frame repair

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me. I'm looking for advice on the best way to repair this frame. Key areas: steering box, rear spring mounts, rear upper shock mounts, and trans/transfer case crossmember area.

http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n382/jmottophoto/frame/

I sand blasted the frame. Then used electroylsis to get all the rust. After that a wire wheel got the rest. I now have a clean slate. The areas where the frame is very thin, rear spring and rear shock mount, should this metal be removed or weld new metal right over what's left.

 

I couldn't get your link to work for the pics.

 

No workie for me either!

 

http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n382/jmottophoto/frame/

here you guys go, I think this is the right album

 

Thanks, that is the correct link. Not sure where I went wrong.

 

you had http://http:// instead of http:// and it wasn't registering online

 

IMO, I'd look for a better one. Not to say it can't be fixed, but you're gonna have a TON of time and steel and $$ into that one. At the least you'll have to build a jig to keep it square while you cut it all away to get new steel in there. I'd bet I could find you half a dozen frames in a day up here in VT that are better than that one, and we LOVE our winter road salt up here.........

 

OUCH!

What's in the bath???

 

Washing Soda and water. Add a 12 volt 2 amp current and the rust goes away. It worked quite well.

I thought about a different frame, but I think I can fix it. I thought about a jig to hold the frame while I worked on it. I didn't know if I repaired small sections at a time and allowed time between welds so the steel could cool, if that will prevent the frame from twisting.

 

From the looks of the pump cord down in the septic tank that was more than "water and washing soda" in there!

 

Yeah thats what I was wondering...

 

That's an unused tank that I use as a cistern. It took about 800 gallons to fill. The cistern holds 500. Saves a little wear and tear on the well pump.

 

I would try and find a different frame. But if you want to fix it then I also recommend a frame jig. I am not the best welder in the world but I do know when welding steel can do some strange things even if you let it cool. Just my 2 cents. :stout::v6:

 

Looking at your pictures, there's not a lot of metal left in several places. The bottom rail of the frame is really critical to the frame's strength, plus it has to be rigid enough to resist the twisting of the spring mounts. Ideally I'd want to cut out the entire bottom rail and replace it with new, continuous metal, front to rear. Seems like a lot of material and work to me - I'd be inclined to look for another frame. Frames are comparatively easy to find - it's usually the body that rusts away. A M38A1 frame would work too, and is a stronger design.