Frame Repair -- NEED HELP!

[bddcustoms]

I have a 1969 LWB C20. Some time ago, before I purchased it, it apparently took a shot just in front of the driver's side front wheel. It's not so much damaged as it is "off". The body panels in that area (driver's side front fender and hood) have seam alignment problems. Even when I replaced the damaged fender, things still didn't line up right. As I've been working with the frame for some unrelated modifications, I'm looking to have the damage from that accident dealt with finally. Thought I'd start here since this is where I get all my other answers.

To the naked eye, the bare frame looks strait and square. In fact it is, except for the very front, from the cross member that sits below the radiator forward. As you can see in the pix, while the rest of the frame is level, in that area, the driver's side (impact side) is about an inch higher than the passenger side, and the frame rails are slightly off-square toward the passenger side (again, impact direction). I've never dealt with this type of repair before, and I don't assume I can (or can't for that matter) deal with it myself. But I like to be educated, even when I work with shops and specialists. So, fellas, what should I know or do about this type of problem?

Thanks.

DT

[sneakysnake]

Might help to know what its supposed to be.

[sneakysnake]

Sorry may can save it and blow it up to read it

[PHAT TONY]

I'm sorry to see the truck striped to a bare frame as the simple method would have been to pull the frt bumper to the left until panel fitment is restored. The frame is relatively week ahead of the front most crossmember and should be an easy repair in any case.

[bddcustoms]

thanks for the help and suggestions; btw the frame is stripped bare for shortening, cleaning, and and powder coating -- needed to get it straight before I got too far along thought.

DTT

[truckdude239]

get the wheels and every thing on it and take it to a fram shop

[suville]

Having spent over 40+ years in the autobody trade I would recommend you search out a reputable autobody shop preferably one with "older" frame equipment the reason for "older" frame equipment since most vehicles of recent manufacture do not have frames they are unibody construction and therefore many shops will not be equipped to handle this type of repair. A qualified shop can set this frame up on a frame rack just as you have it stripped no need to reassemble it , hang the tram gauges on it and procedure with the repair also an older shop will have frame dimension manuals but I would copy the frame diagram previously posted and have it with you when you find a shop to do the repair. As a side note one of the shops I worked in used "Chief" E-Z liners if I'm recalling the brand name correctly and they were one of the premiere frame machines of the time. Hope this is of some help and good luck with your endeavor!

[navysnipe]

My dad's 70 took a shot in the same spot and he took it to the chevy dealer in VA Beach. They put it on an old type of frame straightener and after it was the same as before. Didn't even need to have a front end alignment. The only thing is that some of the frame rivets needed to be replaced with grade 8 bolts because they were streatched and loose.

Hope this helps

navysnipe

[CrashBob]

Originally Posted by suville

Having spent over 40+ years in the autobody trade I would recommend you search out a reputable autobody shop preferably one with "older" frame equipment the reason for "older" frame equipment since most vehicles of recent manufacture do not have frames they are unibody construction and therefore many shops will not be equipped to handle this type of repair. A qualified shop can set this frame up on a frame rack just as you have it stripped no need to reassemble it , hang the tram gauges on it and procedure with the repair also an older shop will have frame dimension manuals but I would copy the frame diagram previously posted and have it with you when you find a shop to do the repair. As a side note one of the shops I worked in used "Chief" E-Z liners if I'm recalling the brand name correctly and they were one of the premiere frame machines of the time. Hope this is of some help and good luck with your endeavor!

Not trying to jack the thread but,
Go E-Z Liners. Man you brought a boatload of memories back for me. 35 years ago, I used to live and die with one of those simple, yet outstanding machines. I straightened a Pantera using it and after I was finished, I read an article in some car rag that claimed Pantera monocoque bodies COULD NOT be straightened. The car checked out perfectly and the owner was happy.

CrashBob

[ebfabman]

Chassis liners work good too.......

[suville]

I rekin the equipment has changed somewhat but you at least want to look for a rack with moveable pulling towers, and ya the "chief" was/is a hellava machine hard to beat it'll bust chains and rip frames apart, guess how I know! That notched tower is an improvement in that it looks a bit easier to relocate the angle of pull. Dont miss the days all that much tho! Damn hard work.

[keenan]

Beeline frame equipment is pretty good iv been learning how to use one at my stepdads shop where we have one