frame jig

im planning on building a firewall-back frame for my isuzu this summer. gonna use russ-d's idea and build a jig under the factory frame, marking body mounts etc.

i know 2x2x11ga box would be ideal, but its kinda pricey these days. would i be able to get away with maybe 14ga or 1.5x1.5x11ga just to cut on costs?

odds are itll be used once and then be scrap in the corner of the shop. and i need to save as much $$ as possible for the tubing that will be used for the frame itself. any help is appreciated

DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED A JIG. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THAT TOOK THE OLD FRAME AND SLID 2x3 BOX TUBE IN THE FRAME AND CUT THE EXCESS OFF. THIS WOULD WORK JUST FINE. SLID IT IN, WELD IT UP, LOWER THE MOUNTS, AND YOU SHOULD BE DONE. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS EASIER THEN IT IS. BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITHOUT BUILDING A JIG. GOOD LUCK -JASON

Edited: 4/27/2006 11:48:37 AM by iLLblazer

You can use angle if you wanted. Just build it right.We have a Table built from 3x3 1/4 wall angle with 2x2 legs and crossbraces. Its about a foot tall with 3/4" bolts to adjust the height at all 6 legs. 14' x 4.5'

just remember with thin-walled small tubing you'll have the flexing, and with the weight of the frame you might not be working on a flat surface.

Originally posted by bdroppeddak



just remember with thin-walled small tubing you'll have the flexing, and with the weight of the frame you might not be working on a flat surface.

thats mostly what im worried about. but i dont wanna drop $180 on something thats gonna probably rust away either.

Jason, thatd work if i had c-channel frame, but its fully boxed

U cut the sides out and make it c-channel.

Originally posted by bdroppeddak



just remember with thin-walled small tubing you'll have the flexing, and with the weight of the frame you might not be working on a flat surface.

Gotta remember the weight of the frame isnt all concentrated in one spot. The deflection of the table is going to be minimal with the weight of the frame spread evenly over the hole thing.Either way, ours is stiff as hell, the short pieces of 2x2 between the 2 pieces of angle help alot.

Originally posted by iLLblazer



U cut the sides out and make it c-channel.

good point, that will work if i just wanted it b/d. but if im gonna put this much work into it, i want it to look badass.

think ill get some prices of angle see how that works out.

Originally posted by 86IsuzuPup



Originally posted by iLLblazer



U cut the sides out and make it c-channel.

good point, that will work if i just wanted it b/d. but if im gonna put this much work into it, i want it to look badass.

think ill get some prices of angle see how that works out.

Do what your plannin bro... build a new clean frame from the fire wall back. I tryed to cut open my frame and put some box tube in it... total waste of time and plasma tips... the frame is only 4.25" so at best stuffin a 3x2 inside it will make your new frame 3.25" tall anyways not much gain. and not wide enought to stuff a 2" wide piece of box in it.... so by the time you turn the frame into a piece of angle whats the point you know.

Anyways keep us posted on your frame jig/table im about to build one and would love to see some good ideas before i start. (i built the last frame on the floor.. that didnt work out as well as i had hoped)

Originally posted by iLLblazer



Edited: 4/27/2006 11:48:37 AM by iLLblazer

You can use angle if you wanted. Just build it right.We have a Table built from 3x3 1/4 wall angle with 2x2 legs and crossbraces. Its about a foot tall with 3/4" bolts to adjust the height at all 6 legs. 14' x 4.5'

Hey I built that! haha... ok ok but u designed it!

I built my frame on there, stuck the stock frame on, cut the top and on of the sides off, and used 2x3 tubing and made it fit in the stock left over frame... once that was all done I cut off all the stock frame and was left with just the 2x3. it worked pretty good, i also made sure to maintain the stock body mount locations as well.