Lets see some frames

[k20]

Im already thinking about the future of my K20. Im looking for a newer truck to DD so this one can get made over real nice. Im thinking frame off, completely box the frame, new stainless brake & fuel lines (I've been to one too many carshows), powdercoat, whole 9 yards. Anyway, when guys box their frames what are they doing about x-members? tube or what?

Also what about all the rivets? Are they using bolts instead or welding it all up solid? Im looking to stiffen it up a bunch for a future engine upgrade (north of 600ci) and with just the 496 it will twist like a semi when you get on it from a stop, and also looking to make it look 100x better. Plans are also to weld up all the unnecessary holes in the frame. Basically show truck frame minus the chrome leafsprings and neon colored wire loom, more streetrod styling than showtruck.

Any pictures to give me guidance are awesome.

 

[RudyO]

More streetrod styling than showtruck? Streetrod is show. Currently, streetrod is either totally smooth and painted, or ratted. Smooth or ugly. Your pick. In between doesn't garner attention.

The rat rod route is for people who want to hide their imperfections due to inability, but still want the wow factor. Think pizz on a weld and let it rust for patina. Initially, it was a "make due with what ya got" thing, but it's all showmanship, not craftsmanship now. It started with creativity- now you got guys adding and welding crap onto the car that makes no sense. Loved it for the first year...

The other end is gonna be the Smoothies. They've been around at least 20 years. You will have a lot of tubing blended into the frame with no rivets, bolts, seams, or welds showing. ALL blended. The more you can follow a body panel, the better. The body panel has to be smooth also. Smooth equals bland, because the normal person doesn't know what the starting point was. This is usually the group with more money than talent.

Chrome isn't good for a functional suspension.
Neon colors are soooo 80's.

On this site, function over form is the norm

 

[k20]

On this site, function over form is the norm

I've been here awhile longer than you, I've gathered that, hence why this is in the body shop and not the garage.

Also show truck is a stack framed, chromed out neon shock booted POS. Street rod is a frame, painted/powdercoated either gloss black or body color, stainless brake & fuel lines that looks good....

 

[k20]

oh and future reference, this is a show truck frame/suspension http://128.83.80.193/scarysteering/scary75alan.jpg

and this http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/cartimages/page_lg_14.jpg is an example of a streetrod frame......if you wanna call that a bland smoothie you need help.....

 

[RudyO]

Well, I'm sorry if my response to the way I read your post made you uptight... Guessing the term Streetrod is open to interpetation.

So I spent about an hour searching the net. A lot of the cross members I saw were tube. Couldn't see how they were fastened. An option you could try is highly polished stainless steel bolts.

Even though that frame you posted is nice looking from that angle. Some of the sites I searched were of monster trucks. They tend to use different shades of paint with just a spash of chrome to draw the eye. And thats what I meant about smooth = bland. Fully chromed or fully painted a solid color won't do that.

 

[k20]

nah I had a fairly crappy day at work so I was a little pissy when I got home and ready to pounce on anything....

 

[ryoken]

well, I'll post in here, why not.... my frame is pretty smoothed.... welded up all the excess holes from the firewall forward.. blasted and sanded the whole frame to clean, raw steel, zinc chromate, epoxy primer and it's gonna get flattened black Imron..

personally, I'm not a fan of powdercoating frames... touch it, drill it, etc and it's fubared down the road.. mine'll look like a Mercedes hood, and be repairable..