anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cbrown67 · 09-01-2010, 02:01 PM

anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame?
pics if so?

Old Yeller 1970 · 09-01-2010, 02:35 PM

I filled in one. I cut a plate of steel (same thickness as the frame) to fit the hole. Welded it in and ground the welds down with a 4" grinder, then painted it. You can't tell the difference. What's your purpose?

Cbrown67 · 09-01-2010, 03:50 PM

cleaner look i was just toying with the idea i have a lifted truck and it has a 3 inch body lift so you see a good amount of the frame

**Dieselwrencher** · 09-01-2010, 04:51 PM

On my 76 I have filled in some holes and I am planning on putting some plates to hide the open area under the box due to the body lift. We'll see how it goes.

69sixpackbee · 09-01-2010, 04:52 PM

I just fill the holes with weld buildup and grind them flush. Wire-feed MIG works best for this. I can fill big holes without any trouble.

Cbrown67 · 09-01-2010, 04:57 PM

thats what i was going to do mig weld build up just didnt knwo if people did it and they are upset that they did

**Dieselwrencher** · 09-01-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbrown67

thats what i was going to do mig weld build up just didnt knwo if people did it and they are upset that they did

Honestly, I prefer a frame that is clean looking without a bunch of unused holes. The only reason I would be upset, is if I screwed up and filled some holes i actually needed.

Cole Trickle · 09-01-2010, 05:07 PM

I will deffinatley be filling all unused holes when I tear the truck down...

No need to box it in but I don't like un needed holes

gkesseru · 09-01-2010, 06:31 PM

I have always heard that frames are annealed and tempered to be stronger than just plain bent steel. If that's true, then unnecessary welding will weaken the frame, not strengthen. Is this true?

69sixpackbee · 09-01-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkesseru

I have always heard that frames are annealed and tempered to be stronger than just plain bent steel. If that's true, then unnecessary welding will weaken the frame, not strengthen. Is this true?

Don't really think so. I can drill through them no problem. Besides, when you are filling holes you are not concentrating that much heat in a vast area. Just one small hole at a time.

gixxerpymp · 09-01-2010, 06:39 PM

Not worth it if your frame sits on the ground...

Hezie · 09-01-2010, 06:50 PM

Find a metal fab shop and have them punch you some plugs with an iron worker. I used 1/2 and 3/4 drill out the holes to the next larger size and weld in the plugs.I will look for pic's. By the way there are lots of them.

Hezie · 09-01-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Honestly, I prefer a frame that is clean looking without a bunch of unused holes. The only reason I would be upset, is if I screwed up and filled some holes i actually needed.

Yea... I did that
.

Notrodder · 09-01-2010, 07:38 PM

Doing so is sacrificing structural integrity for the sake of appearance. I don't know the composition of these frames, but they are better than mild steel.

When you weld an alloy using mild steel filler (wire feed) the alloying elements migrate to the edge of the weld puddle. The results are a comparatively soft weld with a line of harder metal immediately adjacent to the weld. This point will be the week spot in the frame and will be the area to buckle and/or crack when subject to stresses that the unmolested factory frame may or may not have been able the handle.

This is why the repair inevitably fails when the average dork trys to fix his chromoly-steel motorcycle frame with a wirefeed.

If you really must fill the holes, at least go the mile and find out what kind of metal you are dealing with and do the welding with a heli-arc and the appropriate filler rod.

**Dieselwrencher** · 09-01-2010, 07:38 PM

They say the same thing about semi frames. Guess what, how do they repair them? You heat them with a torch or multiple torches while you have a frame machine maxxed out pulling the frame where it needs to be.

And then those wrecked trucks are returned to service and continue with life.

Notrodder · 09-01-2010, 07:59 PM

^ That is reasonable frame repair, but if someone had done some bad welding on the frame before the accident the truck would not have been worth fixing.

**Dieselwrencher** · 09-01-2010, 09:20 PM

True. Good point. However, I still wouldn't be afraid of filling holes in any of my projects. But that is me.

