tweaked frame...

[Luke(MI)]

Driving back to the deer camp I hit a stump I didn't catch in time, tweaked the frame a little. It's right under the cab in the bend towards the front, just a little bulge in the top and on the side. Wondering if I should try and straighten it, brace it by welding some 1/2" steel to it, or just shim up the cab and bed to make it look straight. Will it just bend more if I leave it go or what? I'd like to still mud it, Really don't have the money to buy another truck and I hate to get the chev out, that 350 only gets about 8 mpg..

 

[Bigtman07]

Well you could always pull it back down and plate it. that usually helps strengthen things. But it may be a lot of work to pull it all. I'm not sure.

 

[Luke(MI)]

I'm thinking of maybee just grinding it smooth and welding some 1/2" plate to it and jacking up the cab and box. It's in a bad spot to pull.

 

[Bigtman07]

That's where I thought it would be. You could do that.

 

[Luke(MI)]

It will bend easier than before now if I just let it go correct? I've been really babying it and only going when I HAVE to.

 

[Bigtman07]

It really depends. From what I know. This is coming from derbying cars. A frame will bend till it gets to a point to where it will tear or break completely. Now this doesn't mean that it is weaker. Is the frame tore or bulged in any way?? Or is it just stretched the metal.

 

[Luke(MI)]

Just a small bulge about 5" long 2" across and sticks out 1/3" this is what I'm planning on cutting out with a cut off wheel on the grinder or a torch and welding 1/2" plate to both sides of it problem is it's right in the curve in the frame