4x4 cracked frame ???'s

[mkmiller1]

How do you fix the crack in the frame!!!

I looked at the '70 swb K-10 350/465/205(I'm planning to purchase) a little closer today and notice that it has "the" cracked frame thing going on in front of the steering box. It is cracked across the bottom and about 1 1/2" up the side of the frame. This being the major flaw what would be the best remedy for fixing it? I've got a couple of box braces that I've saved for future projects I could put on it.
Pretty neat truck, it even has the cab roof lights factory(hockey pucks) and the sought after tow hook option; missing of course but I'm contacting previous owners. Btw, it is a short step with wood bed and comes with a lwb parts truck.

Please let me know your opinions of fixing the crack in the frame.
thanks,
Matthew

[Huck]

Mat, the alloy used for our frames is not real difficult to deal with. I would weld up the cracks making sure they are exactly on. then I would reinforce them with plate and/or box it in. It will probably last another 30 years with no problem.
Funny this was a common problem on chev's going back to the 58 Chev Impala. Mine had stress cracks where the box bolted onto the frame--talk about front end wabble!!!!

[Custom 68]

I looked at one that sounds alot the same but it was a 72 I believe. it was also cracked infront and behind the steering box these 2 locations had been welded (poorly) I got away from that one. It was pretty high for what it was.
I agree with Huck they can be fixed and many have done it.
good luck

[mkmiller1]

Thanks for the info. I figured you could just weld and brace but wondered if I should try anything else. I'm not too worried as the guy only wants $650 for them and I'm pretty sure I can get him down to $500 so if all else fails I can part it out!
thanks again,
Matthew

[MAC67]

mat , just a few quick pointers here when repairing the frame , ive done this numerous times and a few good hints to remember ,if youre cracks are not clear around completley separating the frame , take a small drill bit and trace down the cracks and at the end of them drill a small hole at each end of the cack , be sure to touch the end of the crack with the hole you drill , this stops it dead in its tracks with no place to go,then take a grinder and grind a V groove in the crack to ensur good penetration , weld the groove shut then grind smooth , when i plated it i would use nothing smaller than 1/4 inch , "DO NOT WELD VERTICALLY " this will only create a new weak spot for the frame to crack , cut horizontle angle edges on youre plate and weld them horizontally , also it is nice to add a few 1/2 or 3/4 inch holes through the plate that line up on both sides of the crack , then plug weld thos holes shut once you have the plate tackeds in place , ,, best advice i can give ya , she wont go any where if you follow those steps , the truck will fall into a heap and that piece will still be solid as a rock

[1969 GMC]

'70 swb K/10 step for $650 with a parts truck? damn, i wish i could find smokin deals like that sometimes. oh and btw, my truck sounds similar...cab lights and missing tow hooks (no frame crack, tho). why, oh why, do these ppl take the hooks off? oh well. i hope you get it.

[mkmiller1]

MAC 67-thanks for the details, it will help tremendously!!!

1969 GMC-I've got the names of 3 of the previous owners and have been able to only contact the last so far. It has a winch bumper on it and I figure the hooks got taken off when it was put on so maybe the fella just threw the hooks on a shelf in his garage(LOL, YEAH RIGHT) but it's worth a shot.

Matthew

I'll post some pics of it when I go get it.

[ZOOMY]

You have a PM.......Thanks........Zoomy

[47Firetruck]

So are the hooks that hard to come by?? I've got them on my 69 4x4 GMC. The do come in handy.

[MAC67]

ha ha ha ha,, hey 47 , if they are the originals , , weigh them ,, then take that weight and see what half that amount of gold would be , then you have what youre towhooks are worth ,, ha ha ha

[elk hunter]

if you are not worried about a perfect restoration, go to your local off road shop and ask them about a repair plate for this problem. you still need to weld up the existing cracks as described above but a little extra steel never hurt anyone right?

[ckhd]

See if you can get ahold of Jerry Moss. He has some experience in this area and can give you lots of good info.

[HuggerCST]

Congrats Mathew! You didn't tell me that you were buying one too! You've got that Sanford & Son syndrome almost as bad as me, LOL!

[mkmiller1]

I kinda figured Jerry might reply, but I'll drop him an email.

HuggerCST-My only problem is my wife doesn't know about this one yet! LOL I'm thinking if I just drag it in when she's gone she'll never notice it!

Matthew

[67Fleetsidedream]

Following the crack and drilling a hole is only for cast materials (cast iron). Just weld it up and be done with it. Some like to make a science out of the smallest things.

[elk hunter]

yup and there is always time to do it right the second time!!!