boxing a frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

IvelDesigns · 02-24-2009, 08:36 PM

so I'm getting ready to start on my '50 project, and am doing some planning. I plan to box at least the front half of the frame, but am not sure what thickness of steel to use. I have a lot of clean 3/16 steel laying around (15 sheets, 30" x 16") that i could use, but that seems to thick.

Should i go get some 1/8"?

BuiltByBrooks · 02-24-2009, 08:51 PM

I would use 1/8, Easier to cut and form....

tds · 02-24-2009, 09:22 PM

if you already have 3/16s IMO dont go buy 1/8.

off topic but do you hit any minnesota shows

tds · 02-24-2009, 09:22 PM

if you already have 3/16s IMO dont go buy 1/8.

off topic but do you hit any minnesota shows

p8ntballer1911 · 02-24-2009, 09:38 PM

Its really up to you. I did all mine with 3/16 i think. All i had then was a cut-off wheel. Now that i have a plasma cutter everything would have been 100x easier.

IvelDesigns · 02-24-2009, 09:57 PM

yeah, that's my situation too. I'm gonna need to buy stock in cut off wheels if i go the 3/16 route.

I haven't made it to any MN shows, but i'm not opposed to it. Got any good ones up that way?

Rigo's 70 C10 · 02-24-2009, 10:42 PM

What is boxing a frame, and what purpose does this serve?

**N2TRUX** · 02-24-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rigo's 70 C10

What is boxing a frame, and what purpose does this serve?

Most frame rails are C (three sided) channels. Boxing a frame is accomplished by making a filler panel for the fourth side. This makes the frame more rigid, and cleans up the appearance.

smashingchuck · 02-25-2009, 12:48 AM

I would not use 3/16. I used 1/8 on the small section where I boxed mine. Not that expensive... Just consider all the extra weight.

abadsvt · 02-25-2009, 02:48 AM

As others said. 1/8" is plenty strong and even though you have the 3/16" I still wouldn't use it. Save that for incase you have to make any brackets for the truck and buy some flat stock. Good luck and let us know how it comes out!!!!!!

Josh

Kayotic · 02-25-2009, 11:02 AM

See if you can barter, trade the 3/16" for 1/8". You are only planning to do the front half for now anyway.

Plus the extra labor should you ever need to drill or cut through it for elec., plumbing.

I would look for 1/8"

See as a matter of fact if you where close you could do my truck too, help of set the cost you were trying to avoid...

Houston54 · 02-27-2009, 12:57 PM

I boxed the frame on my 54. It certainly stiffens the ride. Suggest you identify all the through frame connection points for rear cab mounts, bed mounting, rear bumper mounting, etc so you can identify where you need to have access holes.

It goes without saying though to use short welds to keep heat build-up down. Excessive heat will warp the frame.

02-24-2009, 08:36 PM	#1
IvelDesigns Commander Taco Bello Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,232	boxing a frame so I'm getting ready to start on my '50 project, and am doing some planning. I plan to box at least the front half of the frame, but am not sure what thickness of steel to use. I have a lot of clean 3/16 steel laying around (15 sheets, 30" x 16") that i could use, but that seems to thick. Should i go get some 1/8"? __________________ Bagged '50 3600 - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2009... Bagged '69 C10 Longbed - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2007...

02-24-2009, 08:51 PM	#2
BuiltByBrooks Argon User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Qc, AZ Posts: 353	Re: boxing a frame I would use 1/8, Easier to cut and form....

02-24-2009, 09:22 PM	#3
tds Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minnesota Posts: 191	Re: boxing a frame if you already have 3/16s IMO dont go buy 1/8. off topic but do you hit any minnesota shows __________________ 1981 - C-10 SCSB Planning on putting this thing on it's rocker!

02-24-2009, 09:22 PM	#4
tds Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minnesota Posts: 191	Re: boxing a frame if you already have 3/16s IMO dont go buy 1/8. off topic but do you hit any minnesota shows __________________ 1981 - C-10 SCSB Planning on putting this thing on it's rocker!

02-24-2009, 09:38 PM	#5
p8ntballer1911 Bodydropped71 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 264	Re: boxing a frame Its really up to you. I did all mine with 3/16 i think. All i had then was a cut-off wheel. Now that i have a plasma cutter everything would have been 100x easier.

02-24-2009, 09:57 PM	#6
IvelDesigns Commander Taco Bello Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,232	Re: boxing a frame yeah, that's my situation too. I'm gonna need to buy stock in cut off wheels if i go the 3/16 route. I haven't made it to any MN shows, but i'm not opposed to it. Got any good ones up that way? __________________ Bagged '50 3600 - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2009... Bagged '69 C10 Longbed - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2007...

02-24-2009, 10:42 PM	#7
Rigo's 70 C10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 106	Re: boxing a frame What is boxing a frame, and what purpose does this serve?

02-25-2009, 12:48 AM	#9
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: boxing a frame I would not use 3/16. I used 1/8 on the small section where I boxed mine. Not that expensive... Just consider all the extra weight. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

02-25-2009, 02:48 AM	#10
abadsvt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 1,152	Re: boxing a frame As others said. 1/8" is plenty strong and even though you have the 3/16" I still wouldn't use it. Save that for incase you have to make any brackets for the truck and buy some flat stock. Good luck and let us know how it comes out!!!!!! Josh __________________ (Project truck) 1970 C10 under complete transformation My current build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212871 Other project: C5 corvette swap into 70 c10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post2413517 On Hold

02-25-2009, 11:02 AM	#11
Kayotic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 300	Re: boxing a frame See if you can barter, trade the 3/16" for 1/8". You are only planning to do the front half for now anyway. Plus the extra labor should you ever need to drill or cut through it for elec., plumbing. I would look for 1/8" See as a matter of fact if you where close you could do my truck too, help of set the cost you were trying to avoid... __________________ Atlanta Craigslist Hurst Indy Pickup Truck 3-Speed Shifter - 5010016

02-27-2009, 12:57 PM	#12
Houston54 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: location Posts: 527	Re: boxing a frame I boxed the frame on my 54. It certainly stiffens the ride. Suggest you identify all the through frame connection points for rear cab mounts, bed mounting, rear bumper mounting, etc so you can identify where you need to have access holes. It goes without saying though to use short welds to keep heat build-up down. Excessive heat will warp the frame. Attached Images



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