Steering Brace - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**breeh** · 06-27-2003, 12:50 AM

Anyone done one in 67-72? I was watching my frame today while someone turned the wheel and there was whole lot of flexin' goin' on. I would like to firm things up before the dreaded frame crack. I see there are kits for 73-87 but I cannot find anything for 67-72.

darksaga · 06-27-2003, 01:41 AM

I have the same problem

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-27-2003, 05:19 AM

I heard that the 73 and up would work but you have to modify it first.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 06-27-2003, 07:58 AM

Some of the 71-72 Blazers and I believe some of the 71-72 trucks were equipped with reenforcing steel sections where the steering box mounts up. You might consider looking for one of those. The reenforcements are welded and riveted in place so they are are a bear to remove if you find an old frame with one on it. Try posting on the parts section with a wtb.

Jim

6869704X4 · 06-27-2003, 10:32 AM

darksaga, Got some pics of the brace. At work now wil put them up when I get home.

darksaga · 06-27-2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 6869704X4
darksaga, Got some pics of the brace. At work now wil put them up when I get home.

thanks

**Yukon Jack** · 06-27-2003, 11:44 AM

I'm not sure if Offroad Design's brace will work on our years. You might check over at ColoradoK5 in the 69-72 section as I bet someone there will know on the ORD brace.

**breeh** · 06-27-2003, 12:52 PM

JimKshortstep4x4, I did purchase one of the reinforcement plates that you are talking about from a boardmember. However, I am not sure that that will take care of the flexing issue. I think some sort of gusseting is in order.

6869704X4, I am looking forward to seeing those pics as well.

Yukon Jack, I was thinking about checking the CK5 site as well. Have you seen anything similiar posted there before?

darksaga · 06-27-2003, 01:11 PM

this is the post I had about almost the same problem

http://64.246.42.114/vboard/showthre...threadid=55994

6869704X4 · 06-27-2003, 06:49 PM

breeh, pics are on the link darksaga put up.

**breeh** · 06-27-2003, 07:09 PM

Thanks for the link. I am familiar with the reinforcement plate. I am thinking more along the lines of gusseting the area though. Jerry Moss, if you are following this thread, what are your feelings on gusseting somehow? In the other thread it sounded like you felt that this would just cause cracking in other areas (fore and aft of the gusset).

**jerry moss** · 06-28-2003, 11:10 AM

the factory steering box support actually ties into the front crossmember under the radiator so it spreads the load to both framerails.
i'm not sure extra gussets would do any more than the factory brace does. the frame is made to flex quite a bit and if you stiffen it too much in any one area, you remove the ability of the frame to flex in that spot.
there's a welding shop here in town that does frame shortening with no plates, they cut a "Z" section out of the frame and weld it back together. their own service truck is a late model F-350, diesel, 4x4 that they cut down the day they took delivery of it from the dealership. it's used everyday out in some rough terrain, loaded with supplies and towing a big welding trailer. these same guys build jeeps for the rubicon and other 4x4 events where twisting the frame is common so they know their business. years ago when i was into jeeps and didn't know any better, i'd plate the cracked areas and sure as heck it would break on one side or the other of the plate. the last jeep i built, i boxed both frame rails from front to back. it never broke while i had it but it didn't flex at all, had to use some modified springs to get some twist.

6869704X4 · 06-28-2003, 01:25 PM

Here's a story that relates.
In the early 80s we started finding cracks in the outer wings of our C-130s. The solution was new outer wings with additional stiffeners to make them stronger. Guess what? Several years later we started finding cracks in the center wings.
So, just like truck frames, make one area stronger and you find a weaker one.

**breeh** · 06-29-2003, 12:34 PM

Thanks Jerry, that was very helpful. I guess I will start taking that thing apart so that I can get that factory reinforcement plate installed. Then I will just watch and see what happens.

