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who makes weld in frame plates?

RockinChevy

RockinChevy

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Who makes weld-in frame plates, for areas other than the steering box location?
I have a crack at the upper rear shock mount (stock location, passenger side) and it's getting longer. Right now the crack is 3 inches long and about 1/8 wide. Does anybody know where I can purchase the plate from so I can have someone weld it in for me?
If the frame was straight, it would be easy to just weld in a flate plate. If you guys look at your stock shock mount, you'll see the frame curves in to make clearance for the shock to mount up.

Chevy shops want $600 for 3 hours of fabbing and 10 hours of welding. No way I'm letting them weld for 10 hours, even let alone weld for 2 hours and f**k around for 8 more hours. They told me to check around, they've heard of places that fab the plates but couldn't name one....
 
If you get a flat plate, then tack weld it top and bottom to the outside of the frame, then you can heat it with a torch and bend it around the curve, tack welding as you go.

Other than that, just v-out the crack and weld it together. It's generally a pretty low-stress area, so it shouldn't need a ton of reinforcement.
 
A local steel yard sells cage floor plates (they have 3x3 and 4x4") for hella cheap... I just use them. I don't deal with bends, but a torch + some giant crescent wrenches could bend them to fit simple curves.

j
 
goldwing2000 said:
If you get a flat plate, then tack weld it top and bottom to the outside of the frame, then you can heat it with a torch and bend it around the curve, tack welding as you go.

Other than that, just v-out the crack and weld it together. It's generally a pretty low-stress area, so it shouldn't need a ton of reinforcement.
Click to expand...

v-out? what's that???
 
I don't care much for that bend in that spot, I'm never mounting shocks in that location. I wouldn't mind if that bolt hole was covered up. I already have the DIY inboarding shock crossmember installed and shocks back on.

I just want the cheapest method (which I originally thought would be buying weld in plates) and get it welded and done for. I haven't 4wheeled since the first week of October and I got the itch to wheel again since AZ weather is nice.
 
Well, crap... in that case, just cut out the bend and weld in a flat plate.

But I honestly think that if you drill a hole at the end of the crack, V it out and weld up both the crack and the shock hole, you'll probably never have another problem with it.
 
goldwing2000 said:
Well, crap... in that case, just cut out the bend and weld in a flat plate.

But I honestly think that if you drill a hole at the end of the crack, V it out and weld up both the crack and the shock hole, you'll probably never have another problem with it.
Click to expand...

So you're saying a plate won't really be necessary?
 
:thinking: ..... not a bad idea. I'll check around for a welder and git-er-done.

Thanks goldwing!
 
goldwing2000 said:
'Zactly.
Click to expand...

I would plate it anyway. There is a reason it cracked in the first place. It doesnt have to be a huge plate or cover the entire area but plate it. Drilling the hole will stop the crack, the V will allow for good penetration and you should be golden.
 
Well, it cracked in the first place because the shock was there. If he welds up the crack AND the shock hole, it should take care of it.

Welding a plate definitely wouldn't hurt but $600 seems a bit spendy.
 
goldwing2000 said:
Well, it cracked in the first place because the shock was there. If he welds up the crack AND the shock hole, it should take care of it.

Welding a plate definitely wouldn't hurt but $600 seems a bit spendy.
Click to expand...

A plate to me is a pice of flat stock 4" X6", hell even 3"X4". Im just not a fan of having to do stuff more than once.
 
spoolnaround said:
I would plate it anyway. There is a reason it cracked in the first place. It doesnt have to be a huge plate or cover the entire area but plate it. Drilling the hole will stop the crack, the V will allow for good penetration and you should be golden.
Click to expand...

The crack came from the heavy compression load from jumping my Blazer 4 feet in the air at that wash with the chewed up bank from the heavy rains.

Both top mounts are ripped from the frame. This is the only visible crack I see that is growing longer little by little... so I talked around and they all said plate it, but I guess they didn't know I won't be using that same location anymore.
 
BadAss90K5 said:
The crack came from the heavy compression load from jumping my Blazer 4 feet in the air at that wash with the chewed up bank from the heavy rains.

Both top mounts are ripped from the frame. This is the only visible crack I see that is growing longer little by little... so I talked around and they all said plate it, but I guess they didn't know I won't be using that same location anymore.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, didnt anyone tell you Blazers arent made to jump :D . Your insane!
 
spoolnaround said:
Ahhh, didnt anyone tell you Blazers arent made to jump :D . Your insane!
Click to expand...


:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

Well, it wasn't meant to be. I thought I knew the trail too well and just punched right through.... not good when I got beer with me!
 
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