As Im getting ready for the suspension part of my build on my 80, Im looking to any potential weak spots on the frame. Is the 120 wall frame typically strong enough, or are most of you reinforcing the frames entirely, only at mount areas, or not at all? im expecting to be in the 55 to 6000 pound range with a 351, doubler, ZF, one tons and 42's.

I think I have relented to stay with rear 63's and radius arms for now, with a rear 4 link down the road as moneya nd time become available.

I figured I would sleeve the back of the frame with some .25 wall square tube (I need to extend the rear frame anyway) Do I need to reinforce the motor area? Do I need to sleeve or plate the frame where x members and slider mounts will be, or will fish plates suffice?

Io just dont want to build this thing, and start having frame cracks.

mouth fulla do i and and a hand fulla should i?, c'mon man where are you?
sad,sad,sad.

mouth fulla do i and and a hand fulla should i?, c'mon man where are you?
sad,sad,sad.

:lmao::lmao: No Just weld all your x member and slider stuff straight to the frame. It won't tear. I promise.:flipoff2:

Here's a work in progress pic...yes, you should plan on adding additional material to the frame.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/scoutdude64/Scout%20Buildup/0714082135.jpg

mouth fulla do i and and a hand fulla should i?, c'mon man where are you?
sad,sad,sad.

:shaking: thanks for your help.

Mine has held up fine.

However, I added a 2nd rear crossmember at the end of the frame which is made out of 3/16" or 1/4" C channel. (has 4 rear body mounts attached to it)
Rear bumper is 2x4 of 3/16" or 1/4 which runs parallel to it.

Front bumper is 1/4" 2x6 as well.

I gusseted my front spring hangers.

When I re-did my rocker guards, I used 1/4x 2x2 which is welded on top of the frame (I cut out 4" of the rockers, so it's flush with the floor boards) and gusseted those as well.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/mochamike/Scout/R_Bumper_2.gif

(body is elevated for welding):
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/mochamike/Scout/R_Bumper_rt.gif

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/mochamike/Scout/Front_Bumper3.gif

(Front spring hangers have been swapped out for Ruff Stuff ones):
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/mochamike/Scout/Rockers1.gif

:shaking: thanks for your help.

all i'm saying is OF COURSE you would want to beef up everything,even the stuff that isn't being modified.theres no such thing as to strong,if you can live with the weight.

and I fully expect to. Mostly, I am looking for failure prone areas that others may have had. i.e. the seams along the frame, etc. Have most sleeved the frame, or just plated the sides with 3/16 or 1/4(seems a bit much). I know the body mounts are problem areas, so Im looking for other things whlie the body will be off.

and I fully expect to. Mostly, I am looking for failure prone areas that others may have had. i.e. the seams along the frame, etc. Have most sleeved the frame, or just plated the sides with 3/16 or 1/4(seems a bit much). I know the body mounts are problem areas, so Im looking for other things whlie the body will be off.


When I pulled my body off, the only major damage was a rear body mount on the body. Even with the shitty factory welding, it seemed to be ok. I am trying for the impossible: a lighter Scout, so I consider weight where I can. I am also tired of grinding shit off of the frame as well though. My inside crossmembers and rocker guards will bolt through the frame instead of plating the frame and then welding to that. The pic of the rear link mounts above show that I used 0.125 thick steel for the lower mount but the bolt passes through the frame so the outside part is only to capture for double shear.

Here's a pic of my link mount (larger hole) before the outside gusset work and a set of crossmember / rockerguard holes (There are 3 sets down each side)

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/scoutdude64/Scout%20Buildup/Rockermount.jpg

and I fully expect to. Mostly, I am looking for failure prone areas that others may have had. i.e. the seams along the frame, etc. Have most sleeved the frame, or just plated the sides with 3/16 or 1/4(seems a bit much). I know the body mounts are problem areas, so Im looking for other things whlie the body will be off.

i would say all the typical,body mounts for sure and steering box area.trans cross member and maybe the spring hangers.the frame is only 1/8 inch thick to begin with,so i use 3/16 and 1/4 for all my stuff.as far as sleeving the frame,it is always a good idea if theres a chance of sucking the frame in while tightning something big or important.plus it depends on your driving style,my left foot is a size 11 and the right is about an 18.build your rig to suit your driving style.

of course mine is not mobile yet but shows signs of being rolled and the only damage is the mounts which I gussetted (rear ones). Other wise to me it looks pretty stout. Mike, got pics of that rear x-member and rear bumper?

On second thought I am guessing you posted one that is on a site blocked from work, I'll check the thread from home later ;)

http://whiteknucklemotorsports.net/gallery/albums/scout80_bodywork/2008_Aug05_025.sized.jpg

http://whiteknucklemotorsports.net/gallery/albums/scout80_bodywork/2008_Aug05_030.sized.jpg

Other than the front crossmember, tcase crossmember, and hanger, sliders, and hoop over the radiator I think that is all the welding that was done to my frame.

Plate the whole frame in 5/16