darn you max(frame size revisited)

Originally posted by Russ-D



the strength of tubing is in that its a tube, not just in the wall thickness. by the same degree, the strength of a frame is in its ladder design, not in the wall thickness. frames need to have "give", if they dont, they will break at the weakest joint. Even big truck frames, I should say ESPECIALLY big truck frames, are built to allow for torsional twist for energy transfer. Anyone remember the ford commercial where they deflected the truck frame 8 inches or so on one corner? The only thing you gain with a heavy frame is a low center of gravity.

and you will really regret trying to weld that 1/4 to the 1/16th thick original frame, because if the weld gets hot enough to penetrate the 1/4 you are USUALLY blasting clean through the 1/16th.

best post ive read in a while...

Originally posted by shavedmax



max, technically isnt a 2x3 1/8 inch frame weaker than a 2x5 1/8 frame? by loosing the height isnt it more prone to flexing length wise? so using a thicker frame material would make it as stiff as the factory unit. i'm not so much questioning you as i am making sure that i could safely build a full frame with thinner(and cheaper)material. plus i can weld 1/8 inch with my welder, to build a frame with 3/16 or 1/4 id have to buy a new welder.



Yes, a taller frame will certainly be stiffer, but keep in mind that many frames are C-channel and not fully boxed, that changes things. You will also notice that a lot of frames might be boxed for a length, but then they switch to C-channel. There is so much involved with a stock frame that it tough to say what is right. The problem is that when a custom (overbuilt, stiff) frame section is attached to a stock (inherently flexible) frame, the area where the two meet is over stressed. It isn't that common to hear about someone's rear frame section breaking off, but what I do see quite often is overly thick frame material being used. There isn't really anything terrible about that, but it isn't necessary either.

This has nothing to do with this what you guys are talking about but, I just was reading my new Streetrodder mag and there is a '37 Max & the Bio crew did, damn nice job guys!! I really, really dig that car, keep up the good work, guys!

Originally posted by relaxedmitch



This has nothing to do with this what you guys are talking about but, I just was reading my new Streetrodder mag and there is a '37 Max & the Bio crew did, damn nice job guys!! I really, really dig that car, keep up the good work, guys!

Now if you only knew what you were talking about Mitch.....

LOL!! I don't know anything about '37 Fords, but i did stay at a Holiday Inn express lastnight!!

Originally posted by BioMax



Originally posted by shavedmax



max, technically isnt a 2x3 1/8 inch frame weaker than a 2x5 1/8 frame? by loosing the height isnt it more prone to flexing length wise? so using a thicker frame material would make it as stiff as the factory unit. i'm not so much questioning you as i am making sure that i could safely build a full frame with thinner(and cheaper)material. plus i can weld 1/8 inch with my welder, to build a frame with 3/16 or 1/4 id have to buy a new welder.



thanks max! that had been bugging me for some time i guess i can order the mandrel bent rails i wanted then. this way the money i save on not buying thicher steel can go toward a nicer looking frame.would you suggest using 3/16 under the cab of a frontier crew cab, when building a frame from the front clip back? it has to be 2x3, but i am afraid that the length would cause 1/8 to flex too much

Yes, a taller frame will certainly be stiffer, but keep in mind that many frames are C-channel and not fully boxed, that changes things. You will also notice that a lot of frames might be boxed for a length, but then they switch to C-channel. There is so much involved with a stock frame that it tough to say what is right. The problem is that when a custom (overbuilt, stiff) frame section is attached to a stock (inherently flexible) frame, the area where the two meet is over stressed. It isn't that common to hear about someone's rear frame section breaking off, but what I do see quite often is overly thick frame material being used. There isn't really anything terrible about that, but it isn't necessary either.