Frame Repair/Welding

[Jmjuhl]

Finally have my 74 down to the frame and did the oven cleaner/pressure washer treatment last weekend. Next up is a good media blast.
I have a punch list of items that I need to repair on the frame and don’t have a welder, and due to space constraints I’m not going to get one. List of what needs to be done:

• Current radius arm drop brackets cut off...I have new radius arm brackets to be attached and welded.
• Both rear body mount holes fixed...they are starting to thin and pit.
• Current coil buckets & front shock mounts cut off and replaced/welded...I have the new brackets. (Looks like PO dropped them at some point)
• Drivers side front body mount needs replaced/welded.
• Front frame horns repaired (previous owner welded braces on for front bumper)
• Steering box spacer plate welded to the frame
• Overall general inspection of any other areas needing repair (two minor rust pinholes in lower rear frame horn)

First, am I missing anything that others would do on the frame?
Second, does anybody know a good shop in SE Texas, or within a 250 mile radius of Houston, that knows Bronco’s, and can help?

 

[Rustytruck]

get your frame ready to weld cut and fit all the pieces and then call in a mobile welder once your ready to weld it wont take much time to weld er up. Maybe check on Facebook market place. some of our vendors carry the parts am the weld plates to repair the frame. if you know how to weld and have the power at home you can always rent a welder from home Depot or a rental yard. where theirs a will there is a way.

 

[armynavy17]

Shouldn't be hard to find a welder in that area. They don't need to be knowledgeable in broncos just to repair a frame. I'd look for a metal shop and ask them for recommendations. Even if the shop doesn't weld, they probably have a list of guys that do good work or a guy in the back might do it on the side.

 

[Jmjuhl]

get your frame ready to weld cut and fit all the pieces and then call in a mobile welder once your ready to weld it wont take much time to weld er up. Maybe check on Facebook market place. some of our vendors carry the parts am the weld plates to repair the frame. if you know how to weld and have the power at home you can always rent a welder from home Depot or a rental yard. where theirs a will there is a way.

After thinking on it a bit I think this is the route I am going to go. Just going to get everything mocked up and call in a mobile welder.

Most shops I talked to gave me the run around, said they would quote and never did, and one shop even told me to scrap it and buy a TDK frame.

 

[Rustytruck]

Or you ca go to a trailer repair shop. just get everything ready and take it with you. they will look it over and find at most a couple of hours work and get it done. no one wants to cut and fit rusty stuff. at 100 to 150 an hour they don't want to talk to you. run an ad on facebook market place once your are ready. could also take a night course at the local college. where there is a will there is a way. You just have to do the dirty work and make it easy for them

 

[Lando375]

I'm at the same point as you. I also had some of the same problems with shops around Houston. No one wants to work anymore. There were some cracks on one of the body mounts that I needed to grind out an weld closed. Probably not a bad idea to purchase and inexpensive welder and get some practice in.

 

[Jmjuhl]

Well I finally found a buddy of mine that had a welder in his garage and we got it knocked out. Just got everything mocked up and hauled it over to his house…its far from perfect but it will work. Just got it back from powder coat and ready to finally start bolting stuff on.

 

[Rustytruck]

see where there is a will there is a way. My local harbor freight rents welders too as do manny rental houses.