Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jim_PA · 08-18-2009, 08:17 PM

There is rust all over, but this area looks bad. Everywhere else, looks more like somewhat normal surface rust.

The frame on the 68 isn't anywhere near this bad though. Starting to second guess this one... Need some opinions. -Thanks

cparman · 08-18-2009, 08:22 PM

You have this dressed down to the nothing. I would ask you to ask yourself " what is it going to look like after I powdercoat it " I would think you would know the answer. It sounds like you have 2 choices. pick the best frame, and move forward!

Jim_PA · 08-18-2009, 08:28 PM

Well, the best one is under the truck I don't want to tear apart...

This one was free -- Is it too far gone? Am I better off trying to find another one?

cparman · 08-18-2009, 08:43 PM

my $.02 is that is will look like fido's A$$ when you are done. I can appreciate the fact that you do not want to do a frame off to get the good frame, but come on man, its only money!! hahah

Jim_PA · 08-18-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cparman

my $.02 is that is will look like fido's A$$ when you are done. I can appreciate the fact that you do not want to do a frame off to get the good frame, but come on man, its only money!! hahah

Ok, so there's one vote to give it back, and look for a better one

rwolf9653 · 08-18-2009, 08:58 PM

Cast my vote for the donor frame being too far gone. I have been there, tried that, and it is not worth it.

Jim_PA · 08-18-2009, 10:44 PM

The piece that's riveted on... What is it? Couldn't I just replace those, blast the frame, smooth it out? The frame rails themselves look fine, I don't think the rust is all that deep.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-19-2009, 04:56 AM

You can remove the reenforcement for a better look.

I suspect that the upper spring seat is badly rusted and the frame in between the two pieces also. Removing the reenforcement should confirm the extent of the damage.

Jim

1969K10 · 08-19-2009, 06:10 AM

FWIW, my first truck came out of the coal mines of WV. It looked a lot like that frame. It had problems everywhere. the leaf plates were rusted thru really bad. Every nut/bolt/rivet was in bad shape. Over the years I got in pretty good shape, only to have someone pull out in front of me...
Anyway, I think you've got a LOT of work into that frame to make it a good one.

Jim_PA · 08-19-2009, 07:02 AM

Ok, I think I just need to get this thing out of my garage.. I keep having second thoughts.

STOCKISH · 08-19-2009, 07:58 AM

I wouldn't put my pride and joy on something I had to worry whether or not it would hold together. Frames are cheap, I've seen lots of them given away, please look for a different frame.

Jim_PA · 08-19-2009, 08:38 AM

Thanks all -

retodd7711 · 08-19-2009, 12:15 PM

Salvage what you can (not much)
Use the money from scrap yard to purchase full tank of gas.

Jim_PA · 08-19-2009, 12:28 PM

Well, I guess the price was right

Oh well, I'll have another extra 12 bolt in stock (if that isn't too rusted as well...)

bw4sale · 08-19-2009, 05:12 PM

Mine looked a lot like that. After weighing the options, I chose to go with another frame. Just my .02

unclewatts · 08-19-2009, 11:15 PM

Looks like the victim of road salt. I would pass.

pebbleboy · 08-20-2009, 12:30 AM

Wouldn't that part get cut out with a notch?

Jim_PA · 08-20-2009, 07:41 AM

That's a valid question... How far do you need to drop it to use a c-notch?

Arizona oldguy · 08-20-2009, 08:21 AM

Wow!!! it sure makes me appreciate Arizona roads, if you are ever in the neighborhood I have an immaculate 67 long bed frame taking up room on my property, no rust no fuss

Jim_PA · 08-20-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona oldguy

Wow!!! it sure makes me appreciate Arizona roads, if you are ever in the neighborhood I have an immaculate 67 long bed frame taking up room on my property, no rust no fuss

I didn't even have to remove the cab mount bolts

My 68 frame still has a good bit of original paint on it, and the cab mount pads are in good shape, so they all don't look like this, but they do exist

**70cst** · 08-20-2009, 08:51 AM

[QUOTE=Jim_PA;3472652]Ok, I think I just need to get this thing out of my garage.. I keep having second thoughts.[/QUOTE]

Your inner truck soul is crying out...No No JMHO

08-18-2009, 08:17 PM	#1
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? There is rust all over, but this area looks bad. Everywhere else, looks more like somewhat normal surface rust. The frame on the 68 isn't anywhere near this bad though. Starting to second guess this one... Need some opinions. -Thanks Last edited by Jim_PA; 08-18-2009 at 08:18 PM.

