Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Xeen]

Yeesh so it's still has a diamond shape after two shops measured it and swore it was right on the money, nice.
I guess 3/4" passes for on the money these days and here we thought the 1/8" that GM let slide was bad.
So one side needs to be pulled forward to take the diamond out of it, ok sounds simple enough, now where did I put that tractor and log chain, lets show them what an imprecise pull looks like, I mean hell if you are going to do it do it right!
Seriously though you have a lot more perseverance than I do, I'm pretty sure I would have junked the frame by now.

[knomadd]

Thinking out loud here...
I'm sure you've already checked this, but does your overall length match on both sides of the frame, and width of rear and front? What about the rear of the frame rails to the bed mounts where you've measured the diamond? If all of those are equal, it sounds like you might have some binding/bent cross members pushing the frame to unequal positions (one rail further forward than the other), causing the tweaked diamond shape.

It might be good to pull the cross members out and fix your rails, then put the cross members back in with bolts. I seem to remember hearing the rivets aren't exactly tight in there anyway, so cutting the old frame may have allowed the back half to relax, giving you the skewed measurements.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by knomadd

Thinking out loud here...
I'm sure you've already checked this, but does your overall length match on both sides of the frame, and width of rear and front? What about the rear of the frame rails to the bed mounts where you've measured the diamond? If all of those are equal, it sounds like you might have some binding/bent cross members pushing the frame to unequal positions (one rail further forward than the other), causing the tweaked diamond shape.

It might be good to pull the cross members out and fix your rails, then put the cross members back in with bolts. I seem to remember hearing the rivets aren't exactly tight in there anyway, so cutting the old frame may have allowed the back half to relax, giving you the skewed measurements.

You know, that's a really good idea, Duane. The factory measurements out of the chassis manual agree perfectly with the cuts that I've made. If I removed the x-members and welded the frame rails to the front half, they would be exactly where they need to be. As it sits, something has shoved the left rail forward (or the right rail back) and the x-members are holding it in a diamond shape. You're also right about the rivets not being very tight. When Scott was over the other day, I showed him how flexible the rear half was compared to the front. There's only a couple of x-members left that are riveted anyway, so what's a few more cycles with the cutting wheel and air chisel?

We'll give it a shot and see what happens... what the heck, Columbus took a chance!

[Low Elco]

I like it- kinda float the whole thing till you get it where you want it, then lay a bead on the crossmembers so they don't walk.

[7dee2]

Your on the right track now by just making it work, you can do it Vic!

[Hogshooter]

If you put a come a long diagonally across the long side and pull it shorter that will take out the diamond in that section. I wouldn't think the height would get messed up, and if it didn't work you could always proceed with cutting out crossmembers. I do find it weird that the frame shops had such a tough time with this job, I have several years experience using frame equipment on truck frames though.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Hogshooter

If you put a come a long diagonally across the long side and pull it shorter that will take out the diamond in that section. I wouldn't think the height would get messed up, and if it didn't work you could always proceed with cutting out crossmembers. I do find it weird that the frame shops had such a tough time with this job, I have several years experience using frame equipment on truck frames though.

Way past that now!

Here's a shot from last Friday before we headed out of town for a three day weekend. As you can see, all the rear x-members are out and the rails are mocked up getting ready for final measurements and welding. Just got home, so will be back at it tomorrow.

[sduckworth13]

That's awesome news Vic! Glad you got it worked out.
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[swamp rat]

Glad your getting it done! Man i haven't done vertical welding in such a lone time, not sure if i could have succeed.

[snipescastle2]

Vic,
Glad you have some progress going on. Not much going on here, let me know if I may be of service!
Ben

[jeh]

I knew you would get it right on the money Vic, you'll be laying black marks with that Ls before you know it!!!!

[Vic1947]

Eagle Stripping called yesterday afternoon and said my parts were ready. Luckily, we had a dry morning today so I was able to pick them up without having to dodge any rainstorms. They look great and all I need to do now is some welding and hole drilling before they go to the powder coater.

