Once was long, but now is short!

[rwhit57]

Trav looks good, can't wait to see more. Looks like a solid truck too. Keep us posted on the progress and updates. I cut mine down 2 years ago, did a straight cut with a diamond gusset on the back side, and I use it like a truck. Great work! I want one!

[justpball]

Love bro, great job... Don't let them get ya up set...
Posted via Mobile Device

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Travs70

I posted pictures of my truck to maybe inspire someone to try working on theirs in the driveway. I do alot of work alone and have to be creative sometimes, like removing the bed with the swingset. I love cars, trucks, motorcycles, or anything with a motor and wheels, and like to see what everyone else is doing. I get ideas from other people's work, but I dont criticize or ridicule their work when they don't do it like I would have done it. I didnt start this thread to have a debate over frame sectioning methods. It seems as though we all violate the "dont cut the flanges" rule. And I have seen much worse things done to a frame. My dad and I have had to weld a frame back together that was completely broken in half because of a bolted in c-notch.

My frame was straight cut and double beveled. It was welded using a Miller dialarc 250 and 7018 rods. A piece of the frame that was removed was used to box the frame for as far as I could box it between the members. I am going to ride in it with my family and feel safe. What you other guys do is up to you.

You're doing a fine job despite the critics. Please don't let them offend you.

[Travs70]

This is what 295,000 miles looks like in the ole 350.

[rotgg]

this type of thread is what makes this forum so great

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Travs70

This is what 295,000 miles looks like in the ole 350.

thats a long time on that v8, 150,000 is the usual cuttoff for a v8

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Travs70

I posted pictures of my truck to maybe inspire someone to try working on theirs in the driveway. I do alot of work alone and have to be creative sometimes, like removing the bed with the swingset. I love cars, trucks, motorcycles, or anything with a motor and wheels, and like to see what everyone else is doing. I get ideas from other people's work, but I dont criticize or ridicule their work when they don't do it like I would have done it. I didnt start this thread to have a debate over frame sectioning methods. It seems as though we all violate the "dont cut the flanges" rule. And I have seen much worse things done to a frame. My dad and I have had to weld a frame back together that was completely broken in half because of a bolted in c-notch.

My frame was straight cut and double beveled. It was welded using a Miller dialarc 250 and 7018 rods. A piece of the frame that was removed was used to box the frame for as far as I could box it between the members. I am going to ride in it with my family and feel safe. What you other guys do is up to you.

think your method and other posted methods work fine as long as you know the strong/weak points and adress them accordingly in you case i would only be concerned about welds making a hard spot on a flexible frame and cracking around the welds, with your boxing it should be fine

[pat386]

This is the internet, an extension of the real world. Everyone is going to criticize. I for one like it, as it tends to lead to great discussions some may learn from, others may not.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Desert1957]

I'm sorry if anyone posting on this thread has misunderstood MY intentions.

I personally did not post criticism , but a suggestion on how I might have done the modification differently. We are all here to learn from each other. So don't be so touchy about people making suggestions on your thread.

One point to remember is that some people read these threads and do their own projects without ever commenting or posting their own information..

No one knows how good a welder you are or what projects you've done in the past, be open to learning something you don't know.

I have learned a ton of info from this forum , as have you.

If I feel like someone is posting info which is questionable , I will post my concerns.

If this has offended you , I'm truly sorry.

My concern is that everyone who dives into MAJOR frame modifications knows all the dangers.

no reply needed

Desert

[pat386]

Didn't offend me! I just saw somebody throw the crticize word out there haha
Posted via Mobile Device

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

looks good, I'm think'n of a short bed for my Dually.
I am curious to see how you modifi the brake lines and where the drive shaft is short'nd.

Holy crap !
I'm just wait'n to see how you work out the brake line's and driveshaft, my Girlfriend bought me a short bed yesterday so I will defanently be do'n this to mine when I get home .
aslo what are your plans for the fuel tanks ?
look's good so far , keep the picture's come'n.