08-18-2009, 08:22 PM	#2
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? You have this dressed down to the nothing. I would ask you to ask yourself " what is it going to look like after I powdercoat it " I would think you would know the answer. It sounds like you have 2 choices. pick the best frame, and move forward!

08-18-2009, 08:28 PM	#3
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Well, the best one is under the truck I don't want to tear apart... This one was free -- Is it too far gone? Am I better off trying to find another one?

08-18-2009, 08:43 PM	#4
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? my $.02 is that is will look like fido's A$$ when you are done. I can appreciate the fact that you do not want to do a frame off to get the good frame, but come on man, its only money!! hahah

08-18-2009, 08:58 PM	#6
rwolf9653 more ideas than money Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: spring grove, pa Posts: 1,068	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Cast my vote for the donor frame being too far gone. I have been there, tried that, and it is not worth it. __________________ Randy 1948 Chevy 3100 5 window 1966 Chevy C30 Dually 1967 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy K20 1972 Chevy C10 1972 Chevy K5 Blazer 1987 Chevy V10 2003 Chevy Suburban

08-18-2009, 10:44 PM	#7
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? The piece that's riveted on... What is it? Couldn't I just replace those, blast the frame, smooth it out? The frame rails themselves look fine, I don't think the rust is all that deep.

08-19-2009, 04:56 AM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? You can remove the reenforcement for a better look. I suspect that the upper spring seat is badly rusted and the frame in between the two pieces also. Removing the reenforcement should confirm the extent of the damage. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

08-19-2009, 06:10 AM	#9
1969K10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clarks Hill, Indiana Posts: 733	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? FWIW, my first truck came out of the coal mines of WV. It looked a lot like that frame. It had problems everywhere. the leaf plates were rusted thru really bad. Every nut/bolt/rivet was in bad shape. Over the years I got in pretty good shape, only to have someone pull out in front of me... Anyway, I think you've got a LOT of work into that frame to make it a good one. __________________ 1969 K10 - V8, 465, 205, 12 bolt, D44 2002-current 1969 K20 - V8, 465, 221, Eaton, D44 2012-current Nothin' but drums on all 4 corners! past horses in the stable 72 C10-short step (97-02), 68 C10-long fleet (06-12)

08-19-2009, 07:02 AM	#10
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Ok, I think I just need to get this thing out of my garage.. I keep having second thoughts. Last edited by Jim_PA; 08-19-2009 at 07:03 AM.

08-19-2009, 07:58 AM	#11
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? I wouldn't put my pride and joy on something I had to worry whether or not it would hold together. Frames are cheap, I've seen lots of them given away, please look for a different frame. __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

08-19-2009, 08:38 AM	#12
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Thanks all -

08-19-2009, 12:15 PM	#13
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Salvage what you can (not much) Use the money from scrap yard to purchase full tank of gas. __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

08-19-2009, 12:28 PM	#14
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Well, I guess the price was right Oh well, I'll have another extra 12 bolt in stock (if that isn't too rusted as well...) Last edited by Jim_PA; 08-19-2009 at 12:28 PM.

08-19-2009, 05:12 PM	#15
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Mine looked a lot like that. After weighing the options, I chose to go with another frame. Just my .02 __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

08-19-2009, 11:15 PM	#16
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Looks like the victim of road salt. I would pass. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)



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08-20-2009, 07:41 AM	#18
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? That's a valid question... How far do you need to drop it to use a c-notch?

08-20-2009, 08:21 AM	#19
Arizona oldguy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Queen Creek Arizona Posts: 56	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? Wow!!! it sure makes me appreciate Arizona roads, if you are ever in the neighborhood I have an immaculate 67 long bed frame taking up room on my property, no rust no fuss

08-20-2009, 08:51 AM	#21
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,365	Re: Is this donor frame useable/fixable??? [QUOTE=Jim_PA;3472652]Ok, I think I just need to get this thing out of my garage.. I keep having second thoughts.[/QUOTE] Your inner truck soul is crying out...No No JMHO __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

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