rear frame C-channel

[Matt16]

I'll be swapping frames in not too long and I ripped out the stiffening plates on the inside of the C-channel section of frame. I'd like to know if its strong enough to tolerate moderate wheeling on its own with no reinforcements or if it neeeds plating. I'm worried about the shackle hanger not being supported well enough to stand up to the beating.

rivets drilled out and the stiffening plate being pulled

 

[Dynosoar]

Please tell me that is not the frame you are swapping in!

If the answer is yes, you need to reconsider your plan.


Dynosoar

 

[MSGGrunt]

I have read somewhere that the inner reinforcement helps to prevent the spring hanger rivets from pulling out. I just bought a 88 62 that will need to have this area addressed as well. I have also read that on a 62 series that if you fully box the rear frame it won't leave enough room to remove the gas tank.

I like how a fellow mudder dealt with this problem.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I'd definitely replace the inner c-channel. It's a non-question in my opinion.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I agree, Toyota put it there for a reason. The one reason we all love our Cruisers is that they are over engineered. I can't see where it would be that hard to have a piece of steel bent the exact size of the inner frame channel and either bolt or weld it in.

 

[Matt16]

I agree, Toyota put it there for a reason. The one reason we all love our Cruisers is that they are over engineered. I can't see where it would be that hard to have a piece of steel bent the exact size of the inner frame channel and either bolt or weld it in.

I was thinking that perhaps in was in place as a factory-installed brace for towing.

I think I will most likely pursue the solution in the picture of the silver-painted (Rust Bullet) frame. Wonder if that width channel hard to find?

 

[MSGGrunt]

I have searched this in preparation for my future fix and I believe the owner of the above picture said he had a piece custom bent to fit within the LC frame. I saw another thread where a piece of square tubing was cut down its length that fit within the frame rail. I will probably have a piece custom bent. I see this as the easiest option. Make sure you use grade 8 bolts if you go the route in the picture above.

 

[baxter650]

I am kind of surprised to see your not done yet.
Did you run into a manpower problem?

 

[Kynot62]

That doesn't even count as rust. This is the frame I chopped up and threw away. The pictures don't even show more than half the boxed section rusted all the way through. I drove this thing for over a month 22 miles to work each way!

Tony

 

[baxter650]

Please tell me that is not the frame you are swapping in!

If the answer is yes, you need to reconsider your plan.


Dynosoar

The frame is in very good shape, the rust is contained to the doublers themselves.

 

[Matt16]

Baxter650 sold me the frame, the inside of the frame is almost clean enough to eat off, as Baxter650 says, the rust is only affecting the stiffener plates, which is fine with me.

I am kind of surprised to see your not done yet.
Did you run into a manpower problem?

Nah, the driveway got nixed as a venue for the frame swap, so I'm looking for an alternate location to do the swap, otherwise its off to EBI...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That doesn't even count as rust. This is the frame I chopped up and threw away. The pictures don't even show more than half the boxed section rusted all the way through. I drove this thing for over a month 22 miles to work each way!

Tony

Looks exactly like my current DD frame.

 

[baxter650]

Matt you could take some measurements and make a call to a few steel outfits and see what if any channel or tubing there is that would fit.
If you go the tube route and cut out one side, cut out the seam side.
If you are still after gears you will have to wait a bit, i dropped the old diffs off at a friends house.
He works out of the country and won't be back for a few weeks yet.

 

[Moby]

A number of years ago I had a local frame shop pull the rusty c-channel on my frame and replace it. They had a local shop make the replacement channels from slightly heavier than stock guage. Basically ended up the same as the pic of the bolted in replacement above except that they stitch welded it in as well as using grade 8 hardware to replace the rivets. Weird that my frame is almost completely rust free except for those c-channels. There really isn't even surface rust anywhere else...

 

[baxter650]

That's why i would bolt them in if i was to go that route.
If you can remove them to inspect and maintain great.
I left mine open without boxing or C channel, but i don't plan on towing and i removed 10" from that area so the rear x member is closer to the spring mount.
I would box it in making provisions for access to the hanger mount nuts with a stitch weld front and rear for good measure.

 

[VILKAR]

I removed the inner c-channel and boxed it. Dont know yet if there would be a problem to install the tank because the frame and body are not attatched at the moment.

 

[Melloj123]

The picture in post 3 is my work. As stated before, a real PITA to do with the body on. Dont remember the dimensions of the channnel I had bent. I think I went 1/8 under size because I was not sure of the tolerance of the bend and I wanted to be sure it fit inside the rail. Pulled in nicely with the bolts. I dont ever plan on taking mine apart again. Figure it will go at least another 20 years.

 

[baxter650]

Unless the 62 tank is wider than the 60 i can't see a problem getting it into place.

 

[mountaincoolcruiser]

C- channel

Hey guys,

Just went through the same thing on my 60/62/61 which I am working on. The easiest way i found was to call up specter off road SOR.com and buy a clean set. cost me a $100 bucks but no cutting or drilling needed (except for upsizing for bolts) They were great at getting me the parts quickly.

 

[Lugal]

Mountancoolcruiser, you mean to say that SOR sells replacement c-channels? What's the part # on those? I can't find them in their online catalog. Do you have pics of yours?