rear frame repair options

[yepyep]

hey all i have another question for you guys the truck im working 87v20 has the rear end of the frame lopped off basically the sections the rear bumper mounts to.

Any good options for replacement weld on sections? im invisioning slide over weld on steel with predrilled bumper mount holes I did find some online but not for our trucks....or should i just build my own out of c channel?

thanks

 

[Raider L]

@yepyep,

When you say "lopped off" how much are we talking about? And for what purpose was it cut off? If it's just so the bumper would be put back on, yeah you could get some channel iron and weld the ends back on. Just make sure that you don't make it a straight up and down weld, zig zag it that provides for the best strength. A straight cut and a butt weld will break off.

 

[eskimomann209]

I always do diagonal cuts and plate the seam. But the real question is how much was cut of the ass end?
if it was only a few inches I’d be tempted to extend the bumper brackets. but remember not to use some silly bumper mounted ball or a heavy ass industrial diamond plated bumper.

I’d also go to a local wrecker and cut what you need + an extra foot or so.

 

[yepyep]

id say about a foot was cut off each end but im kinda guessing and i belive is was cut off because of rust the rest of the frame isnt rusty though so i dont know for sure

 

[Raider L]

Yeah, don't replace the frame. You'll be just asking for more trouble than you need to have to put up with. Just fix it. It's not in any critical place, and like you say it's where the bumper was bolted.

Now what you'll have to take into consideration is, what you'll need to reinforce if you plan on putting a tow bar on the end. Like @eskimomann209 said to plate it after you weld it. You weld the crack up, grind the weld down, and then put plates on the front and back and you can either weld them or a lot of people bolt the plates on.

Would you be thinking about putting a tow bar on it, bought or home made? Do it when you repair the end. Also, you'll need to either find a templet for the bumper brackets or find an old piece of frame, best choice, that has the bumper bracket holes in it and weld that on as your repair piece. Otherwise you'll have to transfer the holes in the right places and then drill those suckers! Don't screw up because your bumper will be crooked if you're off with the hole placement.

 

[yepyep]

yes your right and im allready working on that exact plan only thing is back to the original question does anybody sell those frame pieces? or am I going to have to go to the steel place and just buy some? I was hoping somebody made some so I didn't have to figure out all my bumper mount holes


its not a huge deal if not just thpught itd be more convenient