frame straightening

I've got my '67 stripped almost to the frame. Before I get it completely bare, I need to figure out exactly how to procede. The frame only has surface rust, but it has been ridden hard. There are many cracks, booger welds, poor patches, and spring hangers that I'm not entirely sure are placed correctly. On top of that, some of the measurements I've taken are showing 5/8"-7/8" difference in height, from one side to the other.
It appears that I'm going to have to take the frame to a shop to get it straightened. IIRC, the shop will need to have a rolling chassis, rather than a bare frame.
Should I
a.) repair the cracks and box the frame before taking it to get straightened.
b.) get it straightened, then repair and box.
c.) repair the cracks, get it straightened, then box.

No matter the order, the frame is going to get fully boxed. I'm a firm believer that the suspension is supposed to do the flexing, not the frame.

Any and all suggestions, ideas, and experiences are welcome.
Thanks!

 

X2 or C

 

Does it have to be perfect? If so, then go and re-do all the welding after you decide what "straight" is. Then box away.

If I wanted perfection... I would consider a NEW frame! Can't remember who makes them, but they are cost effective (and very nice).

I probably am driving worse...

-Hill

 

My plan would probably be "C".

 

The frame is tweaked, but definitely worth salvaging. Aftermarket frames are very spendy and from reports I've heard, often don't really fit right. The repairs and boxing are well within my ability, so that part really isn't a big deal.

 

CO seems to have a lot of Jeep parts available. You might devote a month or two to searching for a reasonably priced (ie less than $100-150) frame, then go ahead with repairing yours.

For less than an inch difference in height, I don't know that it's worthwhile to try and straighten the frame. Scope out some places that might do the work, and ask what their "good enough" spec would be. These frames flex a lot in driving, and I'd imagine the level measurement could change from day to day.

 

When I stripped my frame and painted it 2 years ago, my frame while there were no cracks had a small bend in it. The bend was on the passenger side frame rail right above the axle bumper, the frame bend measured about 3/4", the frame shops said it would be almost futile for such a small bend on a Jeep frame. I took the frame to work and mounted it on our mold rack and straightened it out, 3 months later the bend was back just as the frame shops had told me it would be, while the bend is not as bad as it was its still there. Fix your cracks and box around your springs maybe, but if the frame is tweaked a little like you said it might be useless to try and straighten it for such a small amount. YMMV

 

John,

FWIW, I just pulled a cowl from a junkyard 63 CJ5 that seemed to have a good frame on it. I called the manager of the yard this morning and he said he still had the jeep in the yard. He said he wanted $150 for the bare frame if you took everything off. I'd be glad to help you get it stripped, if you'd like. I can't remember if you have a camper on your truck or not, but if you have a bare bed or a shell on it, the frame would probably fit inside and you wouldn't have to haul your car trailer here to Denver. Let me know what you want to do. The yard is about 15 miles south of me, so I can run down and get some pics, if you need them.

tommy b