Anyone done it? Was considering sleeving the frame with a 2.5 inch pipe and running the exhaust through that and using a hanger on both sides so it doesn't rattle. This would keep the exhaust over frame from heating up the floor.
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Running exhaust through the frame? That doesn't sound like a good idea, but I don't know enough to say why exactly.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
Sounds like a lot of work to solve an issue that a couple layers of Reflectix would fix pretty easily.
If you do decide to go down this path I would add *at a minimum* reinforcing plates all around the frame in that area. That photo looks like its the tail end of a frame (behind the rear axle). That area is less critical than the part that you are talking about which is directly between the wheels. Not a place I'd want to torch in a homemade modification.
So unless you are a structural engineer and can punch the 12 pages of calcs on this I'd advise against it.
If you do decide to go down this path I would add *at a minimum* reinforcing plates all around the frame in that area. That photo looks like its the tail end of a frame (behind the rear axle). That area is less critical than the part that you are talking about which is directly between the wheels. Not a place I'd want to torch in a homemade modification.
So unless you are a structural engineer and can punch the 12 pages of calcs on this I'd advise against it.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
I mean if you cut a hole directly in the center of the web and welded in a structural tube it would be theoretically roughly as strong as if it weren't there.
The material I'd use would be the one of the stronger like chromoly DOM tubing (1020 DOM A513 Round Steel Tube 3-1/2 OD x .250 wall x 3.00 ID). That would give you 1/4" clear around a 2.5" exhaust pipe. It'd be tight. You could go one step up to the 4 OD x .250 (1/4) Wall x 3.50 ID tube but thats a big hole, I'm not sure what the frame dimensions are on the 80.
Either-way I'd bolster it with brace plates on the sides.
The material I'd use would be the one of the stronger like chromoly DOM tubing (1020 DOM A513 Round Steel Tube 3-1/2 OD x .250 wall x 3.00 ID). That would give you 1/4" clear around a 2.5" exhaust pipe. It'd be tight. You could go one step up to the 4 OD x .250 (1/4) Wall x 3.50 ID tube but thats a big hole, I'm not sure what the frame dimensions are on the 80.
Either-way I'd bolster it with brace plates on the sides.
- Thread starter
- #6
I'm not worried about strength, it would be stronger than it is now being welded on both sides with a thick wall tube. I was just curious if anyone else had done it on an 80. It wouldn't be that difficult with a plasma cutter. You cut through the frame on mini trucks to sas them with zero issues.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
do it up. It would be unique.
I thought about doing that at the front of the frame for intercooler pipes, but that's out in front of the front crossmember where the frame horns aren't really holding anything on but the front bumper. If sufficiently reinforced, I don't see why you couldn't, but it seems like a lot more work than just custom bending an exhaust and adding extra heat shield. Not to mention potential issues on re-sale if you ever decide to sell the truck.
Go ahead and do it. Then report back after a while to let the rest of us know if we are idiots for not doing it.
That will allow you to be the trailblazer and get the rights to "I did it first!!!"
Better plate both sides with the pipe in the middle.
Good Luck!
That will allow you to be the trailblazer and get the rights to "I did it first!!!"
Better plate both sides with the pipe in the middle.
Good Luck!
