359 Pete - What would you do?

@Hogleg on the subject of the trucks value the cut off with hub pilot hubs, and later diffs will only increase the trucks value in my opinion. Parts for the SQ100's are getting scarce and hard to get new or used. Also the Budd wheels can be worrisome because few take the time to tighten them right any more. I just thought I would add another angle to view.



On any I have ever streched I just add inner rails (full channel) vee the area to be welded and lay it together with 7018. Uphill. Wire is as strong but a DC stick is what I know. Cut the cross members in the center and weld them back together so they don't bow the frame. Disguise your extra two by putting them at the rear bunk mounting locations for 36" 48"and 63". Grind the outside weld off flush and tiger paw it. Take your time on that.

I wouldn't try to weld the diamond reinforcement plate a straight butt weld is fine. I have also seen frames ruined by a welder with no confidence so he runs stringer after stringer like he is welding a track hoe bucket. Also put the weld at a cross member between the bolts.

 

Woreout, you mind elaborating on the dismissal of my diamond plate theory?

Im just curious as to why you feel the way you do about them. Im not trying to pick a fight or anything, If you know something good as to why plates should not be used here, let's hear it. I can always learn something today.

Be well.

 

The time for the diamond plate is after a tear. A tear can really never be fixed. Also don't weld it all the way around. Leave it open at the corners. A plate won't hurt anything other than you can't put it inside because of needing that space for the inner rails. Lots of trucks are partially double framed and they don't draw alot of attention. If they are put on the outside then it's first thing an inspector See's. I want a never worked on look, even though the trained eye knows that it has. I agree that a stepped joint or an angle is stronger I just have never had any trouble with a butt joint. Getting square is key. Not filling a gap is key.

 

Sorry I didn't mean to sound like I was dismissing it. Or that it won't add strength it will.

 

Fair enough. Thank you for taking the time.

 

No harm done. The english written langauge online does not convey or translate very well meanings. Do you understand?

 

I sure do lol. It's hard to hear the tone on paper

 

I'm in the no welding of the reinforcing plate camp as well. I would imagine, depending on the length, that it would crack at the welds as the frame flexes. At least with bolts there is a little bit of room for flex.