Frame repair

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Is it possible to weld weak spots or rusted thru on truck frames to make them as strong as the rest of the frame? I have 2 rusted out holes on my 89 CK 1500 right above the wheels. Can they be plated to be as good as new again?I know people use to junk the automobile for bad frames.I think it was because the car frames was rounded and not straight as the truck frames in that area. Any suggestions what should be used and how to weld these places up. Thanks alot and a nice forum here.
Reply:Pictures pictures pictures.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Welding of frames like this can be tricky.Wether you can fix it on not depends on the overall condition of the exsisting metal and postion of the area that needs to be repaired. As posted above, Pic's would be good to help with these decisions. First evaluate the condition of the frame around the bad areas and give the whole frame a good look over. Sometimes when a frame is gone in one area, it is starting to go in others. On older chevy's like this, you should have a good look around the front coil spring housing part of the frame. If the rest of the frame looks good and the bad areas are not to large, clean off the dirt and rust and see what it will take to fix it. Post up the pic and we can see what you should do from hereLast edited by jamlit; 03-23-2008 at 07:34 PM.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I have done many.  Look at where the rear spring attaches to the frame on the front of the  spring.  It may be bad there.  First I find ALL the rust.  Then I make card board templates and cut 1/4" mild steel which is thicker than the original frame and weld it in.  Welding perpendicular to the frame or across the flanges is a bad thing.  Do a search, there have been some good discussions about frame repair.If you are confident of your skills including welding out of position, you can do it.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.