Rear frame cross ties to strengthen it

[four_by_ken]

I saw a truck a while back that had some cross ties in an X that ran from side to side.

Here in MI, we wheel in the mud... a lot. And sometimes gets stuck... REAL stuck. Which requires some real nice yanks to get out... multiple times. Anyways, you get the idea.

I am thinking about doing something similar with my K5. Try to strengthen the rear end up for these good yanks. Think it will make a difference?

 

[76zimmer]

Ken, I sure think it would. I think running an X crossmember, or a 3 dimensional plate at least as tall as the frame rails is a good idea. One that would go from side to side and be welded to the top frame rails, as well as the bottom frame rails, to prevent twist of the frame from side to side. I plan on doing this with mine, as I took out the transfer case crossmember, and that one tied the top rails to the crossmember that goes side to side on the bottom.

 

[four_by_ken]

...or a 3 dimensional plate at least as tall as the frame rails is a good idea. One that would go from side to side and be welded to the top frame rails, as well as the bottom frame rails, to prevent twist of the frame from side to side. I plan on doing this with mine, as I took out the transfer case crossmember, and that one tied the top rails to the crossmember that goes side to side on the bottom.

Not quite sure I fully follow you. Top rails? There is only a left and a right frame rail. Are you talking about a full plate from side to side sitting on top of the frame?

 

[blazinzuk]

The idea here to really make something strong is to increase the area in which the load is spread. So start with your tow points, I just welded a peice of rec. tube in the rear of the frame. Then brace, run stringers to other parts of the frame on our frames it is strongest ( assuming its not boxed) to tie into the top side and bottom of the frame. I have been stuff frame deep(44" tires) in mud and been pulled with a 100 ft rope, truck hitting about 20 -25 (if you dont' think this is fast try it!!!!) when it hits the end of the rope and no problems so far

In this pic you can see the extra bracing we added behind the bar where the shackles are welded. Plus the bar is welded completely around

 

[four_by_ken]

My bumper and tow points are fine. If something comes loose with my bumper and tow points, I am in serious trouble. I have plate steel that is bolted to the frame sections that is all tied into the bumper, etc. Its solid. When I get home I can post pictures of that.

This post is more concerned with tweaking the whole flippin' truck when yanking out. I know all about big pulls and big trucks... thats the reason I want to strengthen up the rear of the truck some.

I want to make sure that the rear section of frame will not twist/bend/etc. Like between the driver/passenger seat back to the bumper.

 

[blazinzuk]

Oh I see, well it still hold true about tying in the top bottom and side of the frame on our trucks. I have two extra crossmembers on my truck, we shortened the frame so didn't have any crossmembers from the cab back. Like I said my truck has been jerked on pretty dang hard in rocks and mud and drug across rocks, I think one or two extra would make it plenty strong.

But as I said the key here is tying in all three sides of the original frame

Spreading the load applys here too. make your frame tie ins as wide and long as you can.

 

[four_by_ken]

I could be at either end of the strap with guys like this.

A straight pull and you are fine. But, if you have to be off to the side some, I want to make sure nothing gets tweaked. I do agree that tieing it all in together is best... which is what I want to do with the X bracing. Tie the frame sides in with the bumper and pull points.