Al_Maryland

I want to mig weld some brackets to my frame. Do I need to do anything before hand to my truck when welding brackets to the frame? I have heard that people disconnect the battery and/or the ECU before welding on a vehicle. I have also seen muffler shops weld away on a vehicle, with out doing any of the above. Any help would be appreciated.

futat2

stay on the safe side, disconnect battery, have fire extinguisher on stand buy. that should be good. if you welding around the fuel tank a fire proof blanket shoved around the tank wouldn't hurt. other then that pics of the project....

Steve83

You shouldn't. It would be better to bolt them on.Either way, you should follow Ford's guidelines on frame modification for your particular truck. The caption of this diagram contains the older guidelines, and a link to the Ford site with all later years' instructions:


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STingray1300

Agreed. If you're asking questions like this, you are not qualified to do the job. There's a lot more engineering involved in a frame than one thinks. Heating the frame temper to 6,000ºF + is a good way to set yourself up for some major problems in the future. You really should try to find a way to bolt, whatever you want, onto the frame.

BTW, there *is* a way to weld to these frames, but it's an involved process.

I wish you success!

chimmike

Like everyone said. These aren't old-school ladder frames that you see guys boxing in/welding on all the time on car shows. these modern frames specifically engineered and the metallurgy is specifically designed and chosen for strength. Any major changes, including bