Community
Message Forum
Photo Gallery
Event Calendar
Book Reviews
Bronco Wallpaper
Bronco FAQ
Link Back to CB!
Photo Gallery
Event Calendar
Book Reviews
Bronco Wallpaper
Bronco FAQ
Link Back to CB!
Buy / Sell
Bronco Tech
3 Arm Wiper Setup
Fix Motor Mount
Roll Cage Braces
Throttle Body 65mm
Wheel Alignment
Heat Riser Replacement
Vent Window Repair
Center Console Mount
Straighten Bumper
Ford 6R80 6 spd
More Tech...
Fix Motor Mount
Roll Cage Braces
Throttle Body 65mm
Wheel Alignment
Heat Riser Replacement
Vent Window Repair
Center Console Mount
Straighten Bumper
Ford 6R80 6 spd
More Tech...
-
Welcome to ClassicBroncos! - You are currently viewing the forums as a GUEST. To take advantage of all the site features, please take a moment to register. It's fast, simple and absolutely free. So please join our community today!If you have problems registering or can't log into your account, please contact Admin.
frame repair
- Thread starter jamie
- Start date
There was a discussion here a while back about what issues there might be with welding a frame. I don't profess to know anything about metallurgy, but I would not have a problem doing what you are considering. There have been hundreds upon hundreds of shock, trac bar, traction and radius arm mounts welded to frames over the decades, and you don't hear about problems with them.
72-Madisyn
Full Member
to me it all depends how bad the rot is and how you are actually planning to repair. if you are just getting steel and patching and placing where needed and if you ever get rear ended then the structural integrity of the back half of the frame is shot and you are in some trouble. If you are thinking about finding a frame that was hit in the front, sectioning the rear say 30 inches of it, creating sleaves on the joints and welding it into place then I think that you would be ahead of the game compared to putting a whole new frame under it, unless the body is already pulled then full frame. I have a 2 year old so I think about the saftey side of it and in an accident your frame is your best friend most times.
Explorer
Bronco Guru
Frames have been lengthened, shortened, split in half and widened. I see no problems with it if you are a certified welder. I weld too, but when my life depends on something, I have an expert do it.
If I had a frame that needed to have the last 24" repaired due to rust, I'd be very concerned about what shape the rest of it is in. Hard to know what's going on inside the tubes. I guess if you took a hammer and worked your way along the frame rails giving them a good whack you might find any other soft spots...
Just how does one go about evaluating a frame for soundness?
Steve
Just how does one go about evaluating a frame for soundness?
Steve
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2003
- Messages
- 1,020
If you are planning to actually cut out the rot and replace it instead of just cover it up you should not have any problems. The frames on EB's are just plain carbon steel so there are no special heat treatment requirements like on heavy trucks to keep heat affected zones from cracking under stress. However, other comments here about being a good welder should be taken into account. I don't believe you need a certified structural welder for this but you need to have the skill to put in good, full penetration welds without porosity. A properly placed and welded patch on these frames will be just as strong as the factory piece.
If you are planning to replace the entire rear section with a square weld joint you should either stagger the top and side seams, add fish plates on the sides or install a sleeve as was suggested here earlier just to be on the safe side. Technically speaking, the weld seam should be exactly as strong as the base metal on both sides. However, there are some additional stress concentration issues created by an accident that you just can't predict.
If you are planning to replace the entire rear section with a square weld joint you should either stagger the top and side seams, add fish plates on the sides or install a sleeve as was suggested here earlier just to be on the safe side. Technically speaking, the weld seam should be exactly as strong as the base metal on both sides. However, there are some additional stress concentration issues created by an accident that you just can't predict.
No way, that would make you more safe, it would be like a built in crumple zone!
72-Madisyn
Full Member
Actually it would be the weakest point in your frame and yes,crumple and send the force of the impact in to the passenger compartment. I see how factory frames bend, move, buckle everyday at work. Yes, EB frames are tough but when you have a 30-40 plus mph impact then it is going to bend metal and really going to bend metal at its weakest point. If repaired correctly then I wouldnt think twice about doing it on my own truck but, and not trying to offend anyone here, but a welder in his garage isnt really a trained frame tech. just my thoughts.
Steve83
Bronco Guru
Depends on what it'll cost you to get it repaired RIGHT, and what a replacement frame will cost. Where are you?
With a BP hammer. If it dents, or you hear rust flakes popping off inside, it's trash.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2009
- Messages
- 239
I don't know about cost but I was at Wildhorses 4x4 this week and in their wherehouse they had about 10 frames stacked on top of each other. They said they were all for sale.I think you have more problems back east with rust but here in Ca if the bronco was originally from here usually the frames are in good shape maybe some mild surface rust.Mine was an original ca bronco and when I painted the frame it was in great shape with only a little surface rust hit it with a sanding wheel and it was like new.If it were me, the frame off I would spend the money and start with a good solid frame in need of no repair just paint;D
