Posted by bruce in smokey BC [162.158.146.43] on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 15:05:16 :
In Reply to: 52 FFPW Frame Cracks posted by OB [172.70.134.75] on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 13:40:23 :
I would pull the perches out, bevel out the cracks, weld them and grind it flush.
May as well pop the cross member out while you are at it.
Comes down to what you plan on doing with the truck on whether or not to plate the inside of the frame, You beating the daylights out of the truck halling wood or do you just plan on driving it on the road with the occasional load. Those cracks are from lots of repeated flexing - to some extent the metal in that area will be work hardened and tend to crack - that said I have welde dup cracks on old frames on hot rods and never had a crack repeat itself. Steering box mounts on a 4x4 that flexes - pretty much have to plate and figure out how to prevent the frame movement.
My vote - weld it up as described and leave the plates out.