any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Clavo106 · 03-16-2016, 10:51 PM

Well i got the hole frame stripped down so I can blast and trying to take out the trans x member.. and I have a kink that the p.o. have used a jack on c channel lip where it drops off rear of Trans x member ..i belive he Jack it obviously in the wrong place and just bent up the lip on one the c channel one side where it drops. off.I Would like to straight thing out the best way possible with out any damage.. was think cut the bottom lip area out in a square and welding in a new piece or doing three relive cut in the frame bent area. And bending back flush.. also a have o/a tanks but don't like to use that 4 any frame work..any suggestions with this topic?

**GruntMoanCough** · 03-17-2016, 12:13 AM

Should be able to straighten it out. A pic or two would be helpful.

**Grumpy old man** · 03-17-2016, 07:00 AM

A little heat and the largest Cresent wrench you have should bring it back to where your happy with it without cutting anything .

BossHogg69 · 03-17-2016, 09:04 AM

x2 on the crescent wrench, if it's big enough you shouldn't even need any heat. It's what I used to fix similar issues on my frame.

Bagd72Chevy · 03-17-2016, 11:01 AM

^ These dudes got it right. I have a 4' long crescent wrench just for straightening frames. Just the weight of it will do the trick sometimes with a little heat in the right spot.

burnin oil · 03-17-2016, 11:35 AM

Great advice on straightening. Be careful on the heat. It can change the metal a little and cause a weak spot. You see this come up a lot when people want to cut, weld, or extend a frame. Done properly it is not a problem. Excessive heating is definatly a problem. Use what is needed and no more and you should be happy with the outcome.

**Grumpy old man** · 03-17-2016, 11:43 AM

I get a little crazy about how the frame looks . To me it's just as important as a fender /door . What drives me nuts is watching someone bolt thousands of dollars of brand new suspension to a rusty/greasy/bent frame ??? End of rant

davepl · 03-17-2016, 11:50 AM

Most frames are pulled cold. I don't know, but I wonder how much heating up the metal changes the annealing or hardness. It's mostly a curiosity unless its around a mount point, but at a mount might heat change the metal properties?

Bagd72Chevy · 03-17-2016, 12:12 PM

Im not sure if C10 frames were heat treated from the factory. Probably not. They were most likely cold worked with tightens the grains up making them a bit harder and stronger than hot worked steel. Problem with this is if you put excessive heat into the rail the molecules will spread and you will get a hicky/lump where you heated it. Dont let the frame become more than a soft orange between the wheels, thats where you need the most strength. At the ends around bumper mounts and such heat as necessary to get it straight. You could also quench if you need to shrink it some but be careful as you can make it too hard and make it prone to cracking.

With the way these frames were made with all the rivets they are pretty fluid and I wouldn't be too concerned with put a little heat on it but dont get crazy.

BossHogg69 · 03-17-2016, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I get a little crazy about how the frame looks . To me it's just as important as a fender /door . What drives me nuts is watching someone bolt thousands of dollars of brand new suspension to a rusty/greasy/bent frame ??? End of rant

I'm the same way

davepl · 03-17-2016, 02:21 PM

That's one rigid looking frame! Nice.

burnin oil · 03-17-2016, 03:16 PM

That is purty. Don't look at mine though. She is a daily driver and part time work truck this rebuild. Maybe in a few years the undercarriage will get some love but until then you can still see where the fire department welded a full cage to the frame. I cut it off as close as the sawzall would get and called it good. I still have people tell me how good it looks and have someone try and buy it at least once a month. I guess being a 4x4 people expect it to not look brand new.

Clavo106 · 03-17-2016, 06:15 PM

Thanks it worked! Nice little trick to know..

**Grumpy old man** · 03-17-2016, 07:36 PM

Thank you , Thank you very much, We'll all be here all week !

Clavo106 · 03-17-2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

A little heat and the largest Cresent wrench you have should bring it back to where your happy with it without cutting anything .

Yes thanks.

Thanks to all ur guys input!!! ...

