Pickup IFS Crossmember bent?

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Dec 24, 2015
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Vermont
Hi everybody, brand new here, but figured I'd start things out with a little bit of quandry I'm in. I picked up a 90' Pickup for next to nothing, and am planning on doing an SAS on it, but noticed that one of the IFS crossmembers looks pretty funky. Can't tell if this is an insane bend, or mounted strangely. Previous owner said it has some sort of drop bracket lift kit on it, and he wheeled it pretty hard, so I'm not surprised if it got nailed somehow. My question is, do you guys think I need to worry about frame damage, or getting frame alignment done somehow?

I'm really not all that familiar with these trucks, so any input would be great. Sorry for the bad picture, just snapped it tonight.

IMG_07852.jpg
 
It almost looks like the right side still has the drop on it
 
Yeah it's pretty interesting. I've driven the truck a few times, and it doesn't seem to pull right or left, and still sits level, so I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. Haven't dug in yet though, just wanted to see if someone here more knowledgeable than I has ever seen something similar.
 
That looks like some backwoods hillbilly s*** to me. Looks like he bent it then re welded it back up. Good idea to get rid of all that ifs garbage
 
That looks like some backwoods hillbilly s*** to me. Looks like he bent it then re welded it back up. Good idea to get rid of all that ifs garbage

I agree completely. It's all getting ripped out and SASd anyway, so I'm not worried about it. Any easy way to see if there is frame bending though?

Doesn't seem like it would torque like that, but I mean I guess anything's possible. If it is, I'm probably going to need to find another donor frame, which sucks because this frame is pretty rust free for being a VT vehicle.
 
Unless the vehicle was in an accident or rolled I doubt there is any frame damage. The IFS frames are stronger up front than leafed ones but either way, both can take a good beating from wheelin. Looks like he just came down on it really hard. I'd say your probably fine but then again I'm just some dude on the interwebs mouthing my opinion. If you really want to know, take it to a body shop and have them throw it on the car-o-liner rack and have them check it out. I work at a body shop with one of those and it's a pretty trick piece of machinery/software. They just take 4 points off your frame and the software tells all. I can't see it being too expensive to just have them check it, takes about 20-30 mins. If you lived in Northern California id say bring it to my shop.
 
Another alternative although not as precise would be get out your tape measure and start making measurements from frame points
 
Who cares if the frame is tweaked a little? If it's not obviously bent, I wouldn't worry about it. Torch off that IFS crap, do the SAS, wheel the snot out of it.
 
If it were stock there would be no crossmember there at all. Im guessing its part of the drop bracket or was added. I added one to mine when it was stock height as the rear lower a arm mounts (pictured) can flex outwards when lots of power, lockers, or dual cases are used. With the drop bracket it would be needed even more.
Keep it untill you sas.
 

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