Stacking 3 frames and 3 axle sets

[betzgb]

So here's a random one for you... I have three future Bronco projects that are all rolling chassis. I am about to move and need to put these projects in a storage unit for 6-12 months. I would rather not pay the price for 3 storage units vs. getting one and figuring out a way to stack all three frames/axles on top of each other. No engines or trannies, just frames and axles for all three. Anybody have photos of something similar or have ideas on how you would accomplish that? I have access a shop crane to lift them, just wondering about spacers between them and how I might trailer them to storage once stacked

 

[DirtDonk]

Stacking the frames is easy peasy. Stacking them with axles installed is a different story!
Don't think too many of us have had this issue, so probably not too many are going to have pictures.
Aren't you lucky then? Being one of the few (only?) to have three frames to stack while moving? Lucky you!

My only possible scenario (how tall is the trailer by the way?) would be to simply stack them and then strap the heck out of them. No tires, just axles, strap frames to frames, axles to axles, axles to frames, and tighten the crap out of them. No slipping allowed!
You could easily remove the front coils to let the suspensions collapse for tighter packaging, but not sure if that's what you'd want to do with the leaf springs. But it would work.
With the leaf packs, you could strap them to the frames or just stack them under.

Good luck!

Paul

 

[ford man]

Can you weld? If so take 3" pipe and weld caps with studs sticking out both sides in the center you will need 8 of them then pick up the frame put 8 pipes between the bottom frame and the top frame bolt them though the body mount holes big washer on bottom then make 8 more with threaded caps on one side and studs on the other thread the pipe down on the stud sticking out of the second frame with big pipe wrench then set the 3rd one on and bolt it down sounds simple right ! I am sure some one will come up with a better idea

 

[knack]

Can you put wheels and tires on one? If you can, at least you can roll the stack around once you figure out how to stack them.

 

[thegreatjustino]

First one on the ground as normal. Turn the second one 90 degrees and set it on top of the first one. Flip the third one upside down with the axles up and set it on the other stacked two.

 

[betzgb]

Can you put wheels and tires on one? If you can, at least you can roll the stack around once you figure out how to stack them.

Yes that was the plan, to keep the bottom one movable to winch it up on the trailer and move it around in storage.

 

[betzgb]

Can you weld? If so take 3" pipe and weld caps with studs sticking out both sides in the center you will need 8 of them then pick up the frame put 8 pipes between the bottom frame and the top frame bolt them though the body mount holes big washer on bottom then make 8 more with threaded caps on one side and studs on the other thread the pipe down on the stud sticking out of the second frame with big pipe wrench then set the 3rd one on and bolt it down sounds simple right ! I am sure some one will come up with a better idea

Yes welding/fabricating is on the table. This is roughly the approach I had in mind, but was wondering if things were going to get unstable with 3 high. Storage is close, but ultimately I will need to trailer them to the new home which is an 8 hour drive. Perhaps once on the trailer taking the tires off the bottom frame to take the rubber out of the equation will be a stable base.

 

[betzgb]

First one on the ground as normal. Turn the second one 90 degrees and set it on top of the first one. Flip the third one upside down with the axles up and set it on the other stacked two.

So this is an interesting idea! Assume you are suggesting 180 degrees for the first. Is the idea they will fit more snug together avoiding the shock tower stacking?

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Maybe alternating them end to end will work. Bottom frame facing north to south. Middle frame pointing south to north. And top frame north to south same as the bottom frame.
Rather than welding I would just use two pieces of 4x4 lumber sideways between the frames. It's easy to drill for bolts to the frame so no sliding. Heck you could even then forget the alternated directions and just offset the middle frame to one side so the shocks and stuff sit side by side with the one under it. I've heard that truckers always use wood between steel and the bed of the truck because steel on steel is a recipe for sliding.

 

[DirtDonk]

How wide is the trailer? That might dictate whether the 180 method would work. It would certainly shave a lot of height, but adds a lot of width.

How long is the trailer? Just thinking of a “wheels on” scenario, where you could lay the second frame on the first with the tires forward or aft of the lower tires. Letting it settle down much further. Then do the opposite with the top frame.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Maybe alternating them end to end will work. Bottom frame facing north to south. Middle frame pointing south to north. And top frame north to south same as the bottom frame.
Rather than welding I would just use two pieces of 4x4 lumber sideways between the frames. It's easy to drill for bolts to the frame so no sliding. Heck you could even then forget the alternated directions and just offset the middle frame to one side so the shocks and stuff sit side by side with the one under it. I've heard that truckers always use wood between steel and the bed of the truck because steel on steel is a recipe for sliding.

He's not stacking bare frames, he's stacking three rolling chassis. Going north to south or south to north isn't going to make a bit of difference with the front and rear ends and suspension installed on all of them.