Suggestion on repair of frame

[mtburg71]

Here is a pic of my left front upper shock mount hole. As you can see in the pics it has been worn pretty bad. What suggestions or ideas are there to repair this area. The one idea I have heard was to take a washer of same thickness of the frame with the right diameter whole and weld it in the worn out area of the frame. This make take some work to grind down the washer to fit the frame or grind the frame down some to get the washer to fit. Hope I made sense. Looking for some suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[orange66fleet]

I would repair the entire section of the frame, by cutting out a piece from the top lip to the bottom. Make a hole where the original shock mount was located and weld it in. It is a really easy fix. Good luck

[1restorick]

Sir, you could just weld up the hole and install the aftermarket shock mounts that are much stronger. I have attached a link:

http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=778&page=1

[mtburg71]

Originally Posted by 1restorick

Sir, you could just weld up the hole and install the aftermarket shock mounts that are much stronger. I have attached a link:

http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=778&page=1

Looks good, but 120+ bucks. Any other ideas? Thanks, trying to save money on other parts, but if it is the best and cheapiest route, then so be it. Thanks

[Frizzle Fry]

Use a holesaw that's just bigger than the affected area. Weld bridge across the existing hole so the guide bit has something to go through. Use the same holesaw to cut a blank out of 3/16" plate. Weld it in and drill your shock mount hole.

Just don't skimp on the quality of the holesaw. Be prepared to pay ~$20 for a decent one that will make it through those two cuts. And be sure to use plenty of cutting oil.

[sick69]

I had the same issue onmy old 71. I found a large nut that would fit over the shock stud and ground the outside of the nut until it would fit in the hole. Welded it in and never had another problem with it.


I think i used a 5/8 or 3/4 nut. One of those should fit over the shock stud.



Frank

[1restorick]

Sir, the repair part is only $59.10. You receive a pair of these brackets. Welding up the frame is also a good fix. However if the truck is lowered, the aftermarket brackets correct the shock angle and prevent them from bottoming out.

[mtburg71]

Originally Posted by 1restorick

Sir, the repair part is only $59.10. You receive a pair of these brackets. Welding up the frame is also a good fix. However if the truck is lowered, the aftermarket brackets correct the shock angle and prevent them from bottoming out.

Had to take a 2nd look at the link you sent. Thanks for pointing it out.

[greg64]

Mike, I like Frank's idea of the big nut welded into the hole. Just replacing the existing metal will fix the problem, but it isn't really much stronger than stock. A grade 5 or 8 nut will be pretty tough and have a lot more heft than the frame.

Good luck,
Greg

[SIR]

...idea, wuile shopping in my local hardware store I came across some 1"x1" square plates with small
holes pre cut in the center -1/2-5/8 I think they where made by "draw tite" ( not shure) I have used them to repair shock mounts and resize and beef up frame holes just weld them in place...price 80 cents....buy a BUNCH....