Frame Replacement Help

[duffymahoney]

Contact Icon, I don't believe he keeps the frames. I bet he has a stack sitting at his shop.

 

[Steve83]

I am just not finding any used frames on the West Coast. What are good options, not sure where to look. I want either a reconditioned frame or a new frame. Thanks

The options are: look harder locally, look farther away, or find a really-good local fabricator to repair yours or make one from scratch. CA to TN is a 4-day drive minimum, one-way. You might look into a car-hauler service, but you'd have to buy a couple of axles (anything - cheap trailer axles would work) for me to set this frame onto.

 

[Crawdad]

Expect to pay upwards of $2k for a new frame from Krawlers Edge or JBG. Have you chkd with West Coast Broncos or Wild Horses to see if they can order you a reman frame? Just bc Jim doesn't have it in his catalog doesn't mean he can get it and maybe at a better deal.

If you want to go the cheaper route (which is what I would do) you must be patient. Taking your body off will take you weeks if you are doing it by yourself. I'd keep my eyes open on CL, CB4x4, etc every day that goes by. A frame should be easy to find but finding it ne in great shape may be difficult. But you are in Cali so u should be good. I'd make sure you find a frame with a matching title. If you find one without a title I'd run it by your DMV. If your old frame has the matching vin numbers I highly suggest keeping those sections.

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Master Chief]

Bronco Connection, located in Nebraska, has frames starting at $1395.00 and can most likely provide you with shipping cost. Says to call for availability.

http://www.my4x4parts.com/frame-v8-blasted/

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Frame Options:

Could try and fix mine, would need to remove and wait for a new one if mine isn't fixable.. Not much luck locally still trying.

I have a few months before I can tear the truck down so I have time.

Approx deliverly included in price....
Bronco connection $2200 2/3 weeks
Mandrel Bent Frame $3300 5/7 weeks
Krawlers Edge Frame $4600 4/5 weeks

 

[wepuckett]

at those prices you might look around for a bronco project that has a title that you can sell off parts you don't need to help recoup some of the cost.

 

[Steve83]

Geez... At those prices, it MIGHT be worth your time to get mine. I don't have nearly that much in it, so I can afford to let it go cheap.

 

[rydog1130]

I have a frame $500 but it's in Michigan

 

[jagbucket]

there's a frame on cl in Seattle wa located in centrailia wa. shows pics but does not list a price on it so might be gone. he has a phone # listed in reply

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Listening to the great advice from you all I found a frame. West Coast Bronco's has a stack of frames they get from Icon, they run between $500 and $1000 depending on the condidtion.

So now that I have to remove the body and suspension how would you rebuild it?

Driving will be, weekend fun maybe a few road trips to Borrego, Palm Springs or the mountains. I grew up 4x4ing I am thinking trails, fire roads maybe some desert stuff. I am looking for a solid build, good stance that dosn't feel like I am driving a tank. Right now my truck is very stiff, dual Duffs on each corner... Kinda like the Bilstin route, maybe even a higher end shock. I have 3K for suspension, body lift, front end tie rods, and various brackets etc. I like a 2.5 suspension with 1 inch body lift. Living in san Clemente there is a fair amount of freeway driving to get anywhere.

Thanks again for the input!!!

 

[Rustytruck]

I am glad you found a frame. I would not get carried away. Remove the complete body all together. Remove the body mounts and disconnect the fuel system, wiring and brake cables. Disconnect the steering column and transmission linkage. Pull the whole thing straight up and and roll out the chassis. Swap the components off the old frame and replace every piece of rubber you find. Plop the body back on using new body mounts and new bolts. Here I would add integral 1" body lift and hook everything back up. Now go enjoy your Bronco. If you attack it harder than this you wont see your truck back together for 2 years and instead of $1500 bucks it will be at least a $10,000 - $20,000 ordeal

 

[redwards69]

Just catching up on this thread. You've certainly started with some challenges, but now that you have a frame, you're on your way. My frame was good, but had to replace about half of my sheet metal due to rust and PO screw ups.

Most of the Bronco houses have suspension kits that match front to rear for lift. When I ordered mine, there was a shortage on rear springs. I ended up with 3.5 front springs from Wild Horses, and the rear leafs from Duffs. I replaced all my steering linkages as well. I went with the Bilsteins.

I look forward to watching this.

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Thanks for the advice. The truck is a mess, but not much rust. I took the truck in today to have the engine looked at, there is a serious gas smell and I can't figure it out. I think there is a leak on the carburator at the linkage, it is a Edlebrock not sure why the previous owner but it on this truck but looks like a mistake to me. I would really like to get the basics so the truck actually can drive down the road in a straight line and tear it apart this winter.. I think what I am asking is a wish list from Bronco people, I do agree enjoy the truck I want to break the build into a few parts: Frame and suspension, body repair, place body back on the truck drive it and later in the year figure out the engine and transmission.

 

[76 bronco J]

>>> always been curious how Icon4x4 is retaining original VIN #'s when they use Art Morrison frames on pretty much every early bronco they build.... more questions have risen now>> do these stack of early bronco Icon build frames at west coast broncos still have original VIN#'s on them that Jonathan claims he still uses.... does this stack of frames have VIN#'s removed/grinded down.... using one of those complete frames with either situation doesn't seem good to me.............................. from ICON4X4 FAQ copypaste>Yes. Each ICON FJ model starts life as a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser (1960-1975). Each ICON TR starts with a 1947-53 Chevy Pick Up. Each ICON BR starts with a 1966-1975 Ford Bronco. We recycle the vintage vehicle and the original vehicle identification is maintained. This also saves tremendous industrial waste, and we are reviving vehicles most people thought were at the end of their life span! Occassionally, special projects like our Concept Cars are scratch built vehicles. In these instances, Specialty Construction Title processes are handled by the client, with our advice and the support of SEMA. While we can not be expert on Non-USA laws, we have delivered ICON to many countries, and we are happy to consult with your importer on compliance issues. ........

