Frame Replacement Help

[Jamie Chriss]

I have two posts going, Build priorities and this one, sorry

Help..
After receiving some great advice from this forum it took my Bronco in to have the frame measured and the frame is shot, totally worthless! Whats next?

Now that the frame needs to come off my original project plans need to change. I don't have experience tearing down an entire Bronco and rebuilding it, though I have the patients and desire to do it. The frame shop says they will do the frame swap for $2,500.00, I told them that if I am taking off the frame I want to change out the suspension, body lift and all the plastic parts associated, I also told them I have no idea where I was going to find a suitable frame so I am picking up the truck and dropping it off at my parents house, who willingly letting me keep it there, ha ha they have no idea what they are in store for.

So the frame is coming off the truck what should my build priorities be? I am in no rush so I want to do each step right.

New Frame or used frame? Recommendations are welcome
2.5 suspension lift (road driving w/some lite off road driving)
1.0 inch body lift
Replace all plastic parts

What next while I have the frame off?

Back story: truck has been sitting for a long time, the previous owner tinkered with the truck but it has some cob web build up, before this owner I think the truck sat for a really long time? I recently purchased the truck knowing it needed allot of work.

Recently Rebuilt C4
Engine runs ok, needs some tuning
Needs new exhaust, currently has dual exhaust with some sort of cherry bombs.. don't like.
Front disc brakes/rear shoes truck brakes ok
Metal work needed: both outer and inter fenders, radiator support, some floorboard patch work.

Interior needs everything, seat belts, seats, cage, instrument cluster etc
Needs every weather stripping, there is nothing

 

[duffymahoney]

I would buy a frame. They come up for sale a lot.

 

[bronconut73]

There is Matkins aftermarket eb frames but If you can find a good used one you could really save a lot of coin. For what your intended use is the aftermarket frame would not be any real benefit.

 

[wepuckett]

First thing I would do is learn what your state requires to title a older vehicle as it will determine your next step.
Bronco Graveyard sells bronco frames and Krawlers edge sells new aftermarket frames, sure there are others but really everything comes down to what your state requires.

 

[wepuckett]

Some states want title and frame to match some want glovebox and title to match and some want all 3 to match

 

[wepuckett]

Oh and don't tell DMV your doing a frame swap just ask them what you need to get an old bronco titled in your name as your looking to buy a project and want to make sure it has everything

 

[Pa PITT]

... SO I'd get a 2nd opinion on your org frame.
& YOU ONLY HAVE 17 POST. So I say read a lot more threads & post before you accept the 1st guys word that your frame is toast.
.... He may well be correct that yours is toast. But there are members on here that have rebuild some parts of Bronco that I'd have been ashamed to haul to the scrap yard.
......... Maybe give us a bunch of pictures .. Your builder may have just looked at the Frame Body Pad Mount & says they are rusted thru.. YES THOSE ARE RESTORED WITH BIG ROUND WASHERS. PRIMED & FIXED. Others have added new noses to the front of the frame. In my opinion the shock perches are the scariest but these Guys fix them all the time.. SO Give use some picture & descriptions let us help.
...........
..... Part of the reason I'm so Susceptible is , I worked for a Chrysler stealership for 7 years. & ALL THE Techs just wanted to totally replace all the parts with new. That way it was fixed right the 1st time.
... I got a free 5speed NP4500 just because the 5th gear nut cam off & it had 145000 miles on it.
That same tech told me after I took it home ... About 2 weeks later, there's nothing wrong with that trans it just needs a new nut.
.. Wow Theves.

 

[Skiddy]

... SO I'd get a 2nd opinion on your org frame.
& YOU ONLY HAVE 17 POST. So I say read a lot more threads & post before you accept the 1st guys word that your frame is toast.
.... He may well be correct that yours is toast. But there are members on here that have rebuild some parts of Bronco that I'd have been ashamed to haul to the scrap yard.
......... Maybe give us a bunch of pictures .. Your builder may have just looked at the Frame Body Pad Mount & says they are rusted thru.. YES THOSE ARE RESTORED WITH BIG ROUND WASHERS. PRIMED & FIXED. Others have added new noses to the front of the frame. In my opinion the shock perches are the scariest but these Guys fix them all the time.. SO Give use some picture & descriptions let us help.
...........
..... Part of the reason I'm so Susceptible is , I worked for a Chrysler stealership for 7 years. & ALL THE Techs just wanted to totally replace all the parts with new. That way it was fixed right the 1st time.
... I got a free 5speed NP4500 just because the 5th gear nut cam off & it had 145000 miles on it.
That same tech told me after I took it home ... About 2 weeks later, there's nothing wrong with that trans it just needs a new nut.
.. Wow Theves.

frame is toast, it was in a pretty big wreck http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276974

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Skiddy thanks for attaching my original post. I am picking the truck up tomorrow I will get the details. Over the phone he said the frame was bent in multiple areas I would have some fix it if I could. Truck drives ok I could do some basic stuff and start the rebuild in the fall... I will post the details tomorrow.

