Frame bracing

[cyamaha2007]

Ok heres the run down. I have a 89 silverado with a rotten back 2ft of the frame. I havent tackled mine yet. As it turn out a friend of mine has the exact same issue with his 94 silverado so i jumped on helping him for the experiance. Its was all very easy and it only took us a day and a half. The splice was right between the spring hangers of the rear axle. My question is instead of using a normal fishplate can i use a piece of c channel as the plate. I think this will make it stonger. It will also give me some piece of mind. The area on the truck will alow this because im installing a flatbed and the extra upper lip wont affect anything. Thank you for any help.

 

[cyamaha2007]

any ideas?

 

[ironheadtom]

If I had to do one or the other I pesonally would prefer the channel. I hope you're bolting and not welding.

 

[Spareparts]

Find a metal fab shop and get a channel bent to snugly fit inside the original frame, will make a neat repair.

 

[ironheadtom]

Find a metal fab shop and get a channel bent to snugly fit inside the original frame, will make a neat repair.

Absolutely right. If you can afford it, this truly is the way to go. I know it would be a lot of extra work, but if you could possibly go beyond the spring hangers front and rear and re-mount them using longer bolts, you would truly have a bullet proof repair.

 

[cyamaha2007]

The channel changes sizes right at hangers that would make alot of extra work. I just dont have the time for it.

 

[ironheadtom]

The channel changes sizes right at hangers that would make alot of extra work. I just dont have the time for it.

Ok, I just get excited sometimes. I do it at work too, next thing you know I've made a freaking space shuttle part instead of a simple bracket. My stuff pretty much never comes back but it isn't always cost effective!

 

[Kevin54]

You might want to ask this guy. http://www.twistedminis.com/ He does fantastic work and frame mods are his specialty. Either check his site or he is good at answering e-mails. BTW...His name is Shawn