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Repairing a broken frame

MrTruck805

MrTruck805

1/2 ton status
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Apr 19, 2012
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Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Hi All,

Unfortunately the frame of my 89 Fullsize Jimmy is badly broken right at the steering box (see pic below). The frame had already been welded once by the PO in the same vicinity.

I personally don't weld, and the pickings are slim in my city for shops that are willing to do the job. I think I have a guy who mainly does exhaust welding who I know is good and honest that will do it though. He said he has done one frame repair before, and it did not involve the support brackets.

I assume the support brackets are a good idea? This rough country one should be fine? http://www.roughcountry.com/frame-support-brackets-5040.html

Any information or tips you guys have would be much appreciated, as I'd like to give the guy doing the job as much information as I can. Thanks!

5ds7kw.jpg
 
Need to remove the steering box so we can see the extent of the damage. The frame kit you linked will normally repair the problem and some other bracing/boxing from the backside would be wise.
 
I cannot offer welding tech but I do have 2 tips....

#1) use the weld on brace you linked AND Offroad Design's bolt on brace for the inside of the frame too. Strength in numbers!

#2) be very careful, this is almost exactly how my 13+ year / still not finished project started. :rotfl:
 
Part # GU39001-L will work. The application is thru 87(91), that meaning up to 87 for regular pick up trucks and up to 91 for Blazer, Subs & crew cabs.
 
Brace and box the frame properly and it should be fine with a good weld job. Most places just don't want the liability if the frame comes apart 5 years down the road, your steering goes out, and you wind up wrecking in a flaming apocalyptic ball of fire that takes out a bus full of nuns. In reality steering box frame cracks are common in square bodies and there are basic and reliable fixes to the problem. If it's cracked all the way through it's a little more problematic, but not appreciably so.
 
I think the directions in the Rough Country kit(same one ORD sells) comes with pretty good directions. But basically drill out the end of the cracks to stop them from spreading weld up the cracks, then weld the patch kit on(following instructions in kit for weld placement). Its really not to bad of a job.
 
Bring it down to Valencia there is a great fab shop here and Jim knows his stuff (Higher ground Fab)
He knows all about those cracks, he was the one that had me reinforce my frame before it happened but i know he fix that so it will be safe.
I live in Ventura so can give you a ride back to your house if needed
PM me your info
 
I had Brent Eckhart out of Simi come out to my house and weld up the frame with the Rough Country kit. Did a great job. 805-551-9578
 
On a crack like that I at least put a couple very solid tacks on the frame then remove the steering box.

The steering box could very well be holding the frame together
 
If you happen to need to come north into central cal for any reason I can repair it for you correctly for a reasonable hourly rate.
 
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