cracked frame again

[stiluv]

hows everyone doin today? so are ranger frames really that weak or did i just get lucky? i cracked my frame in the rear, right over my rear axle for the third time. each time its been in a different spot. so i guess what im getting at is should i box the frame or is there anything else i should do? the truck is stock for eccept the terreflex shackles in the rear and the 32's. thanks for the time.

 

[pillen140]

are you jumping it?

 

[86ford]

i thrash my b2 badly but i have never cracked a frame nor have i heard of anyone cracking a frame. my first question is HOW? second is do you have rot or rust?

86

 

[rangerbum]

I havent heard of many problems in ranger frames, so you might be one of the few unlucky ones. If I was having that same problem recurring, I would box the frame and be done with it.

It just wouldnt make sense to me to just repair it and have to do it again...and again...and again. I'd rather over-strengthen it than under-strengthen it. Do it once, do it right!

 

[Mutant Pony]

I had a bit of frame cracking problem on my first Ranger. One was because of a shock failure. The shock mount over stressed the frame. Right behind the right rear tire.
That truck had been in the air many times though. It didn't have good enough suspension to handle it.
When I parted the truck I found cracks in 6 places.

 

[86ford]

I had a bit of frame cracking problem on my first Ranger. One was because of a shock failure. The shock mount over stressed the frame. Right behind the right rear tire.
That truck had been in the air many times though. It didn't have good enough suspension to handle it.
When I parted the truck I found cracks in 6 places.

you are mentally Ill when it comes to wheeling, from what i have seen you make me look safe.

86

 

[Mutant Pony]

My other Rangers I abuse too. I haven't had a frame problem since the first one.
I also wouldn't blame the problems with the first on the frame being weak.
You have to start somewhere, and learn from your mistakes. Find out what needs to be changed.

 

[rangerbum]

I've done my share of jumping my 2wd 97 ranger when I thought it belonged ripping up trails. No frame problems. That thing is a miracle to still be my Daily driver. Now it's my street-rod 4 banger lol. Of course a 97 in montana doesnt have rust or rot anywhere.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Its got to be something that your doing.


Get some pictures of the previous cracks and the repairs that were done.

 

[stiluv]

i have never jumped it. there is very little rust and no rot. it cracked right at the shock mount. i dont realy drive it hard. there are no sway bars so i do my share of showing up toyotas when i flex out. my thought was that my shocks are to short.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Is it cracking around the rivots to the shock mount?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

It's probably due to the wrong shocks. Getting the right shocks to run with teraflex shackles is very tricky. Without a raised mount, you will bottom them out, cause the shocks needed to get the down travel are really long. Bottoming and maxing out the shocks puts alot of hard up and down force on the shock mounts.

I'm running SkyJacker 4" lift F250 rear shocks with mine. And it still doesn't work out just right. I personally wish I never wasted the money on those shackles, they really only perform good in pictures. They make the truck feel weightless and tippy, They are coming out of my truck in place of longer springs and solid shackles.

Also those shackles take stress out of the springs, which allows the truck to flex more, which is also twisting your chassis more, which puts more stress on you shock mount which are experiencing all the frame flex due to you shocks being maxed and bottomed out.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Is it possible whoever welded the first crack used too much heat and changed the attributes of the frame? Making it weaker and more prone to other cracks? Our turrets in the humvess were hardened steel and due the usage we werent supposed to weld on them. They were so touchy that even a little too much heat ruined the hardening.

 

[Shran]

Mine is cracked horizontally from the bumper horn forward about 2" - haven't got around to welding it yet. It's a weird spot that I am assuming was caused by the wreck it was in right before I got it.

I had an F150 that had a cracked frame right behind where the steering box is mounted...from what I've heard it happens a lot.

Maybe you could box or plate that section of the frame?

 

[metalmacguyver]

The upper shock mounts collect stuff like dirt and salt and trap moisture. The frame rots right there and you would be surprised how thin you frame might actually be right there. If you combine this with improper length shocks, it easily explains why it is cracking there.


Take the shock mounts down, plate the frame, fab up some new mounts and have fun.