Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseyBrown
I plan on installing outriggers for levelers. I have heard that welding is a no-no on truck frames because it will ruin the temper. On the the other hand I have seen welding done.
So, whats the scoop, can I weld to the frame, or do I have to bolt things on ?
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Outriggers sound like an extreme solution to a problem with many other solutions-just sayin'.
Welding frames is a topic that encroaches on the mystery of automotive engineering, and we DIYers should tread carefully.
There is no clear or good information on welding automotive frames. Generally, it appears that all frames are manufactured and hardened ('tempered') so they are strong and somewhat flexible but not brittle. If you weld in areas of stress, such as around leaf spring brackets or near crossmembers you risk your welding will change the temper of the steel, if it is tempered, and again, it appears most vehicle frames are.
'Don't do it' is all over the Internet, because
You May Do Something Tragic!
My limited experience with welding tempered steel is trying to use bedrail, which is wicked tempered, and that stuff just cracks around the joints. I'm told you can heat up the steel and let it cool gradually, untempering it, then it will weld okay, but that's a project for a future date.
For buses, my opinion is you can spot weld just fine, for instance, to attach a bumper or secure a bracket for a stabilizer. There's enough evidence that whatever tempering is done to a bus frame it's not so extreme that you screw up the steel around the weld.
Having said that I just don't plan on doing it because my dinky bus is 14K pounds of force parked, and many times that on the road at highway speeds. This seems like a good place not to take chances if bolting is an option.
I fabricated a bumper extension and hitch receiver, but I bolted it to the frame. When I drilled the C channel it definitely felt like more than mild untempered steel, for what that's worth.
Bolt hole placement is another topic, but because most of my bolt holes were already there I felt adding a few on the frame behind the rear spring mounts was an acceptable risk.