I Broke my First Frame

WELCOME!!!!R),I have that same pic but mine had opened up a little more but in the same spot...

 

Yep thats where the break. I have fixed both sides in the same spot, but I did it long before the crack had progressed as far as yours has. You should also check all around the front and rear crossmembers and all the spring mount locations.

 

Ouch!! How did you do that? I've heard that the V8 intermediates are prone to frame falure just behind the front springs.

 

Anyone have some pictures of the repairs?

 

X2 that location, make sure you star weld a piece as it will happen again

 

Ran a bead along the crack, then welded a some angle iron over the frame as a patch.

 

Take your grinder and hog out the crack, fill the new larger gap with weld, grind smooth, then weld a fish plate over the crack. The fish plate looks like an elongated diamond (more surface area to spread the load). Then spray some paint on it, have a beer, admire your handy-work and watch the paint dry.

 

When mine finnally let go (Tellico) it was cracked on the inboard hangers at all four corners. I had been having a good easy day up to that point, then I lost the frame, 1 motor mount, most of the other motor mount, the tranny mount, and a windshield frame on the way out. That was a looooong day. I had a lot of help fro mguys here getting her out. Took three hours to get to the top of the hill. Once back on level ground we got the motor and tranny back in place. Six ratchet straps later, I drove it out, but it hasn't been driven since....

 

not exactly the first break on this frame but my first break in a long time
R)
btw yes this is my first post but i am not a stranger to this forum or newbie to my intermediates

 

OUCH!

Welcome DJLJeep!