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| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 28 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 28 | Ive got a 36 chev striped to the frame. I am going to remove all the stock crossmembers,except the one at the front as i already have a mustang II front end installed, and box the frame. How think should the metal I box it be? 10gauge? Any tricks on how to make the frame stay straight while I remove the crossmembers and box the frame? I was just going to weld a couple tubes to rear of the frame on the top and bottom of the frame.
Where should I make the new crossmembers? Out of what? anyone have any pics? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | I assume from what you say you plan on boxing and installing new cross members. I would not remove all cross members until you have first tack welded both rails in several places to hold the original shape. Use the same gauge steel as the original frame. Any gauge heaver won't improve strength as "a chain is no stronger than its weakest link unless you weld in a waffle effect.
Send pictures of your project and good luck.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 | Best way I have found to make new crossmembers is using a tube bender (JD2 or other similar). I would not cut out the old until you have boxed most of the frame.
If you dont have access to a bender, build from 3/16" wall 2x2 square tubing or something similar.
1949 5 Window 3100
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | See "How to Build Hot Rod Chassis" by Tex Smith. ISBN 1-878772-02-3
He covers your topic in pretty good detail. $22.95.
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats | | Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 | Stock frame was 10 gauge. Stitch 1/2" here, then move 12" then 1/2". If you try a straight continuous weld, your frame will be smiling as it will have pulled itself into a banana.
I use plenty of scrap angle tacked to the frame sections as I work. It keeps the frame sides from moving.
The problems we face today can not be addressed at the same level of intelligence we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein Or with the same level of $ - Me
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