m715

I just picked up a project '85 for $500, the guy just wanted it out of his yard. Looks pretty clean, no major rust or body damage. The main problem I see, is the front drivers side shock tower has been ripped from the frame, leaving a fairly good size hole. Its about 6" to 7" long and 3' wide on the top outside corner of the frame, the hole extends from the side of the frame, over the corner to midway across the top. I have been told to cut off the passenger side shock tower, fish-plate both sides and build some new 3-point hoop shock towers. Will this hold up? Any better ideas? I'll try and post some pics soon.

Thanks for the help.

wrenchmonster

The advise you received is correct. You'll have to remove and fish plate and rebuild the metal. If your shock has torn a hole in your frame, I'd suspect you may have other problems. I'd investigate around everything attached to your frame, especically where your springs and shackles attach.

Bust out your handy dandy ultra-sound to measure metal thicknesses on your frame. I know, you probably don't have one of these, but this is how the pros do it. If you're a REALLY good welder, you can build the metal back up to look stock. Let me state again, a REALLY good welder like someone who is qualified to weld on steam boilers.

You also may want to look into finding another frame or go tubular.

My 2 cents.

-Wrench

m715

Thanks for the input Wrench.

Is it possible the damage is from the shock being too long and bottoming out. The frame looks clean and staight up front (to the eye), also the leaf springs, shackles and mounts look straight. I cant see any cracks along the frame or mounts. I did find another problem in the rear though, looks like the passenger side tire/axle might have been hit, the rear shackles and leaf spring mounts (drivers and passenger side) are all jacked towards the drivers side about an 1 1/2".
I guess I cant complain the body looks rust free and staight and the motor runs good.

wrenchmonster

Hummm. Can you say "dogtracking"? LOL. Well, it might not be too bad. Do you have any pictures?

From the best of my understanding most problems dealt with rust on the early Yotas. I'm a gen 2 fella myself, so I can't comment too much on the matter.

-Wrench