 

[camp9k]

I have swap a few frames myself and it gets easier every time. The biggest pain is dealing with the old bolts for me. I am sending my current project off to get blasted and primed... the guy didn't want on my rotisserie? I have a dolly set up on another frame using the hitch receivers on front and rear bumpers. took about 2 hour this weekend to swap frames using some 12 ton jacks and strong sawhorses from home depot. The trick is getting the saw horses in a strong area wide enough apart to get the frame by. hope this helps you and saves you some money. the frame i pulled out is spoken for but there out there.

Thanks
John

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Thanks Camp 9K!! I need to find a good frame, I may get the truck say and drive it this summer and tear it down in the fall. Good think this truck dosn't have allot of rust. I need to get rid of the leaf blocks and lower the truck down a bit.

 

[Rustytruck]

While your truck is intact get it titled in your name now. Don't spend any money on it until you have clean title. Join So Cal Broncos and send out a message your looking for a frame. Maybe one will show up locally. Make sure you get a bill of sale for the frame you purchase and it lists the frame vin numbers. I would also contact Driven 4x4 parts and see if they have one. Their probably your closest used Bronco parts supplier. After you swap your frame cut out the vin number section out of your old frame and keep it with the Bronco forever with the bill of sale from your new frame. I would keep very good records of the frame swap and also document it in photos so it is clear exactly what you have done. In California title verification is with the frame and pink slip. It may be wise to have the frame you purchase title searched to make sure its not stolen. I don't know how you deal with that unless the seller has actual title for it. Once you tear down to the frame you have a long expensive project on your hand. If you can cut and weld maybe your old frame can be salvaged even if its just the frame rail carrying the vin numbers. Cant tell from here what it will really take to resurrect what you have and what skills and tools you have at your disposal.

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Thanks! great advice on the vin number. I have the car registered and have the pink slip in hand with my name on it. I like your idea about the local club I will do that today. Skills.. there was a day I could take apart a motercycle engine with my eyes closed. I am mechanically minded but I am a visual learner, instruction sheets and me don't get along. I think room is my biggest problem, I have the basic tools, plus a Mig welder and time.

 

[73azbronco]

Do not cut a VIN off one frame and weld it to another, bad juju. Just explain what happened and bring proof.

Excellent idea to get what you have now titled. Then, you just explain you needed to repair using another frame.


What specifically was wrong with frame or what did you notice to have it measured?

 

[jmangi62]

No way would I buy a re-pop frame when there are guys on here selling perfectly good used frames, check out the used parts list, you'll find what you need.

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Frame shop visit:
Frame has damage in two major areas, front drivers and rear drivers side.

Front the frame is bending downward past support and body mount is pushed up at a weird angle a few degrees, almost looks like it was done on purpose.
end of frame is mangled, missing an inch or so.

The rear damage is looks to be from over heating of the metal, this weakness has caused the frame to bend a bit?? Or someone tried to straighten the drame and over cooked it?


http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420360

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42036

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420367&stc=1&d=1494451760

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/at...4510281&stc=1&d=1494451028&stc=1&d=1494451028

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420364&stc=1&d=1494451028

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420365&stc=1&d=1494451028

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420366&stc=1&d=1494451760

 

[Jamie Chriss]

Frame shop visit: left with an unfixed frame. What I can tell the front drivers side frame is bent downward, the body support looks to be bent upwards intentionally. There is a crease in the frame close to the support, the front of the frame end is crumpled in about an inch. There is a problem for sure. I would think a good metal guy could fix this? The rear frame looks like someone tried to either weld on a shock mount and over heated the frame or someone tried to straighten the frame?

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420368

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/at...=420368&stc=1&d=1494452354&stc=1&d=1494452354

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420370&stc=1&d=1494452354

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420372&stc=1&d=1494452354

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420373&stc=1&d=1494452354

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420374&stc=1&d=1494452354

 

[Steve83]

The front cracks look to be serious. The rear pics only look like the paint/undercoating is coming off - not that there are necessarily cracks or heat damage to the frame. Use a metal paint scraper to dig the black off the frame & take new pics.

...and you didn't mention what year the truck is. Put it in your signature so it always shows, like 73az, rusty, skiddy, & nut.

I made this from my bare '76 frame, which I'd sell reasonably, but IDK if you want to come get it. I'm pretty sure you don't want to try to ship it.



This photo album shows how I straightened a few minor tweaks on it:



This one shows the first eB I stripped to the frame:

 

[Jamie Chriss]

1971 Bronco, 302, AT

 

[Jamie Chriss]

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