72 highboy frame- what to do with this

[madtom]

I've got a 72 f250 highboy stripped to the frame. The body was rusted beyond repair, but the frame looked okay.
Anyway, here's what I found above the rear axle, and between the front and rear spring hangers. Other than this, the rest doesn't look too bad.

How bad is this? I'm a decent welder, but not sure the best way to go about it. Could this be "patched" or does it need to be cut out?
I have another 72 f250 frame, I could borrow from.
Thanks for any advice.

[Manny]

If you have a good welder and can burn it in good. Get to patching! i would get the same gauge metal and start welding it up. Probably be a process of, brace it, cut it out, weld in new metal. Still think it looks savable.

[madtom]

Manny- thanks for the encouragement, we're gonna tackle it as soon as I get the front half put back together.

[Manny]

No problem it takes alot for them to be to far gone to me!

[daveford72]

I fixed my 70 F350 frame with a piece of frame from another 350 frame.http://ww.fordification.com/forum/downl ... w&id=36121

[madtom]

This is probably a dumb question, but if you scab a new plate on the outside, the spring hangers (and everything else) will be "scooted over" the thickness of the plate. Does this 1/4" or so cause any problems? In other words, does it throw anything outa whack on the rearend?

[Manny]

This is probably a dumb question, but if you scab a new plate on the outside, the spring hangers (and everything else) will be "scooted over" the thickness of the plate. Does this 1/4" or so cause any problems? In other words, does it throw anything outa whack on the rearend?

My opinion would be to cut out and the weld in plate. Your can scab over however the results would not be as good as a flush weld in repair.

[madtom]

Thanks for the advice. I've almost got my engine put back together and will be starting on the frame soon (I hope).

[daveford72]

I have seen this done on trucks from 10k lb thru 58k lb trucks. I did this because the bottom lip of frame was missing. Its plated on the inside as well. The company I work for stretches trucks.