Overlapped frame rails - redneck "Z"

I am taking a little flack for the way I have the frame on my pickup cobbled together. I needed to use two frames to make one and I wanted to drop the front so I overlapped them and welded it back together that way. They overlap almost a foot, and I first welded both sides solid. Then I boxed the top and bottom on the inside, and welded the boxing plates together, and then put a "fish" plate diagonally across the whole joint and welded it the whole way around (on the inside only). I am no master welder, but I used a stick, and I am confident I got a good weld with good penetration.

This seems solid and safe to me, is this a recipe for disaster?

Let's keep the flaming to a minimum. I will just assume that half of you think I am an idiot, and save you the trouble of typing it out!

Thanks,
CHAZ

 

If your welds are as strong as you hope they are.....I don't see a problem with how it was done.

 

Nor do I. But I'm a novice compared to some of these guys.

 

I'd like to ask "why"

 

Why not? Its not the first time its been done that way. Should work just fine.

 

i don't know how it'll hold up structurally, but it certainly is horrible looking!

 

I mean what is gained,,what is the point of doing it ?? I would thing there were easier ways of lowering it ,if that is the reason.

 

i don't see any real safety issues but did you leave a foot extra to compensate for the overlap? If not your wheel base would be shorter.
I guess having the rear wheels a little forward wouldn't be the worst thing in the world...

 

You need to box that up to put some strength back into it .Also make it look better .My 2 cents

 

not to mention now all the front steering and suspension angles are shot to hell... as well as engine angle, pinion... all gotta be changed... "C" notch the frame and move the spring hangers up on the frame...

 

One of these guys around has in their sig "If you cant weld good weld alot"
Sounds like you have that covered.

Is it finished ? because it does looks like it needs a couple more hours work.
I hate when I'm cooking dinner and someone asks why is this place a mess!
if you clipped the corners and capped them it would look alot better
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kinda like that but more angle to the clip. then it would look more like you planned it, instead of cobbled it. imo

 

If you're happy with it, then it's fine. Personally I would fishplate it on at least one side, that'll give you some extra strength. I'm thinking you're gonna need that strength seeing how one of your suspension points is right above that joint...

 

that is going to catapolt u right into the pavement..... think about why and get back to me....

 

I honestly didn't care what it looked like because it would be hidden by the bed. I didn't "clip" the corners because I wanted as much metal as possible in that area. I did intentionally shorten the wheel base (but not the whole 12 inches). If I had it to do all over again I might not have done it at all, but I had a good front half of a frame, and a good back half of a frame....

As far as the front suspension angles, and motor angles and such if they are screwed up it is not because of the frame being welded up, it is because I did all that myself too!

There are a few suggestions to box it, and fish plate it, I did that already, but only on the inside of the frame.

CHAZ

 

It looks rather frightening, but functionally it should be fine. If in doubt, add a fishplate on the outside as well.---Brian

 

This is really helpfull!

 

If the welds are good you should be ok. maybe a fishplate for a little extra peice of mind. However,the bottom line is, when you build something knowing you have options, be prepared to stand behind your work. If you need to ask, its not a good sign. I also try to imagine , if many years later, my stuff gets to be re-restored by someone else, what would i want them to see?

 

WELL shit. its about time that thing gets worked on. I ve seen this job. It is very soild. The angles of the front end will not be affected. the front clip is still in its orginal configuration. i see nothng wrong with it other than it looks like ass. i think he did a great job. this is his first build. remember yours? i will be ready to race ya in about 5 weeks!!

 

Purty is as Purty does my Grand Ma used to say. If it's safe, who cares...you won't be able to see the joint with the bed on, so what's the problem?

 

ain't purty, but it will be functional and hidden by the bed. OK with me.

 

KEEP COBBELING AND QUIT ASKING !!!!
you havent got a clue do you?
#1 if you didnt overlap the front the same way as the back the steering geometry is messed up
#2 if you dont care how it looks your in the wrong forum
#3 200+ years of fabricating experiance just gave their opinion
#4 you could clip those corners and not loose one bit but actually add to the the cross section strength.

You should have let that monkey in your avitar cut your truck.

 

I gotta ask. did you look at the pic?? do you have a clue? note the front section of the frame is parallel to the ground. The front frame hasnt been changed. . axle, reworked springs and box are all in there orginal locations. Explain to me where the Big problem is. We all relise that it isnt pretty to look at However I would like you to teach us what is wrong with the front frame set up??


this is fun!

 

Notice I said "If you didn't" in #1 , well if that is true then the caster is way off.

 

Looks as good as a "real" Z'd frame. Let me change that, Looks like it will work as good as a "real" Z'd frame. But please angle the ends of the two frames and plate them down to the other frame. Does not matter if no others will see it, YOU will know what it looks like. Are you proud of your work? if not fix it.

 

I would plate the otside of the frame and throw a couple of 3/4" bolts through two frames as safety incase the welds are not as good as your think.

It looks scarey,but the pics don't really show anything of the actual structure.

 

"Let's keep the flaming to a minimum. I will just assume that half of you think I am an idiot, and save you the trouble of typing it out!"

Apparently someone didn't read to the end of my post. You are right though, I have somewhat less than 200 years of experience.

CHAZ

 

That's not a whole lot different from how Tardell z'd the frame on the B-T Model A.

 

id say you need to box both the inside & out & plug weld the frame too like in the pic better safe than sorry..............people do transport their children on the roads youll be driving on

 

I done the front of mine simular to that,if it's welded good I don't see a problem.

 

It scares me.