Boxing the frame?

[Luba]

Anyone ever box the frame on a first gen blazer? And if so was it worth it? I am planning on a frame off and was thinking of boxing mine.

[bouncytruck]

Why do you need it boxed? Is it a 4wd or a 2wd truck? My understanding is that the frame needs a certain amount of flex for hard-core offroad use so most don't box them and for a 2wd you really only need to do it if you're running some massive powerplant.

[Chris27]

Don't know if it's really necessary. The first gen Bronco's have a fully boxed frame stock, and they wheel pretty good. (but their just not as cool as a blazer). It might be alot of work for nothing.

[onetonk5]

I cant imagine an instance where it would be beneficial. I would imagine many possibilities for stress cracks to start if you box the frame. Like bouncytruck said the frames are meant to flex a certain amount.

[RED72blazer]

While My experience with boxed frames is some what limited, and only from one make of vehicle.(Land Rover/Range Rover) We do see some stress fractures on heavily wheeled rigs.

[Doghouse]

Luba, were you thinking of boxing the frame in lue of using rocker (torsion) boxes? I need to replace mine and was thinking of doing the same thing.Bob.

[bouncytruck]

The rocker boxes support the tub. Boxing the frame won't have any effect on the tub as far as the support provided by the rocker boxes.

[Jtrux]

I think it would be a good idea to do some reinforcing. I was wheeling my blazer earlier this week with all the rain we've been having down here in San Antonio and when I got it up on some hills and flexed the suspension the framed flexed so much that I couldn't open the doors and it also affected the clutch a little.

[onetonk5]

Originally Posted by Jtrux

I think it would be a good idea to do some reinforcing. I was wheeling my blazer earlier this week with all the rain we've been having down here in San Antonio and when I got it up on some hills and flexed the suspension the framed flexed so much that I couldn't open the doors and it also affected the clutch a little.

A well built cage will help with those problems.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by onetonk5

A well built cage will help with those problems.

exactly what I was thinking.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Doghouse

Luba, were you thinking of boxing the frame in lue of using rocker (torsion) boxes? I need to replace mine and was thinking of doing the same thing.Bob.

Boxing the frame will be of zero help for the lack of rockers.

1st gen frames were designed to flex, like it or not.
Boxing it so it won't flex will only result in those stress loads going elsewhere, most likely to inflict bigger problems as a result.

[Luba]

This is for a 4x4 that will have 1 ton axles, 35 inch tires, and 600+ hp under the hood. It will be for sand and mud drags, maybe mud bogs, and street cruising plus the sand dunes- no rock crawling. I also plan on having a full cage tied to the frame- along with the windshield, firewall, and bedsides. Also thinking of a 4 link front and rear. I just don't see how these frames are suppose to flex. I think by doing all of the above, it should stop the flexing. I have a buddy who boxed his frame on a 78 chevy pick-up running about the same set-up and he said it was well worth it. I don't mind the work I am doing it myself so it won't be a big deal. I think it would be similar to running solid motor mounts. If everything is caged and boxed to each other securely, I can't see any negatives. What do you think?

[pumpkin]

Boxing the frame will lead to the frame rusting out very quickly. By welding it you will leave a surface that will rust very quick, and you cannot get inside the frame to treat it properly. Add to that aall the mud and sand will fill up the boxed frame and help it rust even quicker, as well as the extra weight you'll be carrying. In my neck of the woods you still see early Blazer,s, but early bronco's are just about extinked, mostly because the frames are rusted out wors than the bodies.

[Luba]

What about powdercoating or dipping the frame?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

This is for a 4x4 that will have 1 ton axles, 35 inch tires, and 600+ hp under the hood. It will be for sand and mud drags, maybe mud bogs, and street cruising plus the sand dunes- no rock crawling. I also plan on having a full cage tied to the frame- along with the windshield, firewall, and bedsides. Also thinking of a 4 link front and rear. I just don't see how these frames are suppose to flex. I think by doing all of the above, it should stop the flexing. I have a buddy who boxed his frame on a 78 chevy pick-up running about the same set-up and he said it was well worth it. I don't mind the work I am doing it myself so it won't be a big deal. I think it would be similar to running solid motor mounts. If everything is caged and boxed to each other securely, I can't see any negatives. What do you think?

I think your suspension better be up to the task.

[onetonk5]

Go ahead and box the frame.....prove us all wrong. You may like it.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by onetonk5

Go ahead and box the frame.....prove us all wrong. You may like it.

Only time will tell...

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

What about powdercoating or dipping the frame?

Powder coating is still a spray on coating. IMHO if I was to box my frame, I would galvanize it.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

I think it would be similar to running solid motor mounts. If everything is caged and boxed to each other securely, I can't see any negatives. What do you think?

It will be nothing similar to solid engine mounts.

when you box the frame you will make everything a lot stiffer. Have you given much thought to energy transfer? Where do you think all the force will go when you are wheeling and hit a sizable bump? It's not just going to disappear in to thin air.

I work on vehicles EVERYDAY with boxed frames. I am by no means an expert. But when I see ten year old trucks with frame issues, and I have a 35 year old truck with no frame problems....it gets me wondering.

[sandking]

I was thinking about doing this to my Blazer also (more into desert racing not crawling), but after reading this. I will just reinforce the areas that I think need to be. I will have a strong 1-3/4 DOM cage tied to the frame at many different locations.

As far as energy transfer, if your suspension is set up correctly, it will absorb the energy. Compression is your friend.

[Luba]

You guys may want to read this thread on another board about boxing a 72 blazer. I want my suspension to flex not the frame.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=frame+boxing

[Luba]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

It will be nothing similar to solid engine mounts.

Your kidding right? Have you ever seen ripped stock motor mounts on a high torque motor. That is why we solid mount performance motors to keep them from twisting and ripping the flexy stock rubber engine mounts. This is similar to stiffing a frame by boxing it. It is kinda of weird that this site has the exact opposite opinion to this frame boxing question as compared to pirate 4x4.

[sandking]

Originally Posted by Luba

You guys may want to read this thread on another board about boxing a 72 blazer. I want my suspension to flex not the frame.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=frame+boxing

hhhhhmmmm.................... good reading there!!! Now I am just as confused as to what to do as that guy was.

[dentmaster]

I am in the middle of a ground up restoration also...I boxed my frame around the steering box only.Then I powdercoated the whole frame... If you run a big tire it will help to keep the frame from flexing at times.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

Your kidding right? Have you ever seen ripped stock motor mounts on a high torque motor. That is why we solid mount performance motors to keep them from twisting and ripping the flexy stock rubber engine mounts. This is similar to stiffing a frame by boxing it. It is kinda of weird that this site has the exact opposite opinion to this frame boxing question as compared to pirate 4x4.

How is boxing a frame(eliminating chassis flex) the same as solid motor mounts?( eliminating the engine from torquing on it's mounts).

yes in fact I have seen many torn mounts...usually because some cheap ass doesn't replace his tired worn originals when installing a new engine.

Are you talking about motor plates or poly mounts?