rear frame repair options

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

yepyep

Member
Joined
May 8, 2021
Posts
49
Reaction score
17
Location
the moon
First Name
joe
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
v20
Engine Size
350 tbi
hey all i have another question for you guys the truck im working 87v20 has the rear end of the frame lopped off basically the sections the rear bumper mounts to.

Any good options for replacement weld on sections? im invisioning slide over weld on steel with predrilled bumper mount holes I did find some online but not for our trucks....or should i just build my own out of c channel?

thanks
 

Raider L

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
1,892
Reaction score
996
Location
Shreveport, LA
First Name
William
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
@yepyep,

When you say "lopped off" how much are we talking about? And for what purpose was it cut off? If it's just so the bumper would be put back on, yeah you could get some channel iron and weld the ends back on. Just make sure that you don't make it a straight up and down weld, zig zag it that provides for the best strength. A straight cut and a butt weld will break off.
 

eskimomann209

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Posts
1,849
Reaction score
2,000
Location
Modesto
First Name
Marcus
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3
I always do diagonal cuts and plate the seam. But the real question is how much was cut of the ass end?
if it was only a few inches I’d be tempted to extend the bumper brackets. but remember not to use some silly bumper mounted ball or a heavy ass industrial diamond plated bumper.

I’d also go to a local wrecker and cut what you need + an extra foot or so.
 

yepyep

Member
Joined
May 8, 2021
Posts
49
Reaction score
17
Location
the moon
First Name
joe
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
v20
Engine Size
350 tbi
id say about a foot was cut off each end but im kinda guessing and i belive is was cut off because of rust the rest of the frame isnt rusty though so i dont know for sure
 

Raider L

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
1,892
Reaction score
996
Location
Shreveport, LA
First Name
William
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
Yeah, don't replace the frame. You'll be just asking for more trouble than you need to have to put up with. Just fix it. It's not in any critical place, and like you say it's where the bumper was bolted.

Now what you'll have to take into consideration is, what you'll need to reinforce if you plan on putting a tow bar on the end. Like @eskimomann209 said to plate it after you weld it. You weld the crack up, grind the weld down, and then put plates on the front and back and you can either weld them or a lot of people bolt the plates on.

Would you be thinking about putting a tow bar on it, bought or home made? Do it when you repair the end. Also, you'll need to either find a templet for the bumper brackets or find an old piece of frame, best choice, that has the bumper bracket holes in it and weld that on as your repair piece. Otherwise you'll have to transfer the holes in the right places and then drill those suckers! Don't screw up because your bumper will be crooked if you're off with the hole placement.
 

yepyep

Member
Joined
May 8, 2021
Posts
49
Reaction score
17
Location
the moon
First Name
joe
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
v20
Engine Size
350 tbi
yes your right and im allready working on that exact plan only thing is back to the original question does anybody sell those frame pieces? or am I going to have to go to the steel place and just buy some? I was hoping somebody made some so I didn't have to figure out all my bumper mount holes


its not a huge deal if not just thpught itd be more convenient
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,102
Posts
909,116
Members
33,586
Latest member
ssgmike
Top