Frame straightening

[jonesky2]

so my frame is bent on my original shortbed 72' k10. Im not having much luck finding another original frame. I took it to one body shop and they said its bent 1" in the diamond in the front and the right frame horn sits lower then the left. They said its not worth fixing.

I would like to get another opinion, they didnt actually have the specs for my year of truck... So can ANYONE recommened a reliable place that will straighten just the frame itself here in Utah or close to Utah? I just want it done and I want it done right! Ive called around and people either want the whole truck to be there with them, or there frame rack is to small, or they dont have specs for a truck that is this old.

I NEED HELP!

[57taskforce]

Genes frame and alignment Farmington NM. we use them at work for suspension related stuff but they will tackle it all. I see your north of salt lake so it's a drive for sure.

[leftybass209]

Of course it's worth straightening! I can't help you on a place to straighten it, but keep in mind once straightened, anything that got tweaked with it will then be crooked and need alignment.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by jonesky2

so my frame is bent on my original shortbed 72' k10. Im not having much luck finding another original frame. I took it to one body shop and they said its bent 1" in the diamond in the front and the right frame horn sits lower then the left. They said its not worth fixing.

I would like to get another opinion, they didnt actually have the specs for my year of truck... So can ANYONE recommened a reliable place that will straighten just the frame itself here in Utah or close to Utah? I just want it done and I want it done right! Ive called around and people either want the whole truck to be there with them, or there frame rack is to small, or they dont have specs for a truck that is this old.

I NEED HELP!

Any good Body Shop/Collision Center with a Frame Straightening Machine/ Table should know how to use it, here's what matters with what I just said *** They have to know how to use it*** A smart Body Man or one with more than 35-40 years experience knows how to do it. It some times is that most only work on modern cars/trucks and don't have a clue on how to set it up for pulls. Most Shops will do the easy things like remove & replace. I come from a Collision Shop so I know these things. I hope you find a shop that does what you need done.

[KY_GMC]

I just went through this with my project. I have been driving around to body shops for the past year trying to get the frame straightened on my C15 and they either knew someone else who could do it, or they said to bring it back with the body off, or their rack couldn't pull it. Bottom line, no one wanted to touch it or they were too busy with insurance work.

Then I found a straight frame on craigslist and picked it up for $150. Same year and model as my existing frame. Came with a 12 bolt rear end that I will be able to sell off and make some money on this endeavor. Just painted it last weekend and will start the transfer this weekend. My wife just rolled her eyes when I told her what I was going to do!

I know it is not what you want to hear, but your best bet is to locate another frame and do a swap. You will make out in the long run. I was getting quotes in the $500 - $1000 range, but they were not firm.

[CUSTOM/10]

There's a BIG difference between finding a 2wd lwb frame and finding a swb 4x4 frame, both in the number of them available & the cost.

It doesn't sound like your frame is all that bad, I'd keep looking for the right shop, even if it's a bit of a ride, and get it straightened. This way you also keep the trucks originality & the vin #'s match.

Just My 2 cents !

Gary

[CUSTOM/10]

Check out this thread !

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281235

[7dee2]

jonesky2, I was impressed with these guys. http://www.bountifulcollision.com/

They straightened the front of our longhorn frame last year and were very reasonable. I did supply them with the following dimensions from the 1972 Chevrolet Truck Chassis Service Manual 10-30 Series. Pretty sure your specs are the KA105 line.

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by jonesky2

so my frame is bent on my original shortbed 72' k10. Im not having much luck finding another original frame. I took it to one body shop and they said its bent 1" in the diamond in the front and the right frame horn sits lower then the left. They said its not worth fixing.

I would like to get another opinion, they didnt actually have the specs for my year of truck... So can ANYONE recommened a reliable place that will straighten just the frame itself here in Utah or close to Utah? I just want it done and I want it done right! Ive called around and people either want the whole truck to be there with them, or there frame rack is to small, or they dont have specs for a truck that is this old.

I NEED HELP!

Originally Posted by KY_GMC

I just went through this with my project. I have been driving around to body shops for the past year trying to get the frame straightened on my C15 and they either knew someone else who could do it, or they said to bring it back with the body off, or their rack couldn't pull it. Bottom line, no one wanted to touch it or they were too busy with insurance work.

What they're telling you is they don't want to mess with it. Anybody that knows what they're doing can diagnose a diamond with a piece of string measuring corner to corner.

If they have a Chief E-Z Liner or similar that's an easy fix.

Good luck.

[Grumpy old man]

It takes longer to set it up and chain it down on a frame table than it takes to fix it , like previously stated you have to find a shop that actually knows how to use a frame machine , many times you'll see a frame machine sitting in a body shop covered in dust and rarely used . Years ago I had to have one in the shop to qualify for insurance work . In today's world they total the bent trucks . Try the oldest body shops in town first . New body men of today don't even know what a portapower is .

[dozerbill72]

Guys that know how to and more importantly willing to straighten frames are a dieing breed. Alot can be done with a come along and a jack if you have some thing to tie the frame down to. Heavy equipment trailers work great cause they have lots of tie points and are WAY stronger than a pickup frame.If you try the job yourself just remember you have to straighten first and pull the diamond out last. A little push, pull, beating,and lot of double checking with the tape measure you can get there. Fortunately the dimensions for these trucks are easy to find. Good luck.