Frame Question.

How can i properly make sure everything is level and straight on my truck, before i start making any hard mods....i know i need to get an front end Alignment, and what not...But how would i make sure everythings "Even, Level, And Squared" not bends, etc. Thanks guys

Call an autobody shop and ask them how much they charge for checking your frame is square. I believe it is a service similar to an alignment but for a frame.

They have to do that after a collision to make sure the frame is okay and the vehicle can be repaired... otherwise it is written off... at least that is what they do here in Manitoba.

The vehicles that are totalled are then sold at auction for parts.

when i was an apprentice this is what i would do on a test drive..
..drive.30k brake to zero..Hear/feal anything weird? drive 60k take hands off the wheel..nothing sketchy?... take hands off the wheel and brake GENTLY...if you hear weird nosies or truck is pulling to one side at anypoint then you need to look into things....a thorough visual inspection of a vehicle will tell you weather or not its bene in a frame twisting accident...

Hope this helps!



Good Luck!

Dev

Well my steering wheels not straight, and it Pulls hard to one side, i know i need a front end Alignment, When my truck was stock, i had hit some Black ice and jumped the Curb, since then (2years almost ago) its been like this...I havent gotten a Alignment or anything, Im going to replace everything up front, Upper and lower Balljoints, Inner and outter tierods, Ive already replaced the Idler arm. I think once i do that and get an Alignment everything will be straight, i know 1 side of the rear of my truck sits lower then the other, but i think 1 of my Springs is Flatter then the other, Its hard to figure it out though, all help is appreicated!! Thanks again

You can take it to a body shop and they will put it on a frame machine. The will take some X measurements from various points and hang centerline guages to determine any damage. The gauges will determine if your frame is straight or has any twist in it. Also you truck should have a slight lead to the right when you let go of the wheel.

So the truck can run itself off the street when the driver falls asleep ???

if all you did was jump a curb. its just messed up ypur front end..worst case senario you got a tweaked controal arm..take the truck put the front end on jackstands with the front wheels just a little of the ground..point your steering wheel streight..check your ball joints by rocking the wheel with your hands at 12 and 6 will most likely feel a knocking or jerking motion ball joints are probably bad ...shake from 9 and 3 and if you feel jerky motion tie rod is bad place hand on inner and outer tierod while shaking to determine witch is bad or both.. .
before you take the front wheels off get a length of rope and tie it to your ehaust or frame anywhere after your rear wheels......point your wheel streight..take peice of rope up to the front of the vehicle and bull it so it boes across the reat wheels like ___
__ ___
/ \ / \
______________________
\__/ \__ /


Rear wheel front wheel

pull it taught and streight....use the back tire for refrence.when the line is streight the rope will touch the rear tire just barely at 9 and 3..and shouldalso touch just barely on the front tire on both sides..most likely it will only touch on one side. somethings out of wack even if something is a little bent if your on a budget you could mostlikely get it to track streight adjusting your tierods using this rope for refrence wen it touches only the edges of both the front and the rear tires its true... its real easy get a haynes manual. and a little MAP gas soldering torch...its at lowez /home deot/ crappy tire placeslike that looks exaxctly like a plumbers sauldering torch but just burn hotter...a coupple 18 or 22 mm wrenches(not really shure) and a buddy in like 30 min you can have a huge improvement..ya dont even have to take the damn wheels off!

but it sounds like you could do verry nicely with fixing whats broke in the front end of be on the safe side and just replace everything would only be about 150-200 CAD. for all new balljoints and tierods..if you got a haynes manual its really not that hard..but belive me workin on 15 year old front ends you will want some heat..even propane!

also take a verry close look at everyhing up front check out swaybar links and bushinks..only like 50 bucks to replace all 4 of those...pay carefull attention for creaces or bends in controal arms..

hope this heps anyways if ya have any questions i got ya.