I need to repair the rear section of frame on my 82 project truck and I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to go about it.

Should I try and find a good section of rear frame (which will be hard as hell considering how rare these trucks are and for the fact that most of them are rusty anyhow)?
Or should I hack of the rear section of frame totally, rebuild it with some 3/16 rectangle tube and then boxing the whole frame for added strenght?

I'm personally liking the second choice but I thought I'd get some input from everyone else.

 

2 sounds good, how bad is the frame, could weld in steel plate to reinforce the frame and leave it stock then.

 

I could but it's shot till just after the rear forward spring hangers.

 

The second choice isnt too bad, just like backhalving a minitruck for custom frames, Just measure twice cut once and make everything square

 

I might have found a frame.
Checking it out this weekend.

 

You got any pics of the frame? I'd be curious to see it.

 

Which frame? mine? or the possible new one?

 

the second choice sounds like the way to go to me. I tried to fix the frame on my 84 a bunch of times with patch plates and boxing but it always cracked again if (when) i beat on it. I'd probably still have the truck if I'd put some time in fixed it right

 

I just came across this, what did you end up doing? I'm having the same issue with my 86

 

In fixing these frames you have to look at your use!!!!

If it is a daily driver with no brutal off road abuse you can likely just put in some patch plates done correct they will last a long time.

If you abuse it off road alot of rocks and hard landings I would say go with new steel and have someone bend the pieces that bend over the axles.

It can get to the point where it just is not practical to fix things any more that is a call only you can make

 

Hey im having the same issue right now im about to try to fix tomorrow. Had a quarter size hole in my frame right next to where the gas tank mounts close to the frame. Thought i could get away with grinding a bit and rust fixing and make it a few weeks but i checked it out today and the hole is huge now and a big crack is now running off of the hole and up the frame directly in front of the front rear spring shackle. I drive this daily to get to work and cant afford to have it down for a long time for repairs. My plan is to take the box off and drop the tank, cut out the hole and grind everything to add plates, tho ive never done this before and am just going on what ive seen in pictures of others projects. The crack is pretty bad though. its running almost halfway up the frame rail on both sides. so i guess the moral of the story is to take care of your frame as soon as you notice issues because the guy who had it before you probably didnt.

 

i have a parts truck i bought and the frame had patches all over the rear of it and the frame still twisted, thats why the guy sold it to me for parts. hope thats not gonna happen to me

 

Well i did it, took me all day but its damn strong. quick break down. Took my box off, disconnected fuel lines, dropped gas tank and rolled it far away from the truck, i moved the brake lines by just very carefully bending them at a few points to get them away from the frame. Took out the grinder and cut off wheel and went to work cleaning up the frame rail, cutoff wheel works great for getting in those tight spots that a big grinder can't. I had some 1/4 inch angle i saved and i made some measurements and cut off my pieces needed with a torch, grinded off the slag and mocked them up in place. I boxed in the front by connecting two angled pieces, put a large flat piece on the back and a long skinny piece on the bottom and welded everything together as i went. I then welded parts of the whole boxed in patch to the frame in places where the frame was still strong. After spraying it all down with some rust fix i mixed up some fiberglass and smoothed it out over the whole setup and then undercoated it. i used a Hobart mig welder with gas and 0.30 wire and theres no doubt in my mind that my truck would fall apart around me before that patched up frame broke. And with the finishing i did on it with the fiberglass and whatnot you cant even tell there was any frame work done unless your up close and looking for it. so thats that and maybe this will help someone else get some ideas for there own project.

 

Nice!!
Im sure pictures will help those that are unsure.