 

[76 bronco J]

>>> always been curious how Icon4x4 is retaining original VIN #'s when they use Art Morrison frames on pretty much every early bronco they build.... more questions have risen now>> do these stack of early bronco Icon build frames at west coast broncos still have original VIN#'s on them that Jonathan claims he still uses.... does this stack of frames have VIN#'s removed/grinded down.... using one of those complete frames with either situation doesn't seem good to me.............................. from ICON4X4 FAQ copypaste>Yes. Each ICON FJ model starts life as a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser (1960-1975). Each ICON TR starts with a 1947-53 Chevy Pick Up. Each ICON BR starts with a 1966-1975 Ford Bronco. We recycle the vintage vehicle and the original vehicle identification is maintained. This also saves tremendous industrial waste, and we are reviving vehicles most people thought were at the end of their life span! Occassionally, special projects like our Concept Cars are scratch built vehicles. In these instances, Specialty Construction Title processes are handled by the client, with our advice and the support of SEMA. While we can not be expert on Non-USA laws, we have delivered ICON to many countries, and we are happy to consult with your importer on compliance issues. ........

^^^^^ >> still curious.... anybody have the answer how Icon4x4 gets away with using original VIN#s as Johnathan Ward claims..... & what makes West Coast Broncos think that "stack" of frames is worth up to $1000 each..... I could see up to $1000 if the frames had a titles accompanying them....

 

[duffymahoney]

Cut the vin off the frame and weld it into the new frame. That's my bet.

 

[Crawdad]

Cut the vin off the frame and weld it into the new frame. That's my bet.

I'm curious too. I was told by my DMV that the task of cutting and re welding a VIN to another frame is highly illegal. May be Cali is different. I thought they would be issuing a new vin like a kit car.

Or they are restamping VINs to better frames, again highly illegal.

 

[Steve83]

A VIN is not actually part of a frame, and a frame is not what a VIN identifies. It's a VEHICLE ID Number. A vehicle is composed of MANY parts - not just a frame. So for the same reasons that: 1) you can take a windshield, chair, or light bulb out of a vehicle with a VIN and install those parts legally onto other vehicles with different VINs...; and 2) it's not a crime to register or drive those vehicles (with parts from other vehicles); there's nothing wrong with what Ikon & WCB are doing. Even cops understand that vehicle parts wear out, and some parts wear out on some vehicles while identical parts on similar vehicles don't, so those parts get swapped. Legally. Especially on 50-year-old 4WD trucks.

The only problem you'd run into is if you DON'T remove the VIN from your legally-recycled parts, and someone puts its original VIN back on the road, and that reconstructed vehicle then gets reported stolen. Now you're in-possession of parts from a stolen vehicle.

So all Ikon has to do is document the fact that they're removing a factory frame from a vehicle (for whatever reason) that they legally own, replacing it with some other frame (or NOT, as the case may be), destroying the VIN on the original frame (or any other part), and then legally selling that part to someone who has no right or reason to use the original VIN. In that case, they're not selling a Vehicle, so why would anyone expect some junk part to retain its VIN?

All you have to do is document (photographically &/or on-paper) that you're buying a used VINless frame legally, and then building on top of it. If your local laws require you to put your VIN onto this replacement frame, do it. If they prohibit it, don't. But installing any part you own onto any vehicle (or project) you own is legal. So is selling parts you own (with or w/o VINs).

If you're not sure, ask the local OMV, or state police, or vehicle inspection station.

When I rolled my truck, my local OMV (in LA) didn't care that I had changed the body, and screwed the original VIN plate onto the replacement tub (which was a different year). When I moved to TN, the OMV didn't care what I had done to it in LA - they only cared that I legally owned that VIN (even though they couldn't see it screwed to the tub because of the newer windshield, and there was no VC label in the door jamb) and that it wasn't reported stolen anywhere. My insurance agent also didn't care that the VIN wasn't visible on the vehicle anywhere - they've been insuring it for over a decade that way (and paying claims). They also know that I've done it to that Bronco again - this time with a much-newer body tub & frame. And even though I legally owned the donor before I stripped it down & put the parts together with the '83 (yeah, right) parts, no one checked that, or even asked me. I asked a few people in the insurance office & OMV, but they all said it wasn't important (or maybe they just didn't want to deal with all that extra hassle).

I'm in the process of doing it again to the Bronco I'm building now, using a frame that I bought legally, but whose title, VIN, & body tub I sold years ago (without ever titling, registering, or insuring it myself). I installed that tub onto the buyer's Bronco, but he ended up using his original VIN - not the one I sold him. His father is a retired cop, so I'm pretty sure he's legal. So the VIN for the frame I'm using is probably still shown as a totalled theft-recovery. The engine got shipped to a guy in Michigan, and I assume he's still driving it with his original VIN.

 

[Slowleak]

I know laws vary between states but in most states it is illegal to remove a vin# or possess any part with an identification number removed.

This is from North Carolina. Georgia law is similar.
a)Any person who knowingly buys, receives, disposes of, sells, offers for sale, conceals, or has in his possession any motor vehicle, or engine or transmission or component part which has been stolen or removed from a motor vehicle and from which the manufacturer's serial or engine number or other distinguishing number or identification mark or number placed thereon under assignment from the Division has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting the identity of said motor vehicle or engine or transmission or component part is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.