Crooked Frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Misled · 08-04-2009, 10:06 PM

I'm hoping for some help.....

When I got this truck, I was amazed that it had absoultely no rust and I believe it is oem metal everywhere. When I took this truck apart, I didn't see anything that would have led me to believe that the frame was bent (body lines). Once I had it on the stand yesterday, something just didn't look right.

I put a string on it from the measured center of the front cross member to the measured center of the rear. The measurement on the front half from side to side are all off. I then put strings on either side and "eyeballed" them to line up along the rear section (I realize a small error at the back could multiply up front) and it seems to be off.

I'm assuming that the frames from the factory were symetrical. the last couple pics show what I think are wrinkles.

Are there "wrinkles" from the factory?

Is this frame "tweaked"

Anyone got a cheap SWB 2wd 1978 frame?

As always, thanks for the wealth of knowledge!!!!!

Misled

Misled · 08-04-2009, 10:07 PM

...last two...

heavychevy79 · 08-04-2009, 11:26 PM

I see where it was straightend in the 2nd from the last pic, but in the last pic
that looks like the part just behind the cab, and that one side of the frame looks bent on all trucks, it's bowed down where the other side is flat.

The wrinkled part should be repairable.

**N2TRUX** · 08-04-2009, 11:26 PM

In the last set of pics, the bottom one is correct. That is a curve the factory put there to clear those old humongous catalytic converters.

The other pic is a different story. All those wrinkles are all wrong. It appears that the frame was tweaked and someone did a hack job on trying to straighten it out.

rod86 · 08-05-2009, 05:34 AM

yep, looks like it was really bent at some stage, it should be able to be fixed, but it will take alot of heat to get the creases out, and i dont like heating chassis..

Misled · 08-08-2009, 03:08 PM

....that's what I was afraid of.....I guess I'll start looking for a donor frame!!!

Thanks folks!!!

Misled

SBTork · 08-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

....that's what I was afraid of.....I guess I'll start looking for a donor frame!!!

Thanks folks!!!

Misled

That or take the bare frame to a local frame/collision shop and see what they can do for you. It may or may not be the cheaper option.

08-04-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
Misled Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nashport, OH Posts: 549	Crooked Frame? I'm hoping for some help..... When I got this truck, I was amazed that it had absoultely no rust and I believe it is oem metal everywhere. When I took this truck apart, I didn't see anything that would have led me to believe that the frame was bent (body lines). Once I had it on the stand yesterday, something just didn't look right. I put a string on it from the measured center of the front cross member to the measured center of the rear. The measurement on the front half from side to side are all off. I then put strings on either side and "eyeballed" them to line up along the rear section (I realize a small error at the back could multiply up front) and it seems to be off. I'm assuming that the frames from the factory were symetrical. the last couple pics show what I think are wrinkles. Are there "wrinkles" from the factory? Is this frame "tweaked" Anyone got a cheap SWB 2wd 1978 frame? As always, thanks for the wealth of knowledge!!!!! Misled Attached Images

08-04-2009, 10:07 PM	#2
Misled Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nashport, OH Posts: 549	Re: Crooked Frame? ...last two... Attached Images

08-04-2009, 11:26 PM	#3
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: Crooked Frame? I see where it was straightend in the 2nd from the last pic, but in the last pic that looks like the part just behind the cab, and that one side of the frame looks bent on all trucks, it's bowed down where the other side is flat. The wrinkled part should be repairable.

08-04-2009, 11:26 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Crooked Frame? In the last set of pics, the bottom one is correct. That is a curve the factory put there to clear those old humongous catalytic converters. The other pic is a different story. All those wrinkles are all wrong. It appears that the frame was tweaked and someone did a hack job on trying to straighten it out. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

08-05-2009, 05:34 AM	#5
rod86 great southern land Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: perth - australia Posts: 6,194	Re: Crooked Frame? yep, looks like it was really bent at some stage, it should be able to be fixed, but it will take alot of heat to get the creases out, and i dont like heating chassis.. __________________ rod 86 chevy c10 silverado

08-08-2009, 03:08 PM	#6
Misled Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nashport, OH Posts: 549	Re: Crooked Frame? ....that's what I was afraid of.....I guess I'll start looking for a donor frame!!! Thanks folks!!! Misled



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