Is it necessary to box my frame???

Is it really that important to box the frame on my 34 Chevy truck, it is going to be a shop truck with pretty much stock looks similar to Richard Graves Panada truck...I am going to run a (GASP) 305 into a powerglide with 10 bolt posi out the A$$ end...whaddya guys think...i know its your truck but for safety reasons....joe

 

Can you post a picture of the frame?
I'm not familar with the '34 truck frame....

 

If you ask Boyd he will say yes. Clay

 

Ask Bluebear

 

I'm thinking that even with a 305, powerglide, and 10-bolt posi, you're gonna twist that frame like a pretzel if you really get on it, especially with that posi rear. So yeah, I'd box it.

DeepSouthRick

 

If you don't mind putting all that work into. Box that old frame now so later after its done your not regretting not doing it. It's kinda like buying a new suit and wearing old shitty shoes.

 

I'm not boxing my bucket... (425 Buick) It'll twist I'm sure, but it's not like it's going to fall apart. It's got heavy crossmembers and is relatively short. A heavy truck frame will have no trouble with a little 305 unless for some reason it was built very flimsy from the factory. (Which I can't see being the case.) Seems like "you must box the frame" is another one of those bits of advice that have been repeated so often they are taken as absolute truths.

 

I know that the frame is thicker channel then the Fords...looks to be the same frame as the 1.5 ton that I had seen finished at the truck and tractor show down at the park this weekend....what about boxing around the original cross members...I was thinking of using cardboard as templates for the boxing and just cutting around those stamped steel crossmembers...anyone have any experiance with this??? to me the frame seems beefy but want to not half a$$ it either...I will post a pic of the frame tomorrow...joe

 

I boxed my Stude p/u to the back of the cab, ran it for a year, then boxed the rest.Unbeliveable difference. It had a 305 and open rear at that time. I'll box everything from now on. We just trimmed to fit around the X members, then welded to them. Next time I'll inset the plates to make room for plumbing.

 

If you will only ever use it as a shop truck, why bother. But it is true that you'll kick yourself down the road if you move toward bigger plans and don't do it now. In short, it isn't necessary, but maybe desireable.

 

You don't have to fully box it. It's not all or none.

 

thanks guys...I will box while its tore down...dont want to second guess myself later on while its assembeld....joe

 

We don't need no STEENKING boxing plates!