03-16-2016, 10:51 PM	#1
Clavo106 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Yakima, WA Posts: 362	any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Well i got the hole frame stripped down so I can blast and trying to take out the trans x member.. and I have a kink that the p.o. have used a jack on c channel lip where it drops off rear of Trans x member ..i belive he Jack it obviously in the wrong place and just bent up the lip on one the c channel one side where it drops. off.I Would like to straight thing out the best way possible with out any damage.. was think cut the bottom lip area out in a square and welding in a new piece or doing three relive cut in the frame bent area. And bending back flush.. also a have o/a tanks but don't like to use that 4 any frame work..any suggestions with this topic?

03-17-2016, 12:13 AM	#2
GruntMoanCough Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pemberton, BC Posts: 1,075	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Should be able to straighten it out. A pic or two would be helpful. __________________ My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am - Unknown

03-17-2016, 07:00 AM	#3
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. A little heat and the largest Cresent wrench you have should bring it back to where your happy with it without cutting anything . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

03-17-2016, 09:04 AM	#4
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. x2 on the crescent wrench, if it's big enough you shouldn't even need any heat. It's what I used to fix similar issues on my frame. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

03-17-2016, 11:01 AM	#5
Bagd72Chevy C10 Collector Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 417	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. ^ These dudes got it right. I have a 4' long crescent wrench just for straightening frames. Just the weight of it will do the trick sometimes with a little heat in the right spot. __________________ ///Ryan 1972 Chevy C-10-Bagged, Blown LT1, 700r4, Suicide Doors 1967 GMC- SC & Cam'd 4.8, built 4l80, 3200 stall, posi, 4.10 1967 Chevy LWB- 454 and patina 1971 Blazer - Rusty 1968 Crewcab project

03-17-2016, 11:35 AM	#6
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,921	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Great advice on straightening. Be careful on the heat. It can change the metal a little and cause a weak spot. You see this come up a lot when people want to cut, weld, or extend a frame. Done properly it is not a problem. Excessive heating is definatly a problem. Use what is needed and no more and you should be happy with the outcome.

03-17-2016, 11:43 AM	#7
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. I get a little crazy about how the frame looks . To me it's just as important as a fender /door . What drives me nuts is watching someone bolt thousands of dollars of brand new suspension to a rusty/greasy/bent frame ??? End of rant __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

03-17-2016, 11:50 AM	#8
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Most frames are pulled cold. I don't know, but I wonder how much heating up the metal changes the annealing or hardness. It's mostly a curiosity unless its around a mount point, but at a mount might heat change the metal properties? __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

03-17-2016, 12:12 PM	#9
Bagd72Chevy C10 Collector Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 417	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Im not sure if C10 frames were heat treated from the factory. Probably not. They were most likely cold worked with tightens the grains up making them a bit harder and stronger than hot worked steel. Problem with this is if you put excessive heat into the rail the molecules will spread and you will get a hicky/lump where you heated it. Dont let the frame become more than a soft orange between the wheels, thats where you need the most strength. At the ends around bumper mounts and such heat as necessary to get it straight. You could also quench if you need to shrink it some but be careful as you can make it too hard and make it prone to cracking. With the way these frames were made with all the rivets they are pretty fluid and I wouldn't be too concerned with put a little heat on it but dont get crazy. __________________ ///Ryan 1972 Chevy C-10-Bagged, Blown LT1, 700r4, Suicide Doors 1967 GMC- SC & Cam'd 4.8, built 4l80, 3200 stall, posi, 4.10 1967 Chevy LWB- 454 and patina 1971 Blazer - Rusty 1968 Crewcab project

03-17-2016, 02:21 PM	#11
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. That's one rigid looking frame! Nice. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

03-17-2016, 03:16 PM	#12
burnin oil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 1,921	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. That is purty. Don't look at mine though. She is a daily driver and part time work truck this rebuild. Maybe in a few years the undercarriage will get some love but until then you can still see where the fire department welded a full cage to the frame. I cut it off as close as the sawzall would get and called it good. I still have people tell me how good it looks and have someone try and buy it at least once a month. I guess being a 4x4 people expect it to not look brand new.

03-17-2016, 06:15 PM	#13
Clavo106 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Yakima, WA Posts: 362	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Thanks it worked! Nice little trick to know..

03-17-2016, 07:36 PM	#14
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: any one repair kinks and dings on frame. to straight it out?. Thank you , Thank you very much, We'll all be here all week ! __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop



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