I just got done replacing the frame rails and putting 1”x1” tubing along the pinch welds.
Few questions:
- Is there anything else I should strengthen up before I paint? I see some people put outriggers attached to the frame rails but I don’t know what the benefit is.
- What’s the best way to strip the existing under coating? Take a wire wheel to the whole thing? Chemical strippers? Something else?
- What’s the undercoating of choice these days?
Here is what I have done so far…
Sound deadening needs to come off.
The undercarriage. Frame rails are pretty beat up and the pinch welds are bent over flat in some spots.
Looking pretty gnarly underneath. Those are the crappy patches I put on 7 years ago when I was in college.
Cut holes for the new rails.
Cut out some more rusty spots.
cutting out the rust.
note how mangled the pinch weld is. There was a lot of cutting and bending things back into place.
Fender bolts were frozen too. That panel will be replaced
New rails made from 2.5”x2.5” tubing. These will stick above the floorboards by about 1/2".
This one is for the driver’s side. Note I tapered it down by 1/2" so it won’t intrude into the driver’s side foot-well.
I welded both ends shut before installing.
There is a bunch of pics missing but here is everything all done.
It took me a while, largely because of the rust spots.
The tubing behind the pinch welds should be able to support a jack without bending, but I’ll use my beefy new frame rails instead.