Frame repair??

slowlt1 · 11-05-2009, 06:35 PM

I have a 1989 1500 4x4 Chevy Silverado. I know it doesnt have a cummins but you can still help. I bought this truck for $1200 when i turned 16 cause my parents wanted me to drive a mini van. I drove it for 3 years till i bought my new truck. I could no longer pull a trailer with it because the frame was so rotten where the trailer hitch bolts up. I just picked up a rear frame for cheap. The first place there is good metal is right between the front spring hanger and rear spring hanger. How should i make the splice? Should it be straight or angled. I want to get this done so i can give my little brother the truck for his 16ish birthday. He is already asking to borrow my brand new truck. I said when you can buy me a new one feel free to do what ever you want to it.

Thanks guys

__________________
07.5 6.7 4x4 4:10s 6 speed hand mixer 4 door short bed.
I bought a brand new truck at 19 so i wouldnt have to work on my dd/tow rig... little did i know i still would have to.

kstinson · 11-09-2009, 04:27 AM

First off let me say I am by no means a professional so take this with a grain of salt and contact a professional before trying yourself.

What I have done in the past when repair a frame is cut the frame in a squared s pattern. I don't believe this adds any strength but it sure helps when it comes time to clamp everything together.

You will want to measure, measure, measure before you make your cuts. Obviously after everything is fitted and checks out you weld it together. I would suggest a 220v MIG.

Because I am not a professional welder and would have trouble trusting this single weld. I would probably go back and do what they call a fish plate just for extra strength. Better safe than sorry when it comes to frame repair. Make sure you are getting good penetration on your welds.

__________________
2000 Black Dodge Ram 3500 Dually 5.9l 24-Valve, NV5600 6-Speed, Edge Juice/Attitude, AirDog 150, Hydroboost to keep the front end lubricated ;-)

***PA Outlaw*** · 11-09-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstinson

First off let me say I am by no means a professional so take this with a grain of salt and contact a professional before trying yourself.

What I have done in the past when repair a frame is cut the frame in a squared s pattern. I don't believe this adds any strength but it sure helps when it comes time to clamp everything together.

You will want to measure, measure, measure before you make your cuts. Obviously after everything is fitted and checks out you weld it together. I would suggest a 220v MIG.

Because I am not a professional welder and would have trouble trusting this single weld. I would probably go back and do what they call a fish plate just for extra strength. Better safe than sorry when it comes to frame repair. Make sure you are getting good penetration on your welds.

The accepted method here is to cut one side to a point in the center (of the rail) and a reverse (or a 'V') in the opposing side (left or right) in other words we usually point the left rail & 'V' the right rail, & reverse the pattern in the rear portions, so the stress points are different not equal. Plate the inside of the rail 6" past he furthest points of the weld & bolt it in do not weld the "fish plate". A welded fish plate will cause cracking in the frame following the penetration area of the weld, it is why you don't straight cut/weld the main rail. Done it here in my shop in trucks from Dakota size to tri-axle truck size (12" rails). I streached my own new tilt bed 120" (although I double framed that truck from 6' in front of the weld joint) & it's a 36,000 GVWR truck. - Just my 2 cents. - Al

__________________
'03, Quad, Dually, 4x4, HO/6-Speed, 5" Stacked, BD/AFE, Stainless Boards, Stull Stainless Grille, Pac Brake, Graphics by Victory Lane Graphics

'98, 3500XHD, "Tandem Ram", 22ft Flatbed, Tag Axle

Last edited by PA Outlaw : 11-09-2009 at 11:15 AM.

slowlt1 · 11-09-2009, 10:41 PM

ok i was planing on welding the fish plate. I have no idea how to bolt one on. What size bolts how many what spacing and such thank you very much.

__________________
07.5 6.7 4x4 4:10s 6 speed hand mixer 4 door short bed.
I bought a brand new truck at 19 so i wouldnt have to work on my dd/tow rig... little did i know i still would have to.

11-05-2009, 06:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
slowlt1 Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ofallon Missouri Posts: 131 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts slowlt1's Truck Pics	Frame repair?? I have a 1989 1500 4x4 Chevy Silverado. I know it doesnt have a cummins but you can still help. I bought this truck for $1200 when i turned 16 cause my parents wanted me to drive a mini van. I drove it for 3 years till i bought my new truck. I could no longer pull a trailer with it because the frame was so rotten where the trailer hitch bolts up. I just picked up a rear frame for cheap. The first place there is good metal is right between the front spring hanger and rear spring hanger. How should i make the splice? Should it be straight or angled. I want to get this done so i can give my little brother the truck for his 16ish birthday. He is already asking to borrow my brand new truck. I said when you can buy me a new one feel free to do what ever you want to it. Thanks guys __________________ 07.5 6.7 4x4 4:10s 6 speed hand mixer 4 door short bed. I bought a brand new truck at 19 so i wouldnt have to work on my dd/tow rig... little did i know i still would have to.

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11-09-2009, 04:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
kstinson Diesel Freak Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 802 Thanks: 2 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts kstinson's Truck Pics	First off let me say I am by no means a professional so take this with a grain of salt and contact a professional before trying yourself. What I have done in the past when repair a frame is cut the frame in a squared s pattern. I don't believe this adds any strength but it sure helps when it comes time to clamp everything together. You will want to measure, measure, measure before you make your cuts. Obviously after everything is fitted and checks out you weld it together. I would suggest a 220v MIG. Because I am not a professional welder and would have trouble trusting this single weld. I would probably go back and do what they call a fish plate just for extra strength. Better safe than sorry when it comes to frame repair. Make sure you are getting good penetration on your welds. __________________ 2000 Black Dodge Ram 3500 Dually 5.9l 24-Valve, NV5600 6-Speed, Edge Juice/Attitude, AirDog 150, Hydroboost to keep the front end lubricated ;-)

11-09-2009, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
slowlt1 Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ofallon Missouri Posts: 131 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts slowlt1's Truck Pics	ok i was planing on welding the fish plate. I have no idea how to bolt one on. What size bolts how many what spacing and such thank you very much. __________________ 07.5 6.7 4x4 4:10s 6 speed hand mixer 4 door short bed. I bought a brand new truck at 19 so i wouldnt have to work on my dd/tow rig... little did i know i still would have to.