Boxed Frames, how does it feel?

[texanidiot25]

We all know the frames on these trucks are flex-tastic. Shoot, over some odd-uneven corners I can feel the truck flex a bit in the floor. Of course, back then GM built these trucks with that flex accounted for. But when we go and box frames, how does it effect the ride and handling with a stiffer chassis? My next big project I'd like to box the frame and get rid of the flex, but I've been curious as to how the trucks do with it. As, instead of the frame and body flexing over bumps, this makes the suspension work that much harder.

[fine69]

I have often wondered this myself.

Hope to get some responses.

Thanks for posting this.

[skchevota]

My frame flex increases my articulation.....

[Green Machine]

Seems to me that boxing the frame would put more stress on the frame crossmembers ? Then the crossmembers would have to be beefed up too ?

These frames are pretty tough compared to a car frame or a semi-unibody like a Nova or Camaro. I have to think that mounting anything to the frame would become a real b*tch, lots of things run through or are bolted to the frame rails.

I remember when these trucks were newer and seeing them at "stock" 4wd truck pulls. Everyone would comment about how you could see the gap between the cab and box grow larger at the top when they were hooked up good and winding tight. The F*rds didn't flex near as much, but didn't really matter since the Chevys almost always were 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Guess what I'm trying to say is that unless you have specific reason, it just seems like a lot of extra work to me.