40 frame repair

[dryhoppin]

i'm looking for info welding in the last foot of my frame with new c channel and replacing the rear crossmember with a new piece of c channel. also wondering what the purpose of the diagonal sections are that go from the frame to the crossmember? are they only there to support a hitch or do they strengthen the frame in a twist?
any and all info appreciated,
chris

 

[shelfboy1]

frame

check the faq lots of info there.those braces need to be there unless you dont ever get stuck or tow someone else out.

 

[Melloj123]

I replaced the last 18 inches of my frame with sections from a good frame. This included the rear spring hanger. Also installed new diagonals which I bought off Ebay. Made diagonal cut of frame , match cut new frame, weld together then weld football shaped plate over splice. Do one side at a time. Drilling out rivets is a PITA. Replace rivets with grade 8 bolts.

 

[numby]

The diagonals do strengthen the frame for towing, etc. but they also supply "sheer" support so that the frame doesn't (easily) develop a diamond shape like a parallelogram.

There are a couple of sellers making the rear cross member as well as the other rear frame bits. This guy has been pretty good to deal with for me.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40 FRAME MEMBER : eBay Motors (item 300396078901 end time Mar-12-10 15:13:51 PST)

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40 FRAME MEMBER : eBay Motors (item 300402962490 end time Apr-02-10 09:19:29 PDT)

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER~~LANDCRUISER FJ40 FRAME RAIL SECT. : eBay Motors (item 300399101842 end time Mar-21-10 18:04:21 PDT)

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40 R.Frame SUPPORTS : eBay Motors (item 300382832232 end time Apr-01-10 17:26:37 PDT)

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40-45 Frame PLATES : eBay Motors (item 300373634402 end time Apr-01-10 15:58:49 PDT)

 

[dryhoppin]

very cool links, hadn't thought to check ebay yet. i was a little put off by the prices on cruiser solutions-it was gonna be over 1 grand. the ebay prices are definitely better. i'm probably going to look into getting the c channel and cutting myself. i do pull with this truck but had wondered if a nice thick section across the rear needed any more bracing. are people bolting in or welding in? welding seems so much stronger?

 

[LC_Hamma]

I had a local steel fabber bend up some 3/16" plate for the rear of my frame when I cut & rotated it up some for added ground clearance. I used true 4" steel channel for the crossmember & butt welded that to the new frame ends. I also added an 1 3/4" brace from the tubular crossmember to the channel & 2 braces from the tubular crossmember to the inner frame sides (for the shock mounts):

 

[vtcruiser60]

I made the same repairs to my 40 series last spring and posted up the steps in this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ma-nh-yankee-toys/273066-vtcruiser60s-spring-build-much-do.html

 

[dryhoppin]

vt , thanks for the link, that's what i want to do. did you use square channel for strength or because that was what you had? do you know what size and gauge(?) you used? do the spring eyes line up with the frame or did you use a plate?

 

[dryhoppin]

damn nice coil spring over! what's in the front? how does it handle at road speed?

 

[LC_Hamma]

Thanks for the compliment
For my '73 40, there's a coil/ radius arm setup in front. I refabbed everything from the original coil design I already performed due to a new hybrid LC center/ D60 outer front axle. I haven't tested the new design due to waiting on a few items to finish up - custom inner axleshafts, Staun beadlocks & a few hydro hoses. The old design was flawless on the highway & trail. I was super pleased There are a few pics in my build thread.