73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: edonprewitt on February 14, 2011, 05:02:27 pm
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I have an 87 4x4 stepside that was hit in the left front tire in an intersection. The bottom of the frame is twisted in just behind the shock mounts. Apparently this cannot be corrected by the frame shop where it is currently.......... Is anyone familiar with how this can be corrected, or how it can be replaced (if possible) with a new frame section, or what any other options may be.
Thanks in advance for your help
Don
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Curious as to why they said it couldn't be fixed?
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Any frame guy thats any good should be able to fix any damage as long as he has the correct tools. I know a guy that is a magician, have seen him straiten stuff that looked like scrap metal to me, and Im a body man!
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Well, to be honest with you I don't know.............don't know whether it is a matter of tooling or knowledge. Or maybe he is holding out for more cash...........just don't know..................... I'm just trying to fix the problem.................I'm into the fix at about $1400 and don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. They last thing he told me was that the metal had stretched from the accident and he would get it "as close as he could" but "it may lean a little bit to the crash side". Any advise or information would be helpful.
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If he is telling you that and you already spent $1400.00, I wouldn't spend any more with him. If you can't find someone who can fix it, I would start looking for a new frame, or search for years that would fit.
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Well, not paying any more is pretty easy............This truck is a V-10 with numbers that match all the way around. I really don't want to change the frame. Would like to keep it all together. Other than the tires and wheels is is completely original and in really good shape. I will start looking for another frame place before he puts the fenders back on. Thanks for your help and hopefully soon I will post pics.
Thanks again
Don
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Pix of the damage would really help.
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Could you find a frame and cut the length that is damaged on both and weld the good frame onto your truck? Kind of like how Vile made his own short bed?
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here are some pics of the damage. the first is from the top, the other two are from the bottom. The twist starts right behind the shock mounts.
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1979C20.............that's certainly a possiblity..........if it can be rendered safe for offroad............don't do much of it but also don't want to find out too late that I shouldn't have.
Thanks
Don
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That poor truck. Broken/bent spring, bent up shock, crushed exhaust. Its always sad to see. Good luck with the repairs!
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I know you don't want to hear it but that ain't worth fixin'. Buy a donor and swap whatever makes sense to swap. There is no way to make that frame totally right. I'm not saying it couldn't work, it just isn't worth it. The frame is buckled in the second picture, right?
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I have seen worse, get straightened out and work fine, but this is a 4x4, I am with jaredts, I would find anouther frame.
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I would do a frame swap. Think of how nice it will look and it will be straight something a bent frame will never be no matter how you pull it.
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Plus you can detail the frame before you do the swap.
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X2... you spent $1400, then tells you the frame is bent?
If he is telling you that and you already spent $1400.00, I wouldn't spend any more with him. If you can't find someone who can fix it, I would start looking for a new frame, or search for years that would fit.
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All great stuff.......thanks for your replys............its not so much the repair as it is the space. If I "have" to change the frame out I will have to find another place to do it as my HOA doesn't allow massive repairs, even in the garage. Any suggestions on how much I would be talking about to get the frame changed at a shop, whether it be a body shop, frame shop, or whatever. I do agree that it would be a good time to start the restoration process.............just didn't want to get started this early as the funds are running a little short these days, if you know what I mean.
While I'm thinking about it................. the major pull on the straightening was behind the shock mount and the tip of the frame (ahead of the motor mount) was bent in a bit more. So the weight of the engine and suspension reaction would be the only issue with the frame straightening(even though they are the big ones). If I get the straightening done is there a way to reinforce the frame on the inside? Anyone done this or did I miss something in my internet travels for frame repairs?
Thanks again
Don
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Another thought........because it's early am here.............. what is the devaluation of the truck if I change the frame. I may not have noted before but this truck was the new nomenclature V-10 with the first with fuel injection. What does the impact of different numbers on the frame mean to the value of the truck once it is restored............................
As I understand my research the V was used for only one year in transition to the new design style, and a couple of other reasons that I can't think of right now.
