Cant weld to frame?

[dogcar3]

FWIW, I have a set of Aluminess body mount sliders for my truck. I put them through some tough abuse in Moab last month and they held up well. Frame mounting is not worth the hassle or warranty/insurance issues. The body mounts are strong enough. The Aluminess sliders use six bolts to attach to the underside of the body (not the pinch seam), but I welded them to the body in several spots just to reinforce. I had some pretty hard landings on them in Moab (this was before they were welded) and they held.

 

[4x4Hemi]

Hmmmmm you make a valid point. Is there any pictures of your mounting you could show me?

 

[dogcar3]

Hmmmmm you make a valid point. Is there any pictures of your mounting you could show me?

This is basically what mine look like now (picture is from Aluminess). I put a piece of angle iron where the blue markings are. And I also ran a few beads along the side of the bracket. It is surprisingly solid. I was going to try high lifting off them when I get a chance.

If I remember I will try to get pictures of my actual mounts.

In case the picture doesn't display, like it didn't for me, the photo is in my profile: http://www.ramforum.com/members/dogcar3-albums-misc.html

 

[4x4Hemi]

Those do look sturdy!


So i called a few dealerships service department and all of them said the frame is NOT heat treated. it is mild steel.

Im still thinking about the body mount though, im bring the steps over to a welder tonight and were going to discuss our options, i will as him about making some brackets for the body mounts, maybe even just weld them onto the body mounts, then i have nooooo worries when it comes to any inspections, frame cracking, or anything, even though i likely wouldnt even have a problem since its not heat treated

 

[jlb]

To be honest I looked under my truck today, and it seems like welding/drilling the frame is not necessary at all.

There are 3 body mounts per side which are very stout, and come out near the edge of the body. There are also lots of pre-tapped holes in the frame (they are drilled to direct strain through the frame and actually strengthen it) which are large enough for 3/8 bolts which in grade 8 should be more than adequate for your purposes to the tune of 3 BMs per side plus 3-4 bolts. If you brake/bend that you have other issues lol.

 

[4x4Hemi]

The body mounts does no seem like a bady idea. i was out there looking at them as well and they do seem pretty stout and easily accessible for welding onto them.

 

[jlb]

I was envisioning you using the body mount bolts to mount your sliders... You could put a plate in there, and be fine. The thing is welding=not removable=harder to repair.

I would just use those for a bolt mount, not a welding location.

 

[4x4Hemi]

well problem is he would have to change all my mounts on the slider already and then make new mounts for them. Id like bolt on for sure, it would be nice to have them bolt to the body mounts for sure, ill see what he says tomorrow.

he wanted 300 bucks to put a little bit of a Z bend in em and weld em to the frame. which seems extremely high to me. since i paid 500 to have em built...

 

[Cowboy345]

Cowboy, I think he was planning on using a MIG, so no undercut anyway. Although in this case a TIG would probably be better (more precise, stronger weld), although it would result in more heat to the frame, and the problems with undercut...

What about using the body mounts for a couple of your brackets? Those a f***ing strong, and they seem reasonably convenient, that would at least be a couple less holes to worry about...

I respectfully disagre, to much heat with a mig will cause undercut epecially in the 3g or vetical position. Tig welding for EXPERINCED welders is the strongest however, for begginers it is not. I love tig welding steel even though I took 2nd place in the regional skills usa competion I am not confedinet enough to tig weld to a frame because I'm left handed and have a tendency of dragging the filler rod. didnt mean to steal your thread!

 

[4x4Hemi]

No man go right ahead! discuss welding as you please



K so plan is (doing it tomorrow afternoon)

Cutting the post now, moving them onto the correct spots on the steps, in line with the body mounts, then welding a 90 degree w/ a gusset for stength. 4 bolts will go to the front and back body mount, and 8 will on the middle body mount.