Can a burnt frame be reused? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

D13 · 10-08-2016, 12:21 PM

I tried search but really didn't find what I was looking for.
I have decided to build a truck 'my way'. One of the components of this is 4wd. I have or can easily get access to everything I need except a frame, cross members, and front suspension hangers. All of my 2wd frames are 1/2 ton and as I researched the bending moments indicate that the 4wd frames are stiffer and seem to be the same 1/2 to 3/4. Which leads me to my question.
Very local there is a 1/2 ton 4wd that went through a fire

, bad enough that there is no paint on the cab or bed sides, no interior, etc. However it is complete, and since I would be totally redoing the frame on whatever I bought, removing the toasty body is not an issue.
Can I use this frame for my build?

bbbc10 · 10-08-2016, 01:05 PM

I wouldnt

RandyP · 10-08-2016, 03:49 PM

If it was from a total burn, it is warped. Even just an engine bay fire will usually result in enough fatigue in the frame it gets some sort of damage/warping.

Gmc.guy · 10-09-2016, 12:06 AM

I think it might be ok. But the bad end of might wouldn't show up unless it failed, I likely wouldn't use it, I don't think you could really test it. A from scratch build would be worth waiting for a nice frame

67swb72klb · 10-09-2016, 12:13 AM

Pics would help depends on how hot it got

Dead Parrot · 10-09-2016, 10:20 AM

The question you need answered is did the frame get hot enough that when it cooled, the metal's properties were changed. Frames need to flex many times without cracking. Heat and cool metal wrong and it becomes hard and brittle. Not what you want for a frame.

Was the fire in the cab or was the whole truck in a structure that burned? A simple cab fire could well have left the frame undamaged since the cab floor would shield the frame from the worst of the heat. If the whole truck baked in a garage fire, the frame is likely toast. An engine fire that spread probably cooked the front of the frame to the don't trust point.

andrewmp6 · 10-10-2016, 02:19 AM

Just depends how hot the fire got,But its kinda a gamble and not one i would make myself.

daddyjeep · 10-10-2016, 12:22 PM

I would think Dead Parrot would get the prize for the best answer. My concern is the same, did the frame get hot enough to become brittle. That question itself would lead me to find another frame, regardless of the answer.

10-08-2016, 12:21 PM	#1
D13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Memphis MI Posts: 1,851	Can a burnt frame be reused? I tried search but really didn't find what I was looking for. I have decided to build a truck 'my way'. One of the components of this is 4wd. I have or can easily get access to everything I need except a frame, cross members, and front suspension hangers. All of my 2wd frames are 1/2 ton and as I researched the bending moments indicate that the 4wd frames are stiffer and seem to be the same 1/2 to 3/4. Which leads me to my question. Very local there is a 1/2 ton 4wd that went through a fire, bad enough that there is no paint on the cab or bed sides, no interior, etc. However it is complete, and since I would be totally redoing the frame on whatever I bought, removing the toasty body is not an issue. Can I use this frame for my build? __________________ 1987 2 ton 1982 250/TH350 beater in progress Dad's 1981 3/4 L6 3 on tree posi and no options, awaiting restoration or scrapping Plus a mess o' tractors

10-08-2016, 01:05 PM	#2
bbbc10 Diggin The SquareLife Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: garland,tx Posts: 1,933	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? I wouldnt

10-08-2016, 03:49 PM	#3
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? If it was from a total burn, it is warped. Even just an engine bay fire will usually result in enough fatigue in the frame it gets some sort of damage/warping. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-09-2016, 12:06 AM	#4
Gmc.guy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 464	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? I think it might be ok. But the bad end of might wouldn't show up unless it failed, I likely wouldn't use it, I don't think you could really test it. A from scratch build would be worth waiting for a nice frame __________________ -Cody

10-09-2016, 12:13 AM	#5
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,471	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? Pics would help depends on how hot it got __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

10-09-2016, 10:20 AM	#6
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,620	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? The question you need answered is did the frame get hot enough that when it cooled, the metal's properties were changed. Frames need to flex many times without cracking. Heat and cool metal wrong and it becomes hard and brittle. Not what you want for a frame. Was the fire in the cab or was the whole truck in a structure that burned? A simple cab fire could well have left the frame undamaged since the cab floor would shield the frame from the worst of the heat. If the whole truck baked in a garage fire, the frame is likely toast. An engine fire that spread probably cooked the front of the frame to the don't trust point.

10-10-2016, 02:19 AM	#7
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? Just depends how hot the fire got,But its kinda a gamble and not one i would make myself.

10-10-2016, 12:22 PM	#8
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: Can a burnt frame be reused? I would think Dead Parrot would get the prize for the best answer. My concern is the same, did the frame get hot enough to become brittle. That question itself would lead me to find another frame, regardless of the answer. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514



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