The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Frame Reinforce

I have a 58 half ton step side and the frame has the average rust plus all those years of age. I was considering using a piece of 3 inch angle iron to strap inside the frame against the top and bottom flange with 3 feet under the bed and 3 feet under the cab. It would give me a sense of security when I load it down heavy with sand or gravel. Can the angle be drilled and bolted or should it be welded. Would drilling weaken the frame more or would welding do more damage than good? The metal on these old truck frames don't look to be over 1/8 of an inch thick. What do you think guys?

For rigidity purposes you may wish
to consider frame "boxing" plates .... I suspect
that with these in place, fore and aft in the frame you'd
gain much more strength. Boxing plate kits are sold by several aftermarket
suppliers.
my 2 cents
mike

Another question to ask is:
If you are going to overload the truck so much that you are concerned the frame is in danger of collapsing, are you sure you are comfortable that the other parts of the truck (springs, axles, brakes, tires etc.) are all up to the job?

The PO of my truck had put 2x8 steel channel in the frame . He had used the existing holes in the frame. He had added overload springs and a diamond plate bed. I think the truck was a scrap hauler. I removed all that and used the frame boxing plates . They fit inside the frame perfect and we welded them into place. Looks much neater and is just as strong. Its a pretty beefy frame . If its that rusty I would look at replacing it. My 2 sence

"We're going to need a bigger boat....." er, truck!

If it was Kenworth Motor Truck company they would do the channel either inside or outside the frame, like was mentioned 2 posts above. It is the better way to go. And maintains the originality of the frame for some future owner of it. Car frames and truck frames are 2 different animals. That is why Kenworth will "Bolt" the channels together and not weld them, it allows some movement weld doesn't. If you don't know where the stress and strain is when welding you may just end up creating a high stress area, that at some point in time will crack and fail, you have to remember these old truck frames were designed to flex. Too much monkey see monkey do in the hot rod bussiness. And zero engineering, not mentioning the goofing up of parts that aren't being made anymore. If you desire to cut and box and weld. Start fresh with nice rectangular box steel and build a frame from scratch.

I think I will go with the rail bolted inside the frame using the holes that are already there. I use the truck to haul sand , gravel and bagged concrete for here at home for projects to keep from unloading and reloading my regular work truck. I have seen many late model trucks with the sag between the cab and bed from overloading.There is a normal amount of surface rust on the frame like any other work truck that earns its keep.I think if I balance the weight out inside the bed and not load to the extreme front or back it will be ok.I've worked out of these trucks doing masonry in past years and I know they are up to the job but this is added security for the age of the truck.(Just like me)