8" thick and are c channel frames. Seems to me that if I do a boxed in square tube type frame in 1/8" it would be way stronger than a factory frame. Not to mention the extra tubular stuff to keep it from twisting. So whast does every one think? 1/8, 3/16, or 1/4"????????????

[valleycustom]

Originally Posted by low4life1

So, I've looked around and cant find any threads about this, so lets get the argument started. I'm goinf to be building a frame soon for my 69 C-10. It's gonna be something similar to the bad a$$ thing that vallycustoms is building, although probably not that nice. I'm gonna use 2x4 steel for the basic frame rails and then do some bracing with tubular stuff kinda like he did. I know JR used 3/16" thick for his. The last one I built was for a '95 Tahoe and I used 1/4" thick. I know IF customs uses 1/4", but in my opinion it was way overkill. I'm thinkin that most factory frames are about 1/8" thick and are c channel frames. Seems to me that if I do a boxed in square tube type frame in 1/8" it would be way stronger than a factory frame. Not to mention the extra tubular stuff to keep it from twisting. So whast does every one think? 1/8, 3/16, or 1/4"????????????

Art Morrison uses .120 wall on his rails. Shoot 3/16" might be overkill but better safe than sorry.

[low4life1]

Originally Posted by valleycustom

Art Morrison uses .120 wall on his rails. Shoot 3/16" might be overkill but better safe than sorry.

yeah I know he does. I was checkin out his frames last month. That's what mostly convinced me I could get away with the 1/8". With the crazy prices of steel these days and the ease of fabbin with the 1/8" I'm leaning towards 1/8" so far. I remember fabbin the frame on my tahoe out of 1/4" man that was some work cuttin that stuff.

[crazy longhorn]

The factory rails on my longhorn "mike up" right at .190(3/16"). I would think that if you are looking to shave some weight for racing, or a street custom, 1/8" wall (rectangle) tubing would be fine. I tend to go a little overkill, & would probably use 3/16 myself........IMO, 1/4" is way overkill tho. L

[Bowtie67]

I am in the process of doing the same, I called around to Fatman, Art Morrison and a couple others about what they used on their frames. Most use 11 gauge (.120) which is what I am using and others are using .084. Any extra bracing is done with either 3/16 or 1/4". I am using 2x4 boxed on the front and aft but for the main section I am using 2x6 and I plan on cutting the inside of the forward half of the 2x6 into a truss type config and leave the outside whole, I will also be adding some tubing on the inside for both cross strenth and rigidity. I am also beefing up the rear not so much as it is needed but more for added weight for traction. My battery and fuel tank will be as well moved to the rear for added weight transfer and pretty much looking for a steal gas tank vs Aluminum just for the added weight in the rear.