1950 Willys Truck re-rebuild by 50wllystrk

4 minute(s) of a 620 minute read

Jeff88, you pose a good question about strength. I personally have no way to test the overall strength of the repair. I am posting a previous picture. In this original picture you'll see a web like brace that goes from top to bottom of the inside of the frame. I will be cutting a new replacement for this web soon. It'll add a good brace to elliminate flexing that could lead to frame cracking.

Also the main cross brace does a real good job of tying the top frame, side frame and bottom frame together also. It uses 6 bolts on each end that bolts to the top, side and bottom of the frame also

Also, the front spring perches are bolted to the frame with four bolts, two on the side frame and two that bolt to the bottom of the frame.

Then we get down to final judgement.....It's gotta be better that it was.

Yes, when it's done I'll be taking a look at the repairs as I use the truck, especially after heavy loads.

Since we've touched on the main cross brace I just got the pics loaded. A couple posts back I posted them after sandblasting. They were in need. After a little bending, shaping, grinding and welding I've brought them back to a usable condition again.
Hope you like.....

You definetly are opening up quite a subject. I mean this in a positive view.

I say this because about the time I built this truck back in 1985 I started building all sorts of stuff from steel. Things from off road go-karts, converting motocycles to 4 wheelers ect. The key thing is trying to build someting strong YET, not any heavier than needed.

Now comes the stuff many people overlook. When a car, truck, atv, motorcycle is built there are a ton of decisions, for instance. Look at 4-wheelers, Polaris vs most other atvs. Things I notice is the use of angle iron vs round tubing. First polaris I saw was the lack round tubing. Not that there is anything wrong, it was the first thing I noticed. Most notice the cosmetics, I went for the structure.

I guess what I'm saying is yes, you do develope an eye for welds and fabrication over time. Not that I'm patting my own back here, I've had to redue many projects in the past. Remember, it's not always the end result, it's the journey and what you learned along the way. That's what builds character.

Back to your comment about looking at a weld or fabrication, when you've done it for years you do become aware of strengths and weaknesses.

But remember.... one doesn't know the strength of fabrication til it accually breaks, ouch. Let's hope it doesn't come to that on this truck.

Pretty well finished the main cross frame. I just have it in place to get a look at the fit and finish. Just a couple more holes to drill and I'm happy with it. This has to be finished and set before I cut and weld in the frame webbing that goes in front of it. Once the webbing brace is welded in, this cross brace is in for good.