I've looked everywhere and can't find pics or any good information on strengthening the frame. I'm working on an 82 GMC K15 with swapped in d60/14ff/454/205/44s. I want to know what you all think about boxing the frame or running square tubing like WFO's blue chevy. I mud and do a little of beach runnin' but nothin else. I'd like to know what yalls experience is with doing any boxing, etc. Begin!

Come on, 62 people have read this and no replies. I can't believe that no one doesn't have an opinion or has never done this before. Need a little help guys. Even maybe where to look for some info, something.

Sure, box it. Why not? Happy now, I was the first to say something.:flipoff2:

Personally , I wish I wouldve boxed mine during one of the 3 bodys Ive put on it. My frame is sooooo raggity from trail ridin for 10 years.Not rusty just all wadded up. Instead I plated mine in the center and added 3 additional Xmembers along the top and bottom. When I have to take my trans out for somthing I have to take one of tha add on top xmembers out to clear the xfer case. When the bolts come out the frame spreads open so much I gotta use a rachet binder and a chain to get it back close enough to put the xmember back in.
I say go for it


Im hoping the exo cage Im doing will keep mine together till I get ready to build another rig.

I boxed tubed like WFO concepts did on that truck. I ran the tube from just behind the front spring shackles all the way to the back.

See thread:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=720621&highlight=

Added custom built crossmembers, including one over the rear axle, which also served as a shock mount.

Granted, a full boxed frame or custom made mandrel bent piece like Throttle Down Kustoms builds would be better, and eventually, I am going to get a TDK built frame and cage installed, but this stopped about 70% of the frame flex. Totally build time in my backyard took about 1 month. Removal of all the rivets and brackets is required. Build cost was under $350 (for metal prices in Hawaii)(they suck).

The trans crossmember got some added bracing as well. Hope this helps some.

a cage does alot for keeping the frame straight too. I have a full gage from the firewall back, all tied to the frame. I bent my frame in front of the front body mounts. I now have to straighten the frame and extend the cage to the engine compartment. I figure, with the cage, you get frame strength and interior safety.

GMC, Who is TDK? I was looking for an aftermarket frame.

Jeremy Pulse, Owner/Fabricator ThrottleDown Kustoms
P.O. Box 172
Moore, MT 59464
Shop: (406) 374-2285
email: jeremy@throttledownkustoms.com


Good work. They made a custom frame for my buddies CJ8. Very solid. Very reasonable prices too.

OH MY GOD!!! After I read your post, I went to their website and checked out their frames and stuff. Love the look of their work. Looks like they sell Jeep frames. I guess I could e-mail or call to find out if they can do my Jimmy. I guess I should have put the initials with the name......Next time I will read with my head out of my ass:shaking::flipoff2:

Thanks GMC. The tubes are awesome, good fab job. Do you wish you had gone farther front on the frame, or would it even help? I have a bare frame with body off so boxing wouldn't be a problem, and have about half the rivets off so far. My only problem with boxing it is getting mud and sand stuck inside the frame and rusting from the inside out. Is anyone having any problems with this? Thanks bigblack :flipoff2:!!

OH MY GOD!!! After I read your post, I went to their website and checked out their frames and stuff. Love the look of their work. Looks like they sell Jeep frames. I guess I could e-mail or call to find out if they can do my Jimmy. I guess I should have put the initials with the name......Next time I will read with my head out of my ass:shaking::flipoff2:

Yeah, I called Jeremy and he told me that all I needed to do was give him frame dimensions for my truck and he would bend two blank frame rails and ship to me.

I know his shop specializes in Jeeps, but he can accomodate others as well.

Just grab a junk truck and use the frame to box yours, That way you can overlap the sections and get a really nice fit/weld

That's not a bad idea. I've never seen a 2wheel drive GMC frame, but is it essentially the same as the 4wheel. I would assume so, but assuming makes an ass of u and me. I can also dimple the sides and bottom in order to drain the frame but do any of you think that would more hurt it than help(the bottom dimples). Keep the good info comin guys. Thanks for all the help so far.

Boxing frames is a good thing.

That being said, Jeremy at TDK is on a different (higher) level. I have one of his frames and the guy is an artist. Heavier gauge steel, tube versus channel, and high quality welds are what set his work apart from the stock OEM stuff.

Need some frame dimensions? Check out http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/jsfucttruck/Flatbed/frame2.gif
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/jsfucttruck/Flatbed/frame.gif

I know his shop specializes in Jeeps, but he can accomodate others as well.


Yeah, I could tell he was top notch. I will be checking out the chucks trucks link for frame specs and looking into this after the first of the year. I would love to have one of his frames.

check here

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262271

i would simply box around the steering box and both front frame horns, and put a cage on the rest. that will provide the rigidity you need. I did it on mine, and i havent had an issue since.

I boxed in the front of my frame from the bumper to the rear front spring hanger. then I exoed it from the front to the rear. I also tied the cage into my boat sides. I like it! I read a lot of threads about guys wishing they had done that from the start. so I did.:smokin:

well, I am already fully caged inside and am going to cage the engine bay.....after I get my frame straightened. Maybe I should just box the front frame. I have the frame hornstied together at the front for my winch plate.

If you box, plan ahead and figure out where stuff is going to mount, or will possibly mount ahead of time. I've done a lot of hole sawing and a lot of pain in the ass work that would normally be no big deal with an open frame. I removed all the rivets and bolted the frame back together. I also used my old 84 K5 frame to box in my 91's frame. Saved about $350 in steel that way.

http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv267/blackdog2003/2168656360041870815aLWpPV_fs.jpg

I had a chevy truggy with a standard. When the rig would be flexed out it would drop the clutch linkage every time. I extended the clutch pivot rod and it helped some for a while but the problem returned as the frame got looser. I finally boxed the frame from just behind the motor mounts to the transmission cross member. I made templates from card board and made the plates from 3/16th plate. It took some c clamps to tweak it into place, but once it was welded in it worked great and completely solved the pivot rod issue. If I ever use another chevy frame for hardcore use I will box the entire frame before I build the truck. It wasn't hard and did it in one day...

Hey Glenn, I know where you can get Blazer frame rails minus the crossmembers! You can do yours just like blackdogs! Call me I'll hook you up!:)

I chose not to box mine. I don't want it filling up with mud and water and rusting out.

you are a gentelman and a scholar Chris........I will call to say hi anyway:flipoff2:

I was just reading down this post and thought....HUH, I have a frame I could use to box mine.....I would just have to help Chris strip all of the shit he wants.....I will call him. Hahahahaha

I chose not to box mine. I don't want it filling up with mud and water and rusting out.

have cut outs for water/crap to drain out?

I have heard of people using spray foam to fill the frame....

Glenn, no help needed, I'll put Cookie to work on the crossmembers after Christmas. She graduated college today, now she needs a job! She will be the most educated frame dismantler I know!

ha ha ha ha ha. Well, I will still come by for some moral support. Then when she is done, I will haul away those pesky frame sections...........:D