[Travs70]

Sorry Jit, my truck is in the body shop. when i get it back i will get some pics of the brake lines. The driveshaft was cut at the front of the second drive shaft next to the yoke that slips onto the front drive shaft. As far as the rear brake line goes, there is a coupling that joins two pieces of tubing right behind the cab. I removed the line between this coupling and the rear rubber hose, and installed a shorter line.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rwhit57]

I cheated on mine. I bought a burnt SWB truck, sold off more than enough pieces to get my money back and used the bed, brake line, driveshaft, and even the exhaust. Made it very simple, and the parts trucks are out there.

[truckfan]

watchin....

[Travs70]

Posted via Mobile Device

[jjzepplin]

I have one bent rail on my old blazer frame and am going to replace it with a section from the junk yard. I am going to do it just as you did. Cut a piece out of the old frame and shorten it's width and use it to box the section where I cut it. Grade eight bolts in all the spots where there were rivets. Diamond plate the outside ( maybe ) And double bevel the straight cut section. It is the steering box side so I am also going to cut out the steering box bolt in section and weld it to the new frame to strengthen that spot as well.. I used to work at a Diesel repair facility that did nothing but frame and axle and alignments on big trucks and that is how they did it. Sometimes they did not weld the frames when they were aluminum. In fact we had a really cool drill that clamped to the frame and would drill the holes by itself...Kinda like a core drill for cement.

[KQQL IT]

Works on these oughta be fine on a pickup truck..
Posted via Mobile Device

[81Psychobilly]

I don't care how its welded I just wanna see the end product!

[broey]

I gotta say. Just because its been done before doesn't mean its safe. Butt welding a structural piece like the frame of a truck like that is not normal practice. If a truck shop is doing this than they are not doing it properly. Anyone who does frame repair on a normal basis will tell you to z cut or something similar to give the most surface possible to weld and spread the pressure and heat. Even if it's a professional welder. Yes, the welds may be the new strongest part of the frame. but the heat generated by welding on the metal on the edge of the welds has been drastically compromised. If you have ever seen a weld break, you will notice it's not the weld itself It's the edge of the weld where the metal got extremely hot. Now add to that the weld is vertical in a high stress part of the frame and you are just asking for disaster. You don't need to haul anything to cause damage, a ruff bump in the road is gonna tear that frame in half. Blow me off and what i'm saying off if you want. But I would just cut your losses now and redo the job correctly.

[johnnyclack]

I have welded (3rd generation welder, w/4+ decades under the welding hood) longitudinal steel a multiple of ways; butt seam, 45 deg angle, & staggered. If time is the driving force the butt weld is the preferred method, for strength it is hard to overtake the staggered weld for strength

While the butt weld will hold, the staggered method is preferred when joining parallel channels. The reason being is because of the chill lines on the welds, the point at which the “heat dissipation” from the weld ceases to migrate.

[johnnyclack]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Works on these oughta be fine on a pickup truck..
Posted via Mobile Device

Whenever I was involved with a large truck frame splice we always “gloved” the frame.

Which is to say yes to a butt splice/weld, followed up by no less than at least a 36” piece (18” extending past on both sides of centerline = weld) of channel slightly larger than the original frame, then usually “Huck Riveted” to frame not welded.

I would be interested in seeing the finished product

[Desert1957]

"usually “Huck Riveted” to frame not welded."


I also have experience with "Huck Rivets"

I'm not sure 99% of the people here know what that is, I will tell you that once two pieces of metal are Huck riveted together , they are NEVER coming apart...LOL

Desert

[johnnyclack]

I used them to constuct the underframes for heavy rail cars (boxcars)

Never lossed a thumb, but I did lose more than one tip off my gloves...

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by johnnyclack

I used them to constuct the underframes for heavy rail cars (boxcars)

Never lossed a thumb, but I did lose more than one tip off my gloves...

275" i cant find any pics of the weld and glove though.


Neat ride from another forum i frequent.
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[johnnyclack]

Sweet looking Rig

Got to Love the BIG BOYS