Frame Straightening
#1
Frame Straightening
What all goes into straightening the frame? I know it isn't something I can do myself, but I'd like to know what all goes into it. Do they use hydraulic jacks or what? Also, does it make the frame considerably weaker? Idk if I should get it straightened out or just get the backhalf of another Ranger and have it welded on instead. Thanks
#2
i think it all depends on how much is bent.. if its really f'ed up its not worth straightening.. but its just a little tweaked then it'd be worth it.. i think they use a hydraulic puller thingy.. the TV show "trucks" on the powerblock straightened a frame on one of their project trucks using the puller thingy.
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#4
frame rails are one piece front to back on each side. they are then tied together by a series of crossmembers. It depends how bad its hit whether or not it can or should be repaired. If the ends are damaged a little bit, then it can work. If you have a diamond in the frame, that may be able to be fixed. If its really bad, then you are better off doing a frame swap or just getting another vehicle. I dont like sectioning frames myself, but it can be done.
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#18
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My frame on the drivers side was almost as bad. I took a oxy/acetelene torch and 3lb mallet and beat the living ***k out of it and shes almost as good as new. Ive got the step bumper and new brackets. (bought new brackets with the new bumper, then 2 months later bought a BL which came with new brackets. ugh. lol)
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Yeah. thats what I did to mine and I got it pretty close. I mean close enough that my bumper sits straight and flat. My hitch was a little customized to fit the frame, but then again when it got hit it had the hitch on so that beefy sucker go moved over pretty good too. Took me 2 hours of straihght beating to flatten out the sidebraces. And think about it, if your bumper sits straight, your hitch fits, whose going to know? and when you sell it, whats the likelyhood that anybody would notice it?
#22
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Actually with the bed off it would be easier. I did it with my bed on, but then again I did it at the same time as my body lift. One pointer is if you dont take the bed off and have a body lift on take the puck out or itll start to melt. Get the frame RED HOT and then beat the living hell out of it. If you have a pipe wrench and a big a** pipe, clamp that baby on there and pull when its hot. if its that kind of bend. Hard to tell from pic exactly. Also watch the taillight wiring.
#24
Those pics are too close to see anything, take some further away looking up and down the length of the truck, but from what i can tell its just where the bumper mounts that is tweaked, as long as its not damaged to the point the position of your springs sit you will be okay as far as alignment, and as for the bumper if it were me i would chain down the truck, and pull the bumper in the opposite direction of the impact until the frame is relatively back to its original shape, then hammer out the rest of the damage, fit the new bumper assuming your are putting one on to see how it fits, then do whatever tweaking and bending needed to make it fit properly. But if you don't have access to anything to do this with you will have to bring it to a shop. Should be a fairly quick fix, cost of a new bumper and a few hours labor for the pull.
#25