frame welding

[U.P.'er J-20]

boy i sure did a number on my j-20 this time,to make a long story short i stalled my truck on a 45 degree incline with no brakes coasted back down hill 100' into a 20" tree-box is toast, and my drivers side frame rail right above the axle is about 12" lower than the other side- had a little liquid curage if you know what i mean, now i must try and straighten this mess and i'm going to have to box the frame in where it bent, this is where somebody told me not to heat the frame when i straighten it because it will make it brittle and also to be very carefull when i weld on the frame, he said to stitch weld only. does it really matter that much? because im thinking when i go to straighten the frame if its cold im going to have a better chance of cracking the frame than if it is cherry red, what do you guys think?

[Stomper]

I agree about NOT heating it, that would not be a good idea... The best way is to put it on a rack and straighten it. Most good body shops have racks; you might get a good deal... maybe.... or just break out the pipe wrenches. As far as welding to the frame, as long as you use common sense and have decent welding skills you should be fine. it's not rocket surgery... : )
~Eric

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO>>>>>YOU NEED TO TIE DOWN AND BLOCK THE FRAME THE JUST AHEAD OF THE REAR END AND JACK UP THE RAIL AT THE VERY END OF THE FRAME..YOU MUST MEASURE WHEEL BASE,TO SEE HOW MUCH THE DIIFF IS FROM SIDE TO SIDE! NO TROUBLE HEATING THE FRAME,IT;S COOL!!!YOU MORE THAN LIKE-LEEEE NEED TO PULL AND GO UP AT THE SAME TIME!!IF YOU CAN TIE THE FRAME DOWN,LIKE I SAID,HEAT IT,PULL IT,AND JACK IT UP,YOU CAN DO IT AT HOME,AND SAVE YOURSELF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS :cool: IF YOU ARE WONDERING HOW I KNOW THIS STUFF!!! I'M JUST ONE HELL OF A BODY-MAN :rolleyes: :D smile.gif

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

http://www.autobodysupply-frame-machine.com/lt3000-frame-machine-large.gif OR YOU COULD GET THIS!! ;) smile.gif

[U.P.'er J-20]

thanks a bunch, boy if i had the money that machine would be in my garage! i think the only problem im going to have is tying down the frame, i have access to a forklift maybe i will try and use that. again thank you

[J-Dime]

I see no problem with heating the frame, the key is to make it cool as slowly as possible. A quick quench freezes the grain structure as small crystals, which would lead to a brittle frame, a long cooling lets them grow more, and provides a little flex. reapplying some heat, even after its straightened, to sorta step down the temperature would work, or wrapping the area in a fireproof blanket. It might be that just air cooling is enough. It also depends on where the bend is. Right in the center of the frame would be more of a high stress point then if it were at the back. See what im sayin?

IF YOUR WONDERING HOW I KNOW THIS STUFF, I HAVE A 2 YEAR DEGREE IN WELDING TECHNOLOGY!! smile.gif tongue.gif

[JeepBountyHunter]

I too have done this once to a truck frame in a collision shop when I was in high school, heating the frame is no big deal really!!! Sounds like a must do in your case...for everthing else I agree on what Gary said above..
Good luck..you could use a rachet winch too...and a sledge...

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

Originally posted by J-Dime:
I see no problem with heating the frame, the key is to make it cool as slowly as possible. A quick quench freezes the grain structure as small crystals, which would lead to a brittle frame, a long cooling lets them grow more, and provides a little flex. reapplying some heat, even after its straightened, to sorta step down the temperature would work, or wrapping the area in a fireproof blanket. It might be that just air cooling is enough. It also depends on where the bend is. Right in the center of the frame would be more of a high stress point then if it were at the back. See what im sayin?

IF YOUR WONDERING HOW I KNOW THIS STUFF, I HAVE A 2 YEAR DEGREE IN WELDING TECHNOLOGY!! smile.gif tongue.gif THAT'S COOL!! BUT I STARTED DOING BODY WORK IN EARLY 60s.....SOOOO YOU DO THE MATH!! :D

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

http://www.protools.ws/Frame%20Equipment/Floor%20Pots/pict0011.jpg THIS WILL TIE THAT FRAME DOWN TO YOUR FLOOR! :cool: smile.gif

[J-Dime]

So I have the book smarts, and you have the street smarts, together we would be unstoppable! MUAAhaa ahaa *cough....
Either way, we both came to the same conclusion. SPARK IT UP BABY!!