fixing frame crack

Finally getting around to repairing a crack by the rear of the front spring perch. It is across the bottom, and extends about a quarter inch up the outside of the rail. I have already drilled a hole at the end of the crack, but in the meantime it has opened up about a sixteenth of an inch. Is it critical that I close the gap before I weld it and add fishplates? It's been sitting on jack stands with the front wheels off the ground hoping the engine weight would do the trick, but it hasn't.

 

If it were me, I'd try to get the frame back together before adding fish plates.

I took a 2 ton come-along and used it on my frame to pull parts of it together. You might try that to close the gap and weld it.

 

why close the gap?. i had the same crack on my frame. i closed the gap with weld (gaps ensure full penetration) ground it down and welded 1/4" angle plate over it.

 

It closed almost all the way with a come-a-long, so I guess I'm in good shape. Pretty easy, why didn't I think of that? Now to weld overhead. I've done it years back with a stick machine, but all I have now is a MIG. Guess I'll learn. Thanks for all the info.

 

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I had 6 different cracks in my frame, all in the front around the spring perches. A gap at the crack of a 1/16 can equal an inch or more a few feet after the crack. So I closed the gap, welded the cracks, ground them flush, then fish plated. Remember if you use diamond shaped plate, dont weld all the way to the tips. I dont remember how to word why that is. Maybe someone would like to chime in?