1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Front Frame Rail Replacement And Crossmember Repair... And Ford Steering Box Install

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by ITLKSEZ, Dec 9, 2016.

  1. Dec 18, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    I'm glad you're ok...That could have been a life changer. :shock:

    Besides wearing a diaper...What precautions could you have taken?

    Great progress.
     
    Walt Couch likes this.
  2. Dec 18, 2016
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    966
    Nice build....never looked close at a ford box,I like it.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  3. Dec 18, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I've thought about running it past him, but I doubt it'll be an issue. Forest service roads and mild trails are probably the extent of the abuse this thing will see. Thanks for the tip. I'll check with him.
     
  4. Dec 18, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    (y)

    A typical pitman arm puller is small and doesn't contain much stored energy when tightened, so the springback is minimal. The jaws on my big gear puller are long and curved, so the stored energy is great when under tension. I knew it was going to pop, and I was sure to stay clear, but that much was a surprise. It almost knocked the torch out of my hand.
     
    Rich M. likes this.
  5. Dec 18, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    I try and leave the nut on that type of stuff when using a puller and lots of stored energy like D41/44 hubs. Only need a couple turns. Sometimes it helps to keep the puller screw centered too.
     
  6. Dec 18, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Yeah, if you want to ruin all the fun and excitement! Haha

    Seems like it should be common sense. Good tip. Thanks for making me look stoopit. :lol:
     
  7. Dec 18, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    Sometimes there is no room for the puller and a nut.
     
  8. Dec 19, 2016
    Bajatransit

    Bajatransit Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2016
    Messages:
    51
    Any reason you aren't doing reverse shackle?
     
  9. Dec 19, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    If it were mine, I probably would, but I sorta advised against it for the quirks that are inherent. With a 4" lift, the amount of driveshaft spline travel that it would need would require an aftermarket shaft. Plus there's the brake-dive issue, and this may just be me, but I've found death-wobble more frequent with reversals. I have a theory as to why, but I'll keep it to myself at the risk of sounding crazy. :)

    Going the "KISS" route on this one.
     
    Bajatransit likes this.
  10. Dec 20, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    We talked about it, and he wasn't concerned. The frame is in really good shape, and it's not going to get used hard. Before I could completely forget about it, I did one final thorough inspection around all the mounts with a wire brush and a flashlight and found a small crack at the right rear shackle mount. That was enough to warrant the time and material to secure them.

    [​IMG]

    There. Are you happy? :p
     
  11. Dec 20, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    No. Scrap it and build a new frame:sneak:
    :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  12. Dec 20, 2016
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    :D
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  13. Dec 20, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Nice work and thanks for sharing
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  14. Dec 20, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I like that mod. Very tidy, and mechanically savvy too.
     
  15. Dec 20, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Thanks Tim.
     
  16. Dec 20, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I forgot I was going to post a little "cheap trick" tidbit with my earlier post.

    I always hang onto my old worn-out grinding wheels. For plates like these, I cut the rectangular blanks with the chop saw or band saw, then trace around circular objects for the scallops. I cut out the curves with a torch, rough them in with the grinder (held perpendicularly), then find an old grinding wheel that matches the radius and hit it parallel to the plate. It makes short work of cutting a clean radius.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    1955jeepcj5inabox likes this.
  17. Dec 20, 2016
    Framer Mike P

    Framer Mike P Member

    Hopkinton, NH
    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2016
    Messages:
    217
    I wished you had worked on the assembly line back in Toledo putting in gussets like that. I had cracked my rear frame between the rear shackle hanger and the two bottom rear crossmember bolts all the way foward around the hanger to where there was only one inch of frame in front of the hanger left holding it together. It got welded back together and boxed but was not as pretty as your work. And the grinder wheel idea is awesome - Thank You!
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  18. Dec 21, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    That grinding wheel idea is great. The gussets look perfect.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  19. Dec 22, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Rough draft of the winch mount:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The frame will slide into place under the grill (the grill is currently bolted to the mount with no bushing).

    [​IMG]

    The front frame section will be bolt-in to make it easier to remove the winch from the mount.
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  20. Dec 22, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Like a glove.
     
New Posts