Cracked frame

[Waders]

Hi all. I'm a new member with an old question. What is the best way to fix my cracked frame. It's not too bad but I want to do it right. Its behind the steering box on my 72 suburbab 2wd. I have found thousands of threads with the same basic problem but most of them are 4wd 73-87 not 2wd 67-72. Also, does anyone make a repair kit for it like the 73-87?

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Waders

Hi all. I'm a new member with an old question. What is the best way to fix my cracked frame. It's not too bad but I want to do it right. Its behind the steering box on my 72 suburbab 2wd. I have found thousands of threads with the same basic problem but most of them are 4wd 73-87 not 2wd 67-72. Also, does anyone make a repair kit for it like the 73-87?

I haven't seen a kit specifically for the 67-72 but the 2wd frames are similar enough to a square body I'm pretty sure a little persuasion could make it work. You don't really need a kit to fix it though, just a welder or access to someone who can weld it up for you.

The first thing to do is stop drill the crack to slow it down from spreading further. Find the end of the crack and drill a small hole (1/4" will do) at the end of the crack so only clean uncracked metal remains beyond the end. Do this on both ends. Many times welding without doing this can cause the crack to lengthen.

After that you should groove out the crack with a die grinder to about half way through the frame. Bend the frame back into place and tack it together as needed to keep it aligned properly. After that is done you need to do a good full penetration weld from end to end and fill in the stop drill holes. Let it cool naturally, do not quench it with water or hit it with compressed air. Only grind flush the area where the gear box bolts up so it will sit flat. Leave the rest of the weld bead intact. It will be good go as long as you didn't miss any of the crack.

You can also reinforce the area with a boxing plate on the open end of the C-shape of the frame then connect the two vertical sides with tube sleeves welded in place between them. The performance cars frames were designed this way from the factory. Don't know why they didn't think a truck could use the same gear box support Pretty much any GM car from the 70's will have the correct grade longer bolts you will need to bolt up the gear box after the modification.

Mine haven't cracked there yet but I am going to box & sleeve the area to strengthen it up so it never does crack.

[Waders]

Thanks much for the info 68 TT. I will definitely be looking into the sleeves before I proceed with paint. Hopefully I won't find too many more surprises!

[BB72CHEVKT]

I don't know the anwer to your question but I think we might be twins.

[Street Smart]

I might have a repair kit for a 68-72 truck, (`67 i think is different). I will check tomorrow at my shop.

[bowtiecharlie]

I dont know if this will help or not??? It says for a 4wd pre 73 but might work???
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm Good luck

[Street Smart]

I have a repair kit here at my shop. It`s been sittin on the self forever. It was bought for a `70 4wd project that never went anywhere. I can text you pics if you like. I have no use for it, almost tossed it couple of times. If you can use it, pay for shipping and it`s yours.
One piece looks similar to "Weld on repair kit: GU39002" in the above link from bowtieCharlie, the second part is smaller.
LMK

[Waders]

Thanks much guys. I have a buddy that's going to weld it up for me this weekend if I can get a circuit in my garage wired up for his welder. I don't think my cheap wirefeed will quite do it.

[Waders]

I don't know the anwer to your question but I think we might be twins.

Hopefully mine will look like that sometime soon. I'm planning a 4/6 drop and complete new interior. The drive train and exterior will be slowly upgraded over the next few years. I found out quick that I don't have enough time to do what I want, not to mention $$!! I will start a build thread soon.

[Waders]

I don't know the anwer to your question but I think we might be twins.

Hopefully you weren't talking about my profile picture. Lol

[BB72CHEVKT]

Originally Posted by Waders

Hopefully you weren't talking about my profile picture. Lol

Depends who you ask!