decided to go another way with the truck, so starting fresh with a bare frame looking for helpful tips and pics would be awesome on frame boxing and re doing cross members..
had a few question before i even start..
if i box the frame in all actuality there no way for it to be 100 % air/water tight... so what happens to all the mud water ...drill holes in bottom?
thought of that and said sometime holes add strength? right? dont want to put holes if in the existing frame , want to put some decent size holes in my pieces im using for plate...
run some big circles in the middle leaving inch or so on to and bottom and few inches a part. that will allow for acces to lines and cleaning, but will that defeat the purpose of the plate ?
i have a small design set out like that and it didn't look to bad.. should still give me added strength right? or not?
then thought of just reinforcing where the steer box is and plate the frame where it makes the curve up and use a step down method on the end and not worry bout rest of it
thanks for looking
What I have done is fully boxed frame, and no it wont be 100% water/air tight so I drilled a few holes along bottom of frame and filled frame with great stuff. It displaces air with foam and is waterproof. Some might say that it is worse to do that since moisture can gather between foam and frame and cause rust. A few monthes ago I cut a piece of the box off to inspect for rust and there was none even on bare metal. I have had this like this for the past 4 years. It works and yes boxing frame is well worth it if u plan on beating hell out of your truck. Hope that helps
i see alot of cardboard cut outs in my future...
i could see the use of the foam,atleast with it in there u dont get mud or stuff in it just filtered clean water in a way,
Foam will just hold more water and dirt in the frame and make it rot more you just won't be able to see it till after it breaks. Box the last 3 foot of the frame and the front 3 foot and call it good. You can power wash it out and still have more strength. As for the steering box area, pull the steering box and weld in a piece of half inch plate, drill some holes bolt it back on and box it if your really worried about it.
Quote from: Trent on January 01, 2012, 11:21:14 PM
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=173 (http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=173)
wonder what the shipping would be on that from Iowa to mi.. lol
would save hours and hours of fab time prob be well worth the 200
ive never had a frame on a truck fail, and always thought lighter is better myself?
I'm boxing mine in right after motor mounts till just after leafspring shackles, then some in rear where there is curves and no crossmembers. I thought you didn't need to till last summer when i bent mine all ti heck just getting the front tires maybe a couple feet of the ground and it landed just right. And thats even with the 3/16" thick frame!
It is a big insurance on your rig cause let me tell ya it sucks ass starting all over again!
Quote from: Bryank on January 02, 2012, 05:34:36 PM
I'm boxing mine in right after motor mounts till just after leafspring shackles, then some in rear where there is curves and no crossmembers. I thought you didn't need to till last summer when i bent mine all ti heck just getting the front tires maybe a couple feet of the ground and it landed just right. And thats even with the 3/16" thick frame!
It is a big insurance on your rig cause let me tell ya it sucks ass starting all over again!
ya i had a hanger fall of the frame im runnin now...herd that back cuve was one main of the wekneses on those besides by steer box...
did u add in any extra crossmebers?
I haven't added any crossmembers there's a decent amount in the back. Mine bent about 3-4inches up the frame from the front shackels so that's my main concern. I'm gonna use at least 12 gauge to box it in. I'm also gonna make my transmission crossmember solid to the frame and not use spacers or use solid spacers because that crossmember plays a big part in keeping the frame solid.
Quote from: Chevy Racer on January 01, 2012, 05:33:26 AM
Foam will just hold more water and dirt in the frame and make it rot more you just won't be able to see it till after it breaks. Box the last 3 foot of the frame and the front 3 foot and call it good. You can power wash it out and still have more strength. As for the steering box area, pull the steering box and weld in a piece of half inch plate, drill some holes bolt it back on and box it if your really worried about it.
Yup, just like that. Anything thats looks like it might be loose, knock the rivets out and replace with grade 8 bolts.