73 k5 blank slate

[Bent77]

Get it lined up good, bolt through each hole. Heat that plate a bit and work the edges to the frame, so there’s not much for gaps. Or clamp it

weld the inner most and outer most excursions, skipping an inch or so between each weld. Try to make the welds and the gaps about the same length

 

[1300obo]

I would plug weld it along with some 2” to 3” welds on the edges. If you have cracks in the frame, I would also grind those out & weld them first. Maybe search frame repair welding too

will do, thanks

 

[1300obo]

Get it lined up good, bolt through each hole. Heat that plate a bit and work the edges to the frame, so there’s not much for gaps. Or clamp it

weld the inner most and outer most excursions, skipping an inch or so between each weld. Try to make the welds and the gaps about the same length

perfect, thank you

 

[19Tim69]

I agree with Bent 77. His explanation was better than mine. I drilled & put some plug welds in many frame repairs...
Post a pic of your plate repair

 

[Bent77]

I agree with Bent 77. His explanation was better than mine. I drilled & put some plug welds in many frame repairs...
Post a pic of your plate repair

Took two of us to get a half decent explanation! He'll get sorted
I did mine wrong, no nuns or orphans have died. Yet

 

[imiceman44]

any specific method to welding up the steering box plate? i didn't find much on youtube and i am still trying to figure out how to find info through the forums on this site. it looks like im going to spend most of the day lining up and drilling the holes to bolt it up first

Your plate didn't come with instructions?
Mine showed procedures and exact locations where to weld.
I don't think I still have it but I will look for it.

 

[imiceman44]

Here's a thread with all the info

https://ck5.com/forums/resources/ord-weld-in-frame-repair-kit.62/

 

[1300obo]

Thanks iceman, sorry for all the newbie questions guys, I'm not the metal fab guys yall are so I only get one shot at it. No instructions, came from ord, they assume you know what your doing

 

[1300obo]

So far

 

[centexk5]

I wish mine fit that well. I had to heat and hammer the crap out of mine to get it to fit and even then I’ve got 1/4” gaps at the top but I have a feeling my frame is tweaked a pretty decent amount so I’m not surprised.

 

[19Tim69]

I think this is the place for newby questions & just to throw ideas at the wall because likely someone on here has tried it & failed or tried it & it caught on

 

[1300obo]

I wish mine fit that well. I had to heat and hammer the crap out of mine to get it to fit and even then I’ve got 1/4” gaps at the top but I have a feeling my frame is tweaked a pretty decent amount so I’m not surprised.

Hey, yeah, I've been watching your suspension build and somebody tweaked it at some point for sure. Good to see centex found a good home and getting these things resurrected it what's it's all about

 

[1300obo]

Finished the side plate but my lifting help, aka sons, are both at their girlfriend's. I had similar priorities at their age. Bottom plate will have to wait til tomorrow. Thanks for everybody's help

 

[1300obo]

So far

 

[19Tim69]

Looks good...

 

[Bent77]

Pretty sure that’ll work. Chase the holes for the box with a drill bit before you get that far

 

[1300obo]

I think the holes should be true. I tried to drill only the plate and even used a dremel on the last two holes to make sure but you know how that goes. I will scare up the old box and check it out before I get too far along. thanks again

 

[centexk5]

I had to bust out a rat tail file to get a couple of mine to fit even with welding with the bolts in. They were off by just a touch.

 

[1300obo]

finished welding the lower bracket and now waiting on parts. can't believe I forgot about the spindle bearings, as hard as those suckers were to get out

 

[1300obo]

I got the front springs stripped, painted and the zero rate block on, ord says cut a hole in your u bolt plate for that long bolt. Better to do that or just trim the bolt back to stock?