I've decided to build a new frame from scratch for my new Scrambler tub rather than go the AFW/Matkins route. I'm going to use 4"x2", .188" wall rectangular tubing, and I want to angle the rails like Mike did in this thread: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96351
I'm trying to figure out how to reinforce the butt welds at the angles from inside the rails rather than weld supports on externally.
I know that there's probably a simple solution right in front of my face, but it's too early in the morning and I haven't had enough coffee yet. :D

Dean

Dean, IMO it'd be a pain in the tookus. You could cut plates to fit inside the tubing then drill holes through the tubing to plug weld and use the rest as a backing plate. But you'd have to match the angle of the bend exactly. I really dont think you'd get all that much extra strength for your efforts. Personally if I was going to reinforce it and wanted to keep the smooth look I'd just run scab plates on the inside of the frame.

Originally posted by mike
Dean, IMO it'd be a pain in the tookus. You could cut plates to fit inside the tubing then drill holes through the tubing to plug weld and use the rest as a backing plate. But you'd have to match the angle of the bend exactly. I really dont think you'd get all that much extra strength for your efforts. Personally if I was going to reinforce it and wanted to keep the smooth look I'd just run scab plates on the inside of the frame.

What's a scab plate? Talk to me like I'm stoopid. :D

Dean

A scab plate is just a plate that reinforces a joint by running across it. In this case it'd be cut to the shape of the joint, but slightly smaller then welded across it.

I did mine like this:
http://www.admotorsports.com/jeep.org/cjl-tj/01-08-02/P1010006.JPG

You can see the POR BBS in the background :)

CJ

Yea, I played with stacking the tubes. I didnt like the way it looked. Especially the way the weldment itself looked at the joint. I played with varios methods and finally came down to a root and 2 covers was as close I could get to looking right to me, and I still didnt like it

Mike,

I know exactly what you mean. I ended up doing some trig work to get the aesthetics to work out. It's kind of an optical illusion, I don't know how to describe it any other way. Here are some pics that show the joint better:

http://www.admotorsports.com/jeep.org/cjl-tj/02-05-02/P1010025.JPG

Here shows my math skills on the tube to make it look right:

http://www.admotorsports.com/jeep.org/cjl-tj/01-19-02/P1010001.JPG

PEACE!

Sweet gotta love it, if you can draw lines you can do trig :D :beer: definatley a stout way to do it.

I did my frame "like mike" Ran it by a few ME's to criticize, because they love to find something wrong, then ran my drawings past bertha, who designed fames for busses for a few years, and his company had some affiliation with designing frames for open-wheel cars. They gave the go-ahead, so I welded the frame up good, and I expect it to be solid. Hell it's gotta be better than stock CJ frames:D