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Frame stiffening discussion.

83ChevyK5Blazer

83ChevyK5Blazer

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Where are some good places to start adding frame stiffness with out the addition of a full cage.
I think the frame on my f150 is worse than a Chevy with the loose noodle effect.

In the future it will get a bed cage tied to the frame when I can swing deavers and shocks, front will get either towers or tube hoops when I can get coilovers set up.

I've ditched the stock bumper and built a tube bumper, when I was building the bumper I ran with out the stocker and ended up with a cracked radiator tank. Unknown if it was just a coincidence or from nothing connecting the front of the frame.

I'm going to add another crossmember and skid for the tcase, and possibly sliders tired to the frame.
What else can I do to stiffen things up a bit.

20240714_181851.jpg
 
You might get better Ford go fast help on places like Race dezert, gofast bronco and the like. I'm not saying there's not great fab help here, it's akin to asking on the Bronco site how to mod a K5.

I had an F150 TTB 4x4 and it rode like a caddy in the dirt. Loved my 89 and used it at many desert races for chase and recovery.

That said, I beat on my 89 hard and never felt the need to stiffen the frame. Front clip and doors stayed aligned well. The time I had any issues was a 95 Bronco but it took way too many hard hits before the frame noodled.
 
Add as many crossmembers as possible, maybe add an X under the bed like @Babaganoosh was planning for his…..a cage goes a long way to stiffen a chassis….beware though, too stiff and it will start to crack in other places
 
I thought those frames were already boxed?
Or is it just the front crinkle section? Can’t remember…
 
Awesome. I’m all for this site as primary it’s mine also. I’ll see you in the prerunner section and follow your build, good luck!
 
@83ChevyK5Blazer what about making some overlays like the Deuling reinforcement plates? That might be a lot easier than boxing.
 
Yes, reinforcement / boxing of frame....

If your serious professionally built roll cages in the cab & bed will make a huge differences. These must be solidly mounted to the frame.....
 
83ChevyK5Blazer said:
Where are some good places to start adding frame stiffness with out the addition of a full cage.
I think the frame on my f150 is worse than a Chevy with the loose noodle effect.

In the future it will get a bed cage tied to the frame when I can swing deavers and shocks, front will get either towers or tube hoops when I can get coilovers set up.

I've ditched the stock bumper and built a tube bumper, when I was building the bumper I ran with out the stocker and ended up with a cracked radiator tank. Unknown if it was just a coincidence or from nothing connecting the front of the frame.

I'm going to add another crossmember and skid for the tcase, and possibly sliders tired to the frame.
What else can I do to stiffen things up a bit.

View attachment 482349
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The obvious thing probably you probably may have done is around the steering box.
Probably best to box both of those in mirror image. Box everything.
On road cars crack at the steering box.
If really serious that company that does just brand new upgrade frames for old tri chevy, corvettes etc (used by kindigit) would be ideal if expensive
 
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