frame restoration

[Quickstop [UK]]

The body is coming off the frame and going into the shop for a clean and some powder coating but I need to straightne it up first, or at least check it is aligned correctly.

The shop has frame straightening hydraulics, but where can I get the correct dimensions fo them to do the job right?

has anyone done this? (frame bending or powdercoating?)

Any tips would be great.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: frame restoration

powder coating is nice, but if you ever weld anything or change anything on the frame it will be a bitch to fix the powder coating..

as for dimensions and what not.. all that info is in books that any shop with a frame straightening machine should have.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: frame restoration

good point...

what is the alternative then? just de rust it? I just want to preserve this thing - I'm never going to sell it (I hope).

The guy didn't have the numbers for this truck as it is so rare, especially in the UK.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: frame restoration

as for the frame it is the same as any other 4x4 jimmy/blazer from like 84-94..

as for other options, a good epoxy paint should look nice and prevent rust.. i just por-15d my syclones frame..

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: frame restoration

POR-15 is a great option if you do ever plan to modify your chassis. Mine is powdercoated and I would never have done it any other way, but I also do not plan to change anything, and it is hard to fix (I scuffed my front cross member on a speedbump, that was a pain to fix)

 

[DaveP]

Re: frame restoration

good point...
what is the alternative then? just de rust it? I just want to preserve this thing -

I've done a couple of 'frame off' SyTy projects. I was starting with not too rusty frames, so you may have different issues.

With the frame stripped ( No suspension, lines , etc) It's not real heavy. I use my engine hoist to move the front end, and just carry the rear. Takes two people.

I put it on saw horses in my back yard and washed it with de-greaser, simple green, brake cleaner, and a pressure washer until it was pretty clean. I used a 4" Makitia with a wire brush to get the stubborn spots. Use the engine hoist to raise, and flip it over, so you get top and bottom.

Here's the 'Magic': Spray the entire frame with "Ospho". This is a conversion coating that will treat the metal to form a zinc phospate coating. I buy a gallon of it, and put it in a hand-pump garden sprayer.Let it dry at least overnight. There will be both black and white spots of residue on the frame after the Ospho dries. Wire brush and bronze wool (bronze won't leave bits to rust, like steel wool will) it off. If there are any rusty spots re-treat them with Ospho, let dry and clean.

After you're satisfied with the rust prep, paint it. I used a Linear Polyurethane black in my DeVilbus gun. I was VERY satisfied with the results, and it only took about 3 afternoons of working on it to complete the prep and paint part. (While I was waiting for things to dry I worked on the suspension bits..)

One of the frames is under a S10 Blazer that I've driven 125,000MI in all weather since. There still isn't any visible rust.

The Ospho works! There may be different brand names in UK, but it's basically Phosphoric Acid. As long as you have the space to do the work, it's not a bad way to go. Very satisfying project... Good Luck!

Dave P
SoCal

 

[mattw]

Re: frame restoration

So are you guys boxing these frames and cleaning up the nasty factory welds while you have them stripped down?


-Matt

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: frame restoration

So are you guys boxing these frames and cleaning up the nasty factory welds while you have them stripped down?


-Matt

I thought about it, but i decided against it.. stock syclone shouldn't need it..