Has anyone built their own frame?

[GEORGIA GABE]

I am thinking about building my own frame for the K5. Mine has been tweaked and bent in so many different ways that it is beyond repair. I am going to wheel it like it is for a while, but am thinking about building my own frame out of box tubing. I was just wondering if anyone had done this before? Worst case scenario is I just use the spare frame I have sitting out back of the shop and box it before I swap them out. But I think a full box frame would be the way to go.

gabe

 

[wayne]

I think it would be pretty easy to build your own using the spare frame for measurements. Plus you can cut any mounts you need off the stock frame to put on the homemade one. I say go for it and let us know how it goes.

 

[thatK30guy]

Ringmaster4x4 (something like that) made one for his 1st gen blazer.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Do you have some kind of a jig to keep it square, inplane, symetrical? I think a tube frame would be bad ass but I would want to do it right. Not having a frame jig would concern me. You would'nt want it to track off or have a lean to it cause it was'nt square. Just a thought. If you have the means, go for it.

 

[GEORGIA GABE]

I would be building it on the floor, It is level. No matter what It would be better than the current. It leans to the passanger side pretty bad. Thats what prompted this to start with. But I would build a jig for it anyways. I have a huge welding table that I can tack everything to and level it.
gabe

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I bet if any of us measured the tolerances on our frames you would be astounded by how far off they are

With the work required to build a new frame I would be tempted to use round tube rather than square. Even if you want to keep the K5 look, round tubing is a better structural member than rectangular.

 

[vortec]

I bet if any of us measured the tolerances on our frames you would be astounded by how far off they are

i was actually surprised in the opposite way. as old as it is and as much as i've wheeled it, i thought it would be pretty messed up, but when i installed my lift kit on saturday, pretty much everything lined up well. nothing took more than a few whacks with a deadblow to shift into place.

one advantage of a homebrew frame might be reduced weight, which these trucks can always benefit from. on the other hand, maybe you should just build a cage at the same time and really make things stiff and strong.

it's best to eyeball everything. measuring is just a hassle you don't need.

 

[GEORGIA GABE]

I bet if any of us measured the tolerances on our frames you would be astounded by how far off they are

With the work required to build a new frame I would be tempted to use round tube rather than square. Even if you want to keep the K5 look, round tubing is a better structural member than rectangular.

The benefit of using square tube is the mounting of the skids, transfer cases, engine, body mounts, winch ect ect ect.

I already have a cage, here is what it looks like currently.

 

[Rollcenter]

Well yes I have built frames but not for 4x4. And you can do a real good job without a chassis plate. First take your tape and get your measurements that you need then pick 4 points in the floor and drill and set anchors hight depends on you I set mine so I can work without to much discomfort now you have fixed points to start with. get your 2x6 box and tack into place side rails on your anchor points now you have your starting point. From there its just a matter of square. Do make it high enough to roll axles and all assorted things under it for mock up. Hope this helps.