TheSamba.com :: View topic - Framehead to pan

Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:53 pm

I'm finally starting my rebuild. I've got a new framehead and am ready to weld it to the pan. What tips / suggestions do you all have to line these up properly so I end up with a straight frame. Thanks!

Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:55 pm

Measure very carefully and distribute welds evenly so as welds cool they do not pull frame head excessively one way or the other....

Dale

Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:42 pm

I'm in the middle of the same thing. I chose one point at the rear of the pan to measure from, and I bolted the beam to the framehead. I measured to the shock mounting holes, both torsion tube holes and the two body mount holes. Once everything was equal from side to side, I checked the level. then I welded it, and the heat twisted it out of perfection.

Weld small welds and switch from side to side. I didn't and now I have a mess to fix.

Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:56 am

Don't forget, Use a level!

Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:01 pm

I would measure off the rear shock towers to the front head with the beam attached towers.
In an X pattern.

Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:43 pm

Thanks guys. Excellent points!

Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:51 pm

I've found the most stable points are the body mount holes on the rear shock mounts and the front bolt hole for the shifter. I thread a new bolt into each that has been cut and machined down to a point.

Check that the rear torsion is straight and not bent. Level and square the chassis from those points, then square the frame head from there. Measure, measure, measure. I use a couple laser levels in additon to measuring. I also find it better to mount a bare beam to the frame head to be certain it is square to the torsion housing at the rear. Don't rely on the frame head itself to be square, they rarely seem to be perfect.
Take your time and use small welds, constantly checking level and square and allow it to cool freauently to avoid warping anything.

Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:00 pm

Thanks! Those sound like the best points to measure from. My Framehead is new, but you're right, it does not seem perfect.

Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:06 pm

Post some pics if you can on your frame weld.
It is one of my next tasks for the project I am working on and wouldn't mind seeing how it goes for you...

Thanks!

ND

Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:46 pm

No problem. Got to get a few things done first, but I'll post as soon as I start. I'm a Cabinetmaker by trade, so the welding won't be pretty...