Frame repair

[Blazin]

A while back I mentioned I had to repair the frame on my 86 K 30. I did the frame repair between Christmas, and New Years, but have been slow getting the rest of it done. Figured I would post up some pics.

RH side: I could roll the right rear wheels back with my shoulder against the cab, and open it up about 4"!






From the inside:




LH side not as bad, only the top and side cracked:


The inside:


Mended up, ready for plating:












Made new dump frame spacers 2x2 box, which are now permanently part of the frame:


Ran angle iron along the underside for a gusset:


Making side plates:






Can never have enough clamps:


Plug welded, and a bead on all edges:


So while I was at it the rear hitch, and tail lights had seen better days:
















Back side:




Face side:


Thats about as far as I have gotten so far. I will add the rest of the pics when its done. I still have to do some welding on the rear of the dump body to install new tail lights etc., rewire the tail lights, run new brake lines

[jaredts]

Wow!  I started looking at your pics and couldn't believe you were going to repair that frame.  The rust is so deep and the cracks...nice work!  Looks pretty stout now that you've reinforced it.

[Blazin]

Well it started out as " just glue it back together to get the rest of the winter out of it ". As all things it got out of hand and grew into why not get another 5 or 6 years out of it. Kinda like a chalenge I guess!!

[78 Chevyrado]

That was scary lookin, nice repair work!

[VileZambonie]

Great job! I have a 99 Tacoma here that toyota will not perform the recall on so I'm going to be fixing that this week. I can literally punch a hole through the frame with my pinky.

[choptop]

Nice work as always

[frito-bandito]

Great job! I have a 99 Tacoma here that toyota will not perform the recall on so I'm going to be fixing that this week. I can literally punch a hole through the frame with my pinky.

There's your problem Vile... Japanese engineering!

[VileZambonie]

The engineering is fine.... The materials are the remains of old Chevy's, Fords, Dodge's and appliances.

[zieg85]

All I can say is I would hate to be following you and come up short in a panic stop.  Very nice work, thanks for sharing the play by play.

[fitz]

Another great job.Guys from outside of the rust belt must have a hard time understanding the job that salt does to our vehicles.
I wonder if the trade off is worth it as far as our trucks go? They get the rust free bodies but we get plenty of cheap parts trucks.

[choptop]

Another great job.Guys from outside of the rust belt must have a hard time understanding the job that salt does to our vehicles.
I wonder if the trade off is worth it as far as our trucks go? They get the rust free bodies but we get plenty of cheap parts trucks.

yeah, but how many of the parts off of the cheap trucks are usable. And they are cheap here, in my opinion. What is considered cheap in the rust belt? Heres cheap here- 88 suburban, running, no cancer, needs tranny ($200), 82 Crewcab single wheel, needs battery and gas ($800)  Non running parts trucks are usually $300 or less.

One thing is for sure, you guys in the rust belt definately have better metal working skills than here. I am envious.

[Blazin]

Thanks for the compliments.
I finished the hitch tonight. Shooting for getting it on the truck tomorrow night, but we are supposed to get snow. So I will probably be plowing that instead!
Cheap parts truck in my neck of the woods is $free to $150! Or trade off a few driveway plows!

[frito-bandito]

Good point Vile... not all trucks are made outta real steel like the 73-87 trucks.

I am glad I don't live in the rust belt myself, and choptop, you are right, there are tons of cheap trucks here in Texas with very little rust.

[fitz]

There plenty of beaters on the side of the road for a few hundred here. Many are rotted enough that they have had some of the bolt on body panels replaced, and of course many have had drivetrain parts replaced.
I just got a running/driving 84 K30 plow truck with a 350 4 bolt, turbo 400-205, and a Dana 60 for $1000.
I think in the long run you guys get the better deal getting the rust free trucks for cheap money. Someday hopefully I will head out your way to get one.

[Lucky73]

Thats the east coast for ya.Great job.way to show rust who's boss