• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Boxing In The Frame


planeflyer21

Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2013
Messages
192
Reaction score
19
Points
18
Location
Sonoran Desert
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
Has anyone fully boxed in their Ranger frame?

If so what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks!

Jon
 


RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,291
Reaction score
8,296
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
C frame is more likely to break in extreme flexing, i.e. off road "challenges"
Boxed frame weighs more, but has less flex so less likely to break in extreme "challenges"

In a Ranger your more likely to break axles and suspension parts before C frame would break.
But if you are upgrading suspension and axles then boxing the frame would be a good idea.
Attaching parts to a boxed frame brings a new set of issues
With C frame you are just bolting to a "plate", horizontal or vertical, its still just a steel plate.

With boxed you can go thru the rail using longer bolts but there is limited torquing because you will start to deflect the rail.
You can add holes to get nuts and bolts thru to the opposite side "plate", hole needs to be large enough for socket wrench.
Or leave some areas open, as C rail, where attachment points are needed, if its not too big of an area you will still get the strength of the boxed frame but have access to the attachment points.
Or you can weld on attachment points

Limited flex can make for a better ride and more predictable ride over bumpy terrain
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,870
Reaction score
5,031
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
You could also add access holes where needed and using a dimple die it will be as strong and slightly lighter. I've seen home made dimple die made with a trailer ball and bearing race.
 

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,749
Reaction score
580
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15
I've seen many cracked boxed frames (both OEM and end-user-boxed)... I think overall design of the frame plays a bigger role in durability than whether it is boxed or c-channel.

I've not seen many frame problems on RBVs... Unless like mentioned above, you're slinging a set of 1-tons & 42s under there, I probably wouldn't worry much about the frame.

Bad body mount bushings will allow the frame to flex more than normal, if this is an issue (such as the bed touching the cab under flex), I'd look at replacing the body bushings. Urethane will allow the least amount of flex, but will increase noise & vibration transmitted into the cab a slight bit.
 

Will

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
6,925
Reaction score
514
Points
113
Location
Gnaw Bone, Indiana
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Toyota
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Hard spots are what cause breakage. I've owned a couple plow trucks and the frames on those break. They break where differences in stiffness come together--hard spots. On trucks with leaf springs on the front, the frames break right after the rear leaf mounts are bolted to the frame. The leaf mounts stiffen the frame and past that it is a C-channel. The stress focuses in the area where the stiffness of the frame changes. So if you want to box it, box all of it. A full c-channel frame can endure a lot of flex if you don't modify any of it.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top