Installing front rollpan, where/how should I brace frame?

[team39763]

I ran into a local track legend and he gave me props on my truck.  He showed me some pictures of his truck and gave me a little advice and and tips.  One thing he told me to do was get rid of the front bumper and brace the frame so it wouldn't crack without the support of the bumper.  So far I have the sheetmetal cut and ready to go in place after I trim the frame horns.  Where and how should I brace the frame? 

[ccz145a]

Never thought about that... I guest the bumper would give a little extra support. I would think for anything to replace that support, it would have to be bolted in at least 2 places on each horn. I do not know of anything you can buy pre-fabbed. Guess you could weld an angle between the horns, too. The support would have to go in front of the steering box to do any good.

[Captkaos]

the bumper doesn't add much in the way of stability of the frame.  The frame supports the bumper not the other way around. The bumper is mounted so it will flex/bend in an impact, the framerails aren't.

If you do want to add a stiffener to the front frame rails, weld a piece of tubing between them at the front...

[loudnlow87]

i dont see how the frame would crack without the bumper. it doesnt add that much strength compared to the inherent strength of the frame, especially in the front with the crossmember and all the parts that tie itself together.

[Blazin]

I agree, the bumper does nothing for strength. I would do as Chris said and weld a piece of tube between them. Or do like big trucks do weld a flat flange onto the end of the tube, then put 4 bolts through the frame and the flanges.

[Damien]

I disagree. The front bumper, when bolted properly should provide support to keep the front frame rails from flexing side to side. On 4x4 trucks and a few 2x4 trucks, I have seen the rivets in the front cross member work loose or shear off.  I would make a bracket from round or square tubing with angle iron welded to the ends to bolt between the rails. I would not recommend welding a brace in, because the welds could break.

[team39763]

I think I'll go ahead and do like ya'll said and put a tube between the frame with flanges on the ends and bolt it in.  Thanks for the help guys.

[Blazin]

If its welded correctly its not going to break. I have welded plenty of things to frame rails from Toyotas to Peterbuilts over the years and have never had one break.

[Damien]

I am not doubting any one persons welding skills. I am saying if it were my truck I would bolt it. If necessary it makes it much easier to remove.

[Dragon]

I disagree. The front bumper, when bolted properly should provide support to keep the front frame rails from flexing side to side.

Yep pretty much the design idea for front and rear bumpers on typical Full Perimiter Frame/Body On Frame Vehicles(Along with alot of the Uni-Body Constructions as well), is to complete the structure and to help aide in minimizing side to side/up and down flexing... 

I picked that up from my Father(Retired Aircraft Machinist & Etc.) and Grandfather(Retired Navy Machinist & Etc.), when they taught me basics of structural design, and had that reinforced when I had my ICAR/ASE Automotive Repair and Refinishing Training(GM/Ford/Chrysler/Nissan/Toyota/Subaru Factory Standard Approved)....

If you good at welding, by all means weld it in, but if you prefer bolt in, I wouldn't recommend using anything less than a Grade 8 Hardware, unless you like replacing pieces/drilling out broken bolts/etc....

[Captkaos]

there are 2 structural members at the front of the frame, Radiator support which is bolted 5" back and then another crossmember not 10" from there. You aren't going to gain anything buy adding weight back to the front of the truck... 

The truck is going to flex some if it ever hooks up because of the twisting force of the engine, but it won't be anywhere near the end of the frame.    Keep in mind we are talking about a truck that will be on a flat surface for 1320ft with a turn at the end...  BTW GM frames were designed to flex, the only way to eliminate it is to box the frame or build a frame, some flex is good in a drag car...