My trailer situation came to a head this week. Got a letter from the HOA saying I had five days to move it. So my brother will haul it back with him tomorrow and we'll have to figure out the best way to get my parts to Sedalia when the time comes. Maybe have to shuttle the trailer back and forth a couple more times. I can't complain, I guess. We really haven't had (or needed) a HOA in our subdivision since we first moved in. Our original builder went belly up and the new builders never got the residents on the HOA dues gravy train. Not sure who's funding the current monitoring agency, but I reckon that shoe will drop in due time. Anyway, enough of that. I'm just happy I can now move forward again.

[jeh]

It's good to see you moving forward now Vic, should be a "fun" truck when you get it finished!!!!

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Eagle Stripping called yesterday afternoon and said my parts were ready. Luckily, we had a dry morning today so I was able to pick them up without having to dodge any rainstorms. They look great and all I need to do now is some welding and hole drilling before they go to the powder coater.

My trailer situation came to a head this week. Got a letter from the HOA saying I had five days to move it. So my brother will haul it back with him tomorrow and we'll have to figure out the best way to get my parts to Sedalia when the time comes. Maybe have to shuttle the trailer back and forth a couple more times. I can't complain, I guess. We really haven't had (or needed) a HOA in our subdivision since we first moved in. Our original builder went belly up and the new builders never got the residents on the HOA dues gravy train. Not sure who's funding the current monitoring agency, but I reckon that shoe will drop in due time. Anyway, enough of that. I'm just happy I can now move forward again.

Man HOA's have their place but sometimes they just piss you off being rediculous... Glad to see you are rolling through...

I hope your Dad continues to improve...

[Low Elco]

Congrats Vic! Should I be at your house Saturday with the trailer?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Congrats Vic! Should I be at your house Saturday with the trailer?

Wish I could say yes, Chip, but not likely. My Dad took a couple of nasty falls this week and broke his left wrist the second time. We've been in and out of Urgent Care and the ER at Liberty Hospital and have appointments the rest of this week for follow-ups. We may not even be able to attend this year. Will keep you posted. Current status is that all the welding is complete, but no grinding as yet...

[snipescastle2]

Chip, when is the Nats? Coming up soon I'm guessing.
Ben

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

Chip, when is the Nats? Coming up soon I'm guessing.
Ben

It's this Saturday! Yaaay! Hope to see a certain beautiful black truck there!

http://www.alltrucknats.com/

our guys-

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=710064

As they said in the 70's- BE THERE!

[Vic1947]

Went out to the Midwest All Truck Nationals this morning... what a beautiful day for it!!! We've had some rain recently, so the ground was a bit soft, but the Chevy/GMC club folks are no dummies and had a plan to minimize the damage by judging all the trucks in place instead of queuing them up in lines like they usually do. Saw several of my forum buds but had to leave early to help at home with Dad. All in all, though, even if only for a couple of hours, it's the best show I go to all year.

I've started grinding the welds on the frame rails and have the driver side finished. When I get the passenger side done, I'll fabricate the reinforcing plates and drill all the holes before sending all the parts out for sandblasting. I'm on the clock a little bit. I'm scheduled to have the pterygium removed from my right eye on the 20th. Finally found an eye doctor with lots of experience that can fix me. Since it covers about 60% of my eye on that side, he'll do an amniotic membrane transplant to cover the area and use a chemotherapy drug to help prevent me ever getting it again. Once I've healed, he'll do the left eye. I'd like to have the frame at the powder coater while I'm recovering since I probably won't be doing much in the shop during that time.

[tune_1]

Vic, Hate to hear of the problems that your Dad is having. Hope he is better soon. Glad to see that you are making progress and see a end to the frame troubles. Looking good.

Dwight

[snipescastle2]

Vic, sorry to hear about your father. Hope he heals soon.
Take care!
Ben

[Elliot949]

Hope your Dad improves quickly... great news on the truck...

[swamp rat]

Sorry to hear about your dad Vic.

[Low Elco]

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad, Vic. Anything you need, let us know.

[Xeen]

I'm happy to hear your dad is doing better.
Your welding skills never cease to amaze me, I can't even tell it was welded.
I bet you are feeling a lot better about the project now that you have the frame situation under control and you can breath a sigh of relief and move forward.
I know you don't need to be told you are doing a good job because you already know you are but I'm gonna say it anyway, good job!
Good luck with the surgery, we need those eyes nice and sharp so you can keep doing beautiful work and inspiring us.