06-27-2003, 12:50 AM	#1
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Steering Brace Anyone done one in 67-72? I was watching my frame today while someone turned the wheel and there was whole lot of flexin' goin' on. I would like to firm things up before the dreaded frame crack. I see there are kits for 73-87 but I cannot find anything for 67-72. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

06-27-2003, 01:41 AM	#2
darksaga Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: santa cruz cali Posts: 118	I have the same problem __________________ 1968 gmc 3/4 4x4 longbed. built 469 700r4 (needs a th400 REAL SOON!), 14bolt ff rear 73 3/4 dana 44 1970 chevelle all wheel disc, tubular rear control arms tall spindle swap up front matching #'s 350 work in Progress

06-27-2003, 05:19 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I heard that the 73 and up would work but you have to modify it first. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

06-27-2003, 10:32 AM	#5
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	darksaga, Got some pics of the brace. At work now wil put them up when I get home. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

06-27-2003, 11:44 AM	#7
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	I'm not sure if Offroad Design's brace will work on our years. You might check over at ColoradoK5 in the 69-72 section as I bet someone there will know on the ORD brace. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

06-27-2003, 07:58 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Some of the 71-72 Blazers and I believe some of the 71-72 trucks were equipped with reenforcing steel sections where the steering box mounts up. You might consider looking for one of those. The reenforcements are welded and riveted in place so they are are a bear to remove if you find an old frame with one on it. Try posting on the parts section with a wtb. Jim

06-27-2003, 12:52 PM	#8
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	JimKshortstep4x4, I did purchase one of the reinforcement plates that you are talking about from a boardmember. However, I am not sure that that will take care of the flexing issue. I think some sort of gusseting is in order. 6869704X4, I am looking forward to seeing those pics as well. Yukon Jack, I was thinking about checking the CK5 site as well. Have you seen anything similiar posted there before? __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

06-27-2003, 01:11 PM	#9
darksaga Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: santa cruz cali Posts: 118	this is the post I had about almost the same problem http://64.246.42.114/vboard/showthre...threadid=55994 __________________ 1968 gmc 3/4 4x4 longbed. built 469 700r4 (needs a th400 REAL SOON!), 14bolt ff rear 73 3/4 dana 44 1970 chevelle all wheel disc, tubular rear control arms tall spindle swap up front matching #'s 350 work in Progress

06-27-2003, 06:49 PM	#10
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	breeh, pics are on the link darksaga put up. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

06-27-2003, 07:09 PM	#11
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Thanks for the link. I am familiar with the reinforcement plate. I am thinking more along the lines of gusseting the area though. Jerry Moss, if you are following this thread, what are your feelings on gusseting somehow? In the other thread it sounded like you felt that this would just cause cracking in other areas (fore and aft of the gusset). __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

06-28-2003, 11:10 AM	#12
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,776	the factory steering box support actually ties into the front crossmember under the radiator so it spreads the load to both framerails. i'm not sure extra gussets would do any more than the factory brace does. the frame is made to flex quite a bit and if you stiffen it too much in any one area, you remove the ability of the frame to flex in that spot. there's a welding shop here in town that does frame shortening with no plates, they cut a "Z" section out of the frame and weld it back together. their own service truck is a late model F-350, diesel, 4x4 that they cut down the day they took delivery of it from the dealership. it's used everyday out in some rough terrain, loaded with supplies and towing a big welding trailer. these same guys build jeeps for the rubicon and other 4x4 events where twisting the frame is common so they know their business. years ago when i was into jeeps and didn't know any better, i'd plate the cracked areas and sure as heck it would break on one side or the other of the plate. the last jeep i built, i boxed both frame rails from front to back. it never broke while i had it but it didn't flex at all, had to use some modified springs to get some twist. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

06-28-2003, 01:25 PM	#13
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Here's a story that relates. In the early 80s we started finding cracks in the outer wings of our C-130s. The solution was new outer wings with additional stiffeners to make them stronger. Guess what? Several years later we started finding cracks in the center wings. So, just like truck frames, make one area stronger and you find a weaker one. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

06-29-2003, 12:34 PM	#14
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Thanks Jerry, that was very helpful. I guess I will start taking that thing apart so that I can get that factory reinforcement plate installed. Then I will just watch and see what happens. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"



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