1982 C/K 6.0L Caitlyn Mall Crawler (Interior time)

[Babaganoosh]

Make plates for the frame using the 2 and add the 3rd like you said. Then cut square holes in those for the cross tube to fit into. Weld in said cross tube. Notch for reciever tube.

Just my 2c.

Exactly what I was thinking, cutting said squares in those pieces is going to be tricky... I was just going to butt them up against it and weld around.

I'm hoping I can get away with maybe a little bit bigger for the cross tube then maybe cut a square in that and weld around it on both sides. I think that would be REALLY strong.

 

[Babaganoosh]

if you end up not usin the front receiver hitch.... i'll take it off your hands

It's a goofy setup, it's made for the 90's body style trucks. It doesn't fit the width of our trucks.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Here is my thinking, I believe the standard receiver portion is 2x2 square tubing. What would be a good thickness to go with?

I would like it to follow the save edge as the frame rotating it a few degrees like this piece of wood.

This would be a 2.5x2.5 piece and for the receiver tube cutting it like a > sign like a fish mouth welding around all side. would this be strong enough to say hold the truck in the air as long as the welds are fine?

Should look something like this.

 

[ktmoutfront]

No extra strength there. Rotational force on the square tub would be the same. Horizontal pulling also. Stop over engineering stuff.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Reason for the rotation of the tube is to be able to grab all the nuts and be flush with the frame. So not only am I over engineering it, but it is also functional.

If I didn't have a rotation on it, I think it would stick passed the frame? I'm thinking to hard on this. I have a hard time visualizing something at times.

 

[kennyw]

Why not use a round tube for the crossmember? It would be better for the access to bolts.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Didn't think about that, then I could finish it with a hole saw and even use it on the plates for the frame.

This would be perfect for my drill press. I could have it ready for the welder in a half hour.

Any objections on the fabricators?

 

[K85 Octane]

I say do it. It's different and doesn't hurt anything.

1/4" bare minimum

 

[kennyw]

Structurally, the round tube is going to be stronger than a square tube anyway.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I like the idea of round tube better, I could build it a lot cleaner.

Should I get DOM HREW? Does it really matter? I would prefer DOM sense the steering is, and it would be silly having something that needs structure be weaker then the steering.

 

[kennyw]

HREW is going to be similar to the material in the square tubing you were originally planning on and plenty strong for the application. DOM is just a little better and leaning towards over kill.

 

[kennyw]

it would be silly having something that needs structure be weaker then the steering.

I beg to differ, steering is more critical as a safety system as a minor failure could lead to a major accident. A damaged crossmember won't put you in the ditch.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I like overkill. I'll check prices and see what the difference is. Hopefully be able to get started on this tomorrow. I have the plate just need to cut and shape it.

Now I just need to figure out if I should notch the tube. create a C in the tube on both sides, or cut it in half and weld it to the square receiver portion.

Which is best? This fab stuff intrigues me way to much and I just wish I knew what would make something best. The guy that welded the steering said I did everything perfect, didn't have to prep anything.

 

[kennyw]

The size of the tube and the geometry may decide what you do more than structural requirements. A proper weld can be stronger than the base materials. But, you get more weld surface area by just notching the round tube. The longer the weld, the stronger the joint.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I'm thinking I will use 3 inch tube. I will measure it out tomorrow morning to make sure but I think it will work.

 

[mtnman]

I'm thinking I will use 3 inch tube. I will measure it out tomorrow morning to make sure but I think it will work.

I have some 3" .250 wall DOM you can HAVE....come see me @ my house!

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have some 3" .250 wall DOM you can HAVE....come see me @ my house!

That would be a geographically undesireable piece of material.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I really would do it to, but it would have to fit in a trunk of a car and I have to move 3 cars this weekend on a flatbed.

 

[mtnman]

I really would do it to, but it would have to fit in a trunk of a car and I have to move 3 cars this weekend on a flatbed.

I can cut it to whatever length you want... And a friend of mine from Phoenix is coming up this weekend.....
But if you come up here you can browse through my piles of free chevy stuff

 

[mtnman]

That would be a geographically undesireable piece of material.

Nah! It's only a 2ish hour drive!