Cbrown67 · 09-02-2010, 09:25 AM

thanks for your thoguhts guys!

09-01-2010, 02:01 PM	#1
Cbrown67 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MASS Posts: 178	anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? pics if so?

09-01-2010, 02:35 PM	#2
Old Yeller 1970 DON'T TREAD ON ME Join Date: May 2005 Location: Crosby County, TX Posts: 989	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? I filled in one. I cut a plate of steel (same thickness as the frame) to fit the hole. Welded it in and ground the welds down with a 4" grinder, then painted it. You can't tell the difference. What's your purpose? __________________ Old Yeller

09-01-2010, 03:50 PM	#3
Cbrown67 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MASS Posts: 178	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? cleaner look i was just toying with the idea i have a lifted truck and it has a 3 inch body lift so you see a good amount of the frame

09-01-2010, 04:51 PM	#4
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,140	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? On my 76 I have filled in some holes and I am planning on putting some plates to hide the open area under the box due to the body lift. We'll see how it goes. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

09-01-2010, 04:52 PM	#5
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? I just fill the holes with weld buildup and grind them flush. Wire-feed MIG works best for this. I can fill big holes without any trouble.

09-01-2010, 04:57 PM	#6
Cbrown67 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MASS Posts: 178	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? thats what i was going to do mig weld build up just didnt knwo if people did it and they are upset that they did

09-01-2010, 05:07 PM	#8
Cole Trickle C-10 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Corona,CA Posts: 1,001	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? I will deffinatley be filling all unused holes when I tear the truck down... No need to box it in but I don't like un needed holes __________________ 1969 Short Fleet 350/SM465 4.5/6.5 ECE drop 20" Raceline Wheels 1998 2dr Tahoe 5/7 drop 20"/22" Coys-sold Build thread...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=401910

09-01-2010, 06:31 PM	#9
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? I have always heard that frames are annealed and tempered to be stronger than just plain bent steel. If that's true, then unnecessary welding will weaken the frame, not strengthen. Is this true? __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

09-01-2010, 06:39 PM	#11
gixxerpymp Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brandon FL Posts: 258	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? Not worth it if your frame sits on the ground...

09-01-2010, 06:50 PM	#12
Hezie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dahlonega Ga. Posts: 137	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? Find a metal fab shop and have them punch you some plugs with an iron worker. I used 1/2 and 3/4 drill out the holes to the next larger size and weld in the plugs.I will look for pic's. By the way there are lots of them. __________________ Hezie My Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375244

09-01-2010, 07:38 PM	#14
Notrodder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 104	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? Doing so is sacrificing structural integrity for the sake of appearance. I don't know the composition of these frames, but they are better than mild steel. When you weld an alloy using mild steel filler (wire feed) the alloying elements migrate to the edge of the weld puddle. The results are a comparatively soft weld with a line of harder metal immediately adjacent to the weld. This point will be the week spot in the frame and will be the area to buckle and/or crack when subject to stresses that the unmolested factory frame may or may not have been able the handle. This is why the repair inevitably fails when the average dork trys to fix his chromoly-steel motorcycle frame with a wirefeed. If you really must fill the holes, at least go the mile and find out what kind of metal you are dealing with and do the welding with a heli-arc and the appropriate filler rod.

09-01-2010, 07:59 PM	#16
Notrodder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 104	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? ^ That is reasonable frame repair, but if someone had done some bad welding on the frame before the accident the truck would not have been worth fixing.

09-01-2010, 09:20 PM	#17
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,140	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? True. Good point. However, I still wouldn't be afraid of filling holes in any of my projects. But that is me. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.* Last edited by Dieselwrencher; 09-01-2010 at 10:26 PM.

09-02-2010, 09:25 AM	#18
Cbrown67 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MASS Posts: 178	Re: anyone ever fill in all the factory open holes on the frame? thanks for your thoguhts guys!



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