Thanks again
don
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unfortunately the frame swap will have an impact on the value of a classic restored vehicle, that is if you are entering it into shows for that purpose. If you want to keep it because you love it, then a frame swap is the best solution. I hope you got the money to fix it from the people who hit you.
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Oh, of course not! Bad address, bad phone number, no insurance, you know the drill..............
OK, I'm back on top of the fix-or-replace fence............... can anyone help me with the years for the correct frame?
Thanks in advance
Don
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Honestly, swapping frames on a 73-87 isn't going to devalue the truck. Numbers matching on something you don't plan to get rid of means nothing.
If you want to use the truck swap the frame, if you are hoping to get more money out of it by keeping the factory frame, remember that it is damaged. That is going to be less money. Numbers matching on a regular pickup isn't a big deal either, and generally you will be hard pressed to find the VIN on one of these truck frames, a lot of times it is under the cab.
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can anyone help me with the years for the correct frame?
I am not sure as yours is an 87 and a v10 ? That would be best be answered by capt. I would assume. If he doesn't see it, try to send him a pm.
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I'll assume it's a shortbed? Any 81-87 K10 or V10 frame will swap.
It might devalue the truck in 50 + years but what's the alternative? Swap the frame and for $1400 bucks you coulda paid someone to do it for you on the side.
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Ok, well now that I have fallen off the fence with the second frame place letting me know that the frame is kinked where it is twisted, waved under the cab and diamoned and they won't even try to fix it, I guess my next question is.............
Can I use a 2X4 frame for my 4X4? There are a couple of project trucks that are pretty much down to the frame by they are all 81-87 2X4s.
Thanks for your continued support.
Don
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You could but it's a lot more work and a lot more stuff to swap plus you'll be part hunting since your springs and hangers are wrecked too. Shock mounts, bump stops etc are riveted I would just look for a 4x4 with a good frame for cheap
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X2 on what Vile said coming from somebody that has done it.
Here is a pic of mine with a 2wd frame.
(http://www.suitorsgarage.com/jsuitor/frameplumbed.JPG)
(http://www.suitorsgarage.com/jsuitor/frameoutside.jpg)
Only place on the 2wd frame that I did not have to drill was the rear spring mounts but they still needed to be changed out for the 4wd ones. All spring hangers are different, no holes for the rear of the front springs on a 2wd, engine mounts were different, I even found that the wheel arch is a different shape. I made jigs off of my old 4wd frame to locate everything. It was a lot of work to get a rust free frame.
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go 4x4.
when i stripped my frame completely down i could not find an engraved or stamped vin. so i don't see it devaluing it if you get another frame. if anything herculine it and say it's the same frame.
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I had two sets of numbers on my 2wd frame. One I can't remember where it is and one I found in a pic I had. I don't think you can see them with the truck assembled.
(http://www.suitorsgarage.com/jsuitor/framenumbers.JPG)
My opinion is that a good, clean, solid new frame isn't going to hurt the value of your truck. The value is down right now because of the accident and a new frame is only going to bring it up from there.
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Continuing saga on frame research.................. had to leave the junk yard because they were closing but I did find an 83 4x4 fleetside shortbed..... One question, the front had a single shock and mine has two. The VIN# is 1GCEK14CXDJ117126. It appears to be (in the short time I had) to be pretty much consistent with what I have..........mine is still at the frame shop so I can't compare it until tomorrow. Any indication as to why the shock difference?
Thanks in advance
Don "fell off the fence"
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Quad shock set up is an option. You can swap the brackets over to the other frame or just skip the quad shocks and go with a good quality single shock. To be honest I never noticed a huge difference between one or the other.
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VileZambonie,
Yep, other than the looks............. I have Fox on my toys but they are pretty pricy........any suggestions on a good quality shock for a single shock setup?
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I would just run the shocks you have if they're not damaged otherwise it depends on what you are running for lift, springs, axles, engine etc
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Just reviewed my original pics of the damage and the bracket is bent big time.......well, as well as the shocks on the left side...........Those single shocks are looking better already! I luckily got another set of single shocks with the 2 1/2 in lift kit to replace the twisted springs from the wreck.
Thanks again
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I did find an 83 4x4 fleetside shortbed.....
That's the way to go.