i have to get a new frame

[86chevyk20]

Sooo my truck has a new engine, transmission ,axles, bed, cab , interior,tires and i just painted it last spring!!! i have 2 major cracks in my frame on the passanger side. the cracks are in the frame where the spring perch bolts to the frame.


This blows!! i felt like i got kicked in the nuts when i foound it. ANd the surrounding area is thin. I will never ever ever ever buy a plow truck again ( i live in buffalo) i am not going to patch this because it involves a heavy structural point the surrounding frame is thin


SO....i am looking for a 80s 3/4 ton frame. i am willing to drive to pick it up.


All 6 years of hard work and i find this. I guess we all live and learn

Liam

 

[Jims86]

Sooo my truck has a new engine, transmission ,axles, bed, cab , interior,tires and i just painted it last spring!!! i have 2 major cracks in my frame on the passanger side. the cracks are in the frame where the spring perch bolts to the frame.


This blows!! i felt like i got kicked in the nuts when i foound it. ANd the surrounding area is thin. I will never ever ever ever buy a plow truck again ( i live in buffalo) i am not going to patch this because it involves a heavy structural point the surrounding frame is thin


SO....i am looking for a 80s 3/4 ton frame. i am willing to drive to pick it up.


All 6 years of hard work and i find this. I guess we all live and learn

Liam

You should be able to bolster them up by adding some plates...maybe box the frame in those spots.

 

[HotRodPC]

Sooo my truck has a new engine, transmission ,axles, bed, cab , interior,tires and i just painted it last spring!!! i have 2 major cracks in my frame on the passanger side. the cracks are in the frame where the spring perch bolts to the frame.


This blows!! i felt like i got kicked in the nuts when i foound it. ANd the surrounding area is thin. I will never ever ever ever buy a plow truck again ( i live in buffalo) i am not going to patch this because it involves a heavy structural point the surrounding frame is thin


SO....i am looking for a 80s 3/4 ton frame. i am willing to drive to pick it up.


All 6 years of hard work and i find this. I guess we all live and learn

Liam

IF it's just cracked at this point and nothing has yet moved, You might be able to save it as Jim suggested.

However, where does the patching stop. I only say that cuz you mention Plow Truck. I'm with you, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER buy a plow truck. Unless it's just for parts. When a vehicles main purpose is to drive it in bad weather and saltly roads, you be assured, the rust damage is going to exist. Is there an album on how your truck is now?

Don't be to upset. Look at is as an opportunity. 1/2 ton frame will work too. You'll want to find an 81-87 1/2 or 3/4 ton, and WTH, even if you found a 1 ton frame, go for it.

It's a great time to start with a nice clean frame, rust protect it, then transfer your body. And chances are, you'll score a good roller instead of just a frame, and look at all the spare parts that can be sold or used.

 

[86chevyk20]

i found a 3/4 ton frame in PA, 5 hrs from me that is super clearn. the guy sent lots of pics.
He wanta $125 for it!!! but...its a 74 3/4 frame.. I know there are some differences but it should work right??

 

[Old77]

Yes that should work and 125 seems pretty reasonable. Is it just a bare frame or does it come with axles or anything?

 

[86chevyk20]

are you 100% sure it will work? and comes with springs and steering box lol.

i just want toi make sure because its a 5 hr drive from buffalo hah

 

[Old77]

No, I'm not 100% sure (maybe 80% ) but Jim or HRPC will chime and they'll know 100% Jim's fix suggestion is also a good option and will be a little bit less work.

 

[bucket]

It's a little different, but you can use it. The biggest difference is you need to use the 70's body mounts to match the 70's frame. The front frame horns are shaped different, but your bumper should still bolt up. If you have front Quad Shocks, you will have to drill the holes in the frame for the brackets. You *might* need to use a 70's style transmission crossmember too.

 

[Old77]

It's a little different, but you can use it. The biggest difference is you need to use the 70's body mounts to match the 70's frame. The front frame horns are shaped different, but your bumper should still bolt up. If you have front Quad Shocks, you will have to drill the holes in the frame for the brackets. You *might* need to use a 70's style transmission crossmember too.

See I knew someone would know 100%

 

[HotRodPC]

Yup Go get it !!! Get you a new set of 74 Frame/Body Bushings, and worse case scneario you might have to use a 73-80 front bumper, but as bucket said, you should be able to get your 86 bumper to fit it.

IIRC, you can get a late front bumper to bolt on an early frame, but you can't get an early bumper to bolt on a late frame.

And $125 is a great deal. That even leaves some room for fuel expenses to go pick it up.

 

[Jims86]

The cracks may be a result of the plow, are you using it as a plow truck?

 

[skysurfer]

The cracks are in the frame where the spring perch bolts to the frame.

My brain isn't firing on all cylinders today so this may be a stupid question but...are we talking about the front end or the back end?

 

[HotRodPC]

The cracks may be a result of the plow, are you using it as a plow truck?

You're right. I 1st ASS U ME D, it was rust for sure and the back springs, BUT, he does have leafs in the front too, and being on the passenger side, the front right is going to get alot more stress in a plow truck. More weight being pushed on the right side, and getting close enough to the shoulder on the right side, no telling what could have been hit. Light Duty plow trucks do get abused, but normally it's the rust that kills them first.

 

[bucket]

I though it was in the rear.

Yup Go get it !!! Get you a new set of 74 Frame/Body Bushings, and worse case scneario you might have to use a 73-80 front bumper, but as bucket said, you should be able to get your 86 bumper to fit it.

IIRC, you can get a late front bumper to bolt on an early frame, but you can't get an early bumper to bolt on a late frame.

And $125 is a great deal. That even leaves some room for fuel expenses to go pick it up.

My brother in law had an '83 with the 70's bumper on it, and I'm fixing to do the same thing. I've seen the 80's bumper on 70's trucks too.

 

[philjafo]

Once you get your new frame, shop around for a sandblasting company. I'm in the middle of a frame up on a 49 Plymouth and had the bare frame blasted and primed for 2 bills.