frame beef

My old '57 CJ5 frame is getting to thin and I need to replace it! I have a '74 5 frame (3" longer) and I want to strength'n it by filling holes and boxing it. On my old frame I oxy/acet. welded box sections in,in high load areas.
The question is what is the prefered way to weld on a frame, MIG, TIG or stick and what rod/wire? Also the idea of welding up the unused holes? I do have some punchings from a machine shop to fill holes so there isn't to much heat buildup welding? I just saw an art. on beefing a frame and they used 3/16th cold rolled plate (they said it was more uniform and stronger) I was going to use 1/8th plate for the box. AND if you box the frame is there a prefered way to access the frame for the trans/transfer cross member, and other brackets that need to be removable, welding nuts to the inside, drill holes in the box section and etc.???

Hey, Thanks, Dale

 

Mig is OK and what I do. Tig is best, but not for most. I boxed mine with 1/8". Some strap the top also. I did not. I don't like a nut welded inside the frame. Locating it is a one shot deal and if you trip the threads you are *&^%. I like to use bolts though a boxed frame. Just sleeve the frame(over drill the hole and slip a pipe nipple in the frame and flush weld) so you won't crush it.

 

Yes, I have done that sleeve thing with my spring reversal, shackel through the frame thing, I like that! I was going to use 1/8" plate for the box, how 'bout using a chunk of flat plate (rather than an a nut) so if you strip the threads you can drill and retap to a larger size?
To add, I understand that frames are more of a high tensile (carbon) steel than mild steel (hence the name mild) and friends (?) said that welding, even with a mild steel rod, that the parent metal will give a mix that will give a strong union. I also understand that welding, an inch here and an inch there, is better than a continuous weld run, read reduced warping.
At one time I saw a jeep racer that strapped his frame with 3/8x1.5 flat stock??? I'm sure it made it stronger, but what a way to get a 3/4" body lift???

 

Maybe I should ask the question, what is everybody welding with? I am using a stick welder (lincoln 225) and my favorite rod is 6011, I also have the oxy-acetylene set up
I am thinking about buying a new one am am wondering what everybody else is using and for what???

Thanks, Dale

 

If you use that well it works. I still use my stick for my frame work.