I've noticed my truck has a small crack where the panhard bracket welds to the frame under the steering box. From researching, it seems this is a relatively common location for cracking. I need to do a bit more cleaning / inspection, but it seems to be isolated to just the weld / panhard bracket and not the frame itself as others have had around the steering box bolts.
I'm debating on if its best to just grind / drill this crack and weld it or pull the steering box and weld the panhard/crack and plate the frame around the steering box. I have a few concerns with plating the frame. First, burning off the paint inside the frame so it can rust (going to happen with any repair). Second covering any future cracks on the frame with a plate so they can't be seen. Third creating a moisture trap between the frame and plate where rust can occur more easily.
Has anyone had any of these issues? It seems as long as I were to weld the plate completely maybe the moisture trap is less of an issue and its just the inside of the frame to worry about.
Any suggestions on decent paint to repaint the area with? I'd like to do something a bit better than rattle can so it lasts...even if that means a spray gun or some prep.
Finally, I have a 250A TIG welder so I am planning to TIG it rather than MIG. I don't really see any downside to that / the extra heat from TIG. Were these frames heat treated at all?
I'm debating on if its best to just grind / drill this crack and weld it or pull the steering box and weld the panhard/crack and plate the frame around the steering box. I have a few concerns with plating the frame. First, burning off the paint inside the frame so it can rust (going to happen with any repair). Second covering any future cracks on the frame with a plate so they can't be seen. Third creating a moisture trap between the frame and plate where rust can occur more easily.
Has anyone had any of these issues? It seems as long as I were to weld the plate completely maybe the moisture trap is less of an issue and its just the inside of the frame to worry about.
Any suggestions on decent paint to repaint the area with? I'd like to do something a bit better than rattle can so it lasts...even if that means a spray gun or some prep.
Finally, I have a 250A TIG welder so I am planning to TIG it rather than MIG. I don't really see any downside to that / the extra heat from TIG. Were these frames heat treated at all?