Cracks are closer to the cab than the brace. Brace also looks loose on the frame so that might be part of it too.
CK5
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Obviously we stitch welded the repair plate according to the instructions, but does anyone know the reasoning behind not fully welding the perimeter of the patch piece?
The only thing I can think of is possibly to let it breathe/drain so you don't run into rust jacking issues between the two plates. But I'm sure that will still happen in rusty climates.
I was told by an old guy who had done lots of truck frame stretch work, that an insert plate shouldn't get fully welded as it makes a place for flex between the two pieces of steel. He told me how C channel frames flex in ways that may be difficult to fully understand and too much rigidity can cause problems. He also showed me what to do when I shortened my '70, which so far has not given me any problems, while we were stretching and inserring a Freightliner to 300" WB.
So far, my frame has been good.
You could use seam sealer along the top and sides, or just a good amount of primer and paint. Or all three.
I was contemplating this issue the whole time and that’s the reason that makes the most sense, to allow for some flex.
If you harden 1 spot too much, it's just gonna crack at the end of that reinforcement. Needs to be able to share some flex.
I got started on my shackle flip over the weekend.
I was able to get the old hangers cut off pretty easily. Only took about 15 minutes per side using mostly a cut off wheel, grinding wheel and BFH. I did use the air chisel on a few of them, but it wasn't really necessary, just an easier angle on the bottom rivets.
Painted the area up with some satin black.
Unfortunately when I went to bolt up the new diy4x hangers I found a problem. I took a (probably more than 1) good hit to the bottom of my fuel tank and it actually bent up the frame rails. I had to drop the fuel tank in order to fix that first.
Because the frame is so flimsy, I was able to fix the rails with nothing but a pair of vise grips and some elbow grease.
This afternoon I'll get the hangers... hung and reinstall the tank.
Next step will be to pull apart my spring pack so that I can cycle the suspension and see where I need to trim and add bump stops.
I was able to get the old hangers cut off pretty easily. Only took about 15 minutes per side using mostly a cut off wheel, grinding wheel and BFH. I did use the air chisel on a few of them, but it wasn't really necessary, just an easier angle on the bottom rivets.
Painted the area up with some satin black.
Unfortunately when I went to bolt up the new diy4x hangers I found a problem. I took a (probably more than 1) good hit to the bottom of my fuel tank and it actually bent up the frame rails. I had to drop the fuel tank in order to fix that first.
Because the frame is so flimsy, I was able to fix the rails with nothing but a pair of vise grips and some elbow grease.
This afternoon I'll get the hangers... hung and reinstall the tank.
Next step will be to pull apart my spring pack so that I can cycle the suspension and see where I need to trim and add bump stops.
It's crazy how easily the frame bends on these era vehicles. I did a shackle flip on my '72 once upon a time and I remember putting a dent in the rail trying to chisel off the hangers.
Time to box it? 
I mean MAW....
I mean MAW....
lol, that is a can of worms I am not ready to open just yet. I do plan a cage this summer, so hopefully that will do what I need to stiffen things up.Time to box it?
Bolting up the diy4x shackle hanger took a lot longer than I had hoped. When I got them up in place, the bolt holes didn't line up.
I suspect this is due to the frame being damaged back here. I was considering notching the bracket, but after using some c-clamps and a few other things I was able to get the holes to line up well enough to start the bolts.
Looks good and solid now, and actually looks like it will reinforce the frame a bit.
I then spent way too much time cleaning up my old shackles only to realize that I cant use them anyway.
Oh well, it gave me the excuse to make some adjustable shackles out of angle iron to test various lengths before buying new ones.
I got the spring pack taken apart and bolted in so I can cycle the suspension.
I'll reinstall the tank and axle today and start measuring for bump stops.
I suspect this is due to the frame being damaged back here. I was considering notching the bracket, but after using some c-clamps and a few other things I was able to get the holes to line up well enough to start the bolts.
Looks good and solid now, and actually looks like it will reinforce the frame a bit.
I then spent way too much time cleaning up my old shackles only to realize that I cant use them anyway.
Oh well, it gave me the excuse to make some adjustable shackles out of angle iron to test various lengths before buying new ones.
I got the spring pack taken apart and bolted in so I can cycle the suspension.
I'll reinstall the tank and axle today and start measuring for bump stops.
You should keep the angle iron. Start a new trend.
Yeah, I could keep a whole pile of them in the blazer and see how many of them I could bend at BB before @ktmoutfront and @Bent77 kicked me off the trails.
70's high jacking kit right there. Won't have to worry about the bumper draging.
My frame repair kit is welded completely all the way around, haven't killed any nuns yet. The frame is also plated with 3/16's from the front of the frame to the front cab mounts along with the hoops double welded to the frame and plates.
I didnt get anything done on the suspension last night. I had my trailer here and decided it was a good time to finish installing the winch.
I have it mounted on a drop hitch installed upside down in order to improve the angle of the cable when dragging something up the ramp.
I got the wiring finished up so that its tied into the 7 pin harness so the truck can charge the battery. Also have a solar trickle charger installed.
Hopefully that is it for side projects for a bit so I can finish up the blazer suspension.
I have it mounted on a drop hitch installed upside down in order to improve the angle of the cable when dragging something up the ramp.
I got the wiring finished up so that its tied into the 7 pin harness so the truck can charge the battery. Also have a solar trickle charger installed.
Hopefully that is it for side projects for a bit so I can finish up the blazer suspension.
Were you working in the rain?
