Cracked the frame finally!!

[God Tool]

I finally achieved my goal this last year of running 38.5"x12.5" TSL super swampers. I was running them this past year at 10 psi and I guess that kind of steering torque on the box caused the frame to crack. I'm on a really limited budget and want to keep my stock steering for now. I was told that drilling, grinding and welding the cracks is #1. Then #2 is weld on another piece of frame rail or the ORD weld-on kit. I have all the tools to make my own patch. My dilema is if I want to keep my stock steering, I guess I should go back to a 35" or 37" tire. I only wheel maybe 3-4 days a month and nothing to crazy. I guess getting almost stuck in the snow and Jimmying my Jimmy back and forth probably really stressed my frame. I thought going down to 35 or 37" x 10.5" tsl swampers would be less stress on the frame. I also have a 295 Amp AC welder. I was going to use 7018 rod to weld on the patch. I 've been told using a DC or MIG would be better.

What you guys suggest?

 

[Chaddy]

I would get the ORD weld and bolt on braces first. Then I would think about how to run big tires safely.......If you're running 1/2 ton stuff, then I wouldnt go any bigger than a 35 inch tire. If you have a 60/14, then I would get crossover and hydro assist to run something like a 38 inch tire.

 

[God Tool]

I took out the 1/2 ton diffs and am running dana 44/14 bolt with detroit locker. The 3/4 ton diffs were practically free and I wanted the lower gears, 4:10, for better control on steep descents, plus I was told I could run larger tires which I wanted. With gas prices shooting high up here I kinda wish I kept my 1/2 ton diffs (3:73's). I don't have at the moment the $$ for cross-over\hyd. assist so I'm going to fix the frame and look for some smaller wheels\tires. A person finds out the "should not's" & "shoulds" after running bigger tires.

 

[miniwally]

Weld on frame repair kit, bolt on brace kit and save for crossover with hydro assist.

 

[SKULL CRUSHER]

i just recently did the same thing but worst, it came off lol =0( lol funny tho. Ill be getting the frame repair kit and brace kit very soon. i place on bracing the front end a little more with a engine brace kit also and boxing the fram up front. =0)

 

[God Tool]

Still cracked and mud bogging!!

Any pics of how it fallen off? Did you have far to go? Some guys on www.funinbc.com had the same thing happen and they managed to "hold" the box back on to get back to camp.

As for me I'v not had time to fix frame but I cut out a patch that I'm going to weld on from another frame and then I'll build my own brace. Went mud bogging recently so I wonder if the crack is any bigger? LOL.

Hers the patch, the red lines are where I'm going to fishmouth it. I was told to not angle them so seep as in the pic:

Heres some latest mud bogging pics. Unortunately no pics of me doing the bogs. Heres m and Jimmy. Lots of weeds on diff. I got muddy since I like my window down, lol

My Son and Jimmy:

 

[SKULL CRUSHER]

da frame

I got the truck, with someone already tried welding the gear box to fram what a nut.
I should waited on going rock wheeling and jsut should kept to the mud.
What i did was used strap ties around the gear box to hold it in place, it worked great and backed all the way up.
here is what the frame looks like horrible, im gonna have to have a pro handle this job.http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x217/dbzgt545/my%
20trucks/frame012.jpg

 

[God Tool]

Man oh man does that ever look nasty!! Keep me posted with pics as you get it fixed. I'll do the same. I hope to get at my truck soon (maybe this week, lol)

 

[SKULL CRUSHER]

i will its gonna be getting fixed starting friday =0)

 

[God Tool]

Keep me posted how much it costs!