instead of boxing frame, could i truss it???

[lawdawg79]

I hear of people strengthening the frame by boxing it, but I personally don't like the idea of never seeing the inside of my frame again for purpose of running lines, and inspection.

Would trussing the frame be just as good, or good enough?? by trussing I mean a pattern like a bridge truss, probably along the lines of the Long truss design here.

 

[kennyw]

What is your end goal? Stiffening the frame from twisting?

 

[diesel4me]

A few guys I know who made home built stock car haulers using a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck simply cut and extended the frame rails,then "skip welded" a solid 1" square bar stock along the entire length of the bottom lip of the existing frame,and the extensions..the idea was the alternating "skip" welds about 2" long actually "shrank" the frame slightly as it cooled and the result was it stiffened it up dramatically..

Then they built the "bed" out of an angle iron, welded into a truss shape on each side,and decked it with 1/8" diamond plate..this acted as a truss for the frame --even without the bar stock welded under the frame's bottom lip,I doubt the frame would have bent or flexed..I rode in a few of those trucks,and they handled the weight of the stock car and tools,spare tires,etc,just as well as any factory built ramp truck,they didn't twist or sway,or feel unsafe at all..

I dont know if that method of beefing up a stock frame would be good for an off roader or not...

 

[lawdawg79]

Yes kenny, but I doubt I will ever flex it that much so maybe its pointless. Mine us gonna be more of an expo rig, but ive always had the habit of over building things. Basically I might not ever need it but if I do I have it is my way of building.

 

[blazinzuk]

It will stiffen each framerail but one of the problems that gets overlooked is the flex in between the left and right frame rail. Extra crossmembers are needed in addition to attaching those cross members properly

 

[Stomis]

It will stiffen each framerail but one of the problems that gets overlooked is the flex in between the left and right frame rail. Extra crossmembers are needed in addition to attaching those cross members properly

You need an actual X member to stop front and back shift between frame rails. Just like older corvettes had. I did this to my trooper tube frame.