How is everyone beefing up thier frames to prevent frame breakage on the chevys around here I'm thinking of boxing up the frame, any other ideas?

Damn going to box your frame? I thoght my 73' frame was plenty strong. I would only go through all that work if i was jumping it on a regular basis. But then i'm a lazy ass too... lol

Originally posted by Red Chevy Girl
How is everyone beefing up thier frames to prevent frame breakage on the chevys around here I'm thinking of boxing up the frame, any other ideas?

Two things - first go to www.offroaddesign.com and look at their steering box brace - good stuff. Costs about $95 I believe. Second thing to do, and Stephen Watson of Off Road Design can help with this also, is the weld on fishplates for around the steering box. Using both these is about as bulletproof as you can make that area.

The only real frame issues that chevy has is the area around where the steering box mounts. If you run large tires the mounting bolts that secure it to the frame work loose. With the added weight and resistance that the larger tires, and the loose bolts on the box, it causes the frame to crack. I've actually seen people rip that area of there frame completely off! They sell preformed plates that are welded in this area to prevent this from happening. I have also seen this area boxed and braced for added strength.:skull:

If it's on an '80's model or later truck, you really only need to be concerned about the place around the steering box. I got a steering box brace from ORD and it fixed all kinds of driveability issues...and mine's not cracked

I know that on Theresa's (whiteknight) old K5 Blazer the frame had major problems. A couple of times we were out wheelin and the body mount tabs ripped right off the frame. I think they used a 1 ton frame under the new Baby Blazer body.

I've got the steering box kit on there and it hasn't helped to its just cracking all over on of my early trips this summer it cracked to the point that it disconected the spring perch from the frame in front of the box I've had that spot fixed routinely, It also has cracked on both sides at the cross member then there is the rear where the shocks took that out completely (thats why I don't run rear shocks anymore) there are several other places that have cracked and been fixed so its time to find a perment fix to this problem. I don't jump this truck in any way shape or form, all it does is rock crawl.

Originally posted by Red Chevy Girl
I've got the steering box kit on there and it hasn't helped to its just cracking all over on of my early trips this summer it cracked to the point that it disconected the spring perch from the frame in front of the box I've had that spot fixed routinely, It also has cracked on both sides at the cross member then there is the rear where the shocks took that out completely (thats why I don't run rear shocks anymore) there are several other places that have cracked and been fixed so its time to find a perment fix to this problem. I don't jump this truck in any way shape or form, all it does is rock crawl.
DAMN! You must wheel hard! I'm pretty rough on my truck and my truck has had a bent frame that was pulled straight. I don't have a single crack any where except where some knuckle head screwed up the temper by welding a trailer hitch to the frame.
I don't think boxing the frame is going to fix issues with parts that are rivited on getting torn off. Before I went to the effort to box the frame I would go a full cage like pre runners use that would be tied to the frame the whole length of the vehicle including going through the fire wall all the way up to behind the core suport.. The strength gain over boxing the frame would be ten fold.
With that many place cracking I would say you might have a problem with bad tempering on that frame...scrap it. Loose frames can be found. Check the www.coloradok5.com forsale forum. frames pop up from time to time.

chev frames are junk.
you have to step up to a one ton frame.
I used a 2wdr one ton frame when i got tired of chasing cracks.
K5s rip the rear shocks out of the frame all the time so i find it strange some of you K5ers have not experienced that???

common problem areas:

engine crossmember below fuel pump is usually cracked
K5s rip the rear shocks out
behind steering box
front bumpers get ripped off relatively easy
every rivet works loose
frame cracks across the top and down the face about even with firewall
there are tons more pretty sure we could get a good list

I've also experienced most of the problems MJ points out, although not consistently or on all vehicles I've owned. I've never broken one at the fire wall, but, I "accidentally" (running too fast, at night, in an area I didn't know) jumped a wash and nosed into the far bank at about 30-35 mph in a 76 Scotts and bent/cracked the frame right behind the axle where it turns down. It should have just bent, but it also cracked (we found that when I tried to straighten it). The fact that it cracked (or was already cracked a little?) indicates that it was getting some stress there previous to the impact.

1 ton frame is sweet and takes care of most of the issues. Still doesn't help if your ripping rivets out, but I have never had much trouble with that except where the front spring front hanger mounts. Just replace them with 1/2 grade 5 bolts. The shock thing is still a problem, I just welded my driver's side shock mount back on about 4 weeks ago, and I cut it back off tonight relocating my shocks for the new rear suspension I just finished. I still need to reinforce the area around the steering box because, even though a 1 ton frame is stronger, they will still crack there with big tires (unless you run hydro assist to take the pressure off).

BTW, no way would I box the frame. Like Grim said, the frames generally hold up pretty good except for a few problem areas. Even though I've seen a few frame issues over the course of roughly 17 years of off roading, it was generally on badly abused trucks. Good luck.

I started with 8 shocks and now I have 2. Besides that I cracked the steering box real bad, but thats it. I run her hard too.
85 k5