[matt167]

Well, got kind of bad news yesterday. Needed some 6"x1/8" plate to make some fish plates to plate my 'back half' into the front half of the frame. Went to the steel yard and found a " Closed for good " note on the door. So I gotta find another supplier.. Went to Tractor supply and got some 3"x1/8", but I really need 6" because that is the width of the front frame.. Is there any reason I can't cut the C parts of the C channel on the scrap sections of frame rail that I have, and end up with 6" plate?

[OneMoreTime]

That is what us "innovative" types do is use what we have to do what we need to do..

Sam

[ericnova72]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

That is what us "innovative" types do is use what we have to do what we need to do..

Sam

I've been "innovative" like this many times. Nothing wrong with "recycling" as much as you can as long as it isn't rust eaten. I've used van side walls and mid 70's big car hoods, roofs, and trunk lids to make floor pan patches, etc.

[dinger]

It's better than sending it back to China for next years eco-box. This is what hotrodding is all about.

[timothale]

In the factory they used to put decals on Ford truck frames saying do not drill or weld. there was also a lot of info listed for approved modification builders, ambulances. smaller 4x4 emergency and fire -forest service speciality vehicles. I don't know about your ranger frame. check the net or yellow pages for metal fab or welding shops in your area and check for cut off's and the recycling bin.

[matt167]

The twin I beams say do not Bend, Heat, Weld right on them, but that is because there cast and not Forged, But the frame has no decals or marking.. I had to google to see why it would make a diffrence, and I found that some Ford frames were heat treated and if welded, that will change the metallurgy.. But I also found that it does not apply to older Ranger frames. It may for '98+, but I can't confirm that, and the donor was a '94.

In any case, I cut out 2 good peices that I could salvage, ground the surface rust off, and was able to make 2 outer plates.

[joe_padavano]

Until the last couple of years, truck frames are made from annealed mild steel. GM even publishes guidelines on how to properly modify and weld their truck frames in their Upfitters Best Practices manuals. I suggest you go here and review the data in the Chassis section:

http://www.gmupfitter.com/best_practice_manuals.html

Reusing the frame material for fish plates is fine so long as it hasn't been damaged in a crash or fatigue cracked. Note that fish plates should NOT have simple straight edges. This would result in a stiffness discontinuity at the edge that can lead to stress cracks. The edges should be tapered along the length of the frame rail so the stiffness change is gradual.

[matt167]

I'll keep that bookmarked.. As for the fish plates I know there suposto look like this <===>, and I have made them that way. These plates tho, only have that on 1 side as the leading edge is at the end of the frame, because I'm plating the C channel to 2x3 tubing