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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 223 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 223 | In adding an independent front suspension on my '50 3100, you are required to "arch" the frame a little to accommodate the rack. I don't own a plasma cutter. What or how have you others completed this without the use of a plasma cutter? I have some ideas, however, you fellow bolters may have better ones. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Oxy. torch, sawsall, many small drilled holes, die grinder best.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 | Use a hole saw if you want a smooth arc. Drill a 1/4" hole in a piece of round stock, clamp it to the frame flange where you want the cutout, and use an appropriate-sized hole saw to make the cut. Smooth it out with a die grinder. Reinforce the frame around the cutout with a piece of plate welded or bolted inside the C-channel.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 678 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 678 | Hole saw. Jigsaw. Cutting disc in an angle grinder.
1951 Chevy Panel Truck
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 | Once the hole is cut, weld in a section of steel pipe to replace the piece of frame flange that gets cut away.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,298 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,298 | Man, I hate to be "that guy", but I find that weld on that pipe aesthetically unpleasant. Is it a strong weld? Maybe...
I just wanted to bring up the subject of the importance of good welds so that the inexperienced among us aim higher than a weld like that one.
I am certain that this was rectified before that truck was put back on the road.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 223 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 223 | coilover...I'm still confused as to how you cut the notch out. I may have to contact Hotrod Lincoln...I didn't follow his suggestion. I agree a hole saw would give you the cleanest looking cut with minimal grinding to smooth out. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | Okay gotcha,
One can't cut HALF a hole with a hole saw so just tack a temporary plate to the bottom of the frame the same thickness as the frame. This will give the hole saw a complete 360* cutting surface. Once through the vertical part of the frame rail then the flanges can be cut with a hacksaw or cut off wheel. Easy peasy. With a really large hole saw one needs to slow the rpm way down to keep from burning the cutting teeth. The old nasty black sulfur based cutting oil is best for this.
Evan
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,850 | The easy way is to clamp a piece of angle iron to the frame flange and let the drill bit for the hole saw penetrate the angle iron wherever it gives the arc in the frame the correct size and position. Then use a piece of black water pipe (NOT GALVANIZED!) to replace the piece of frame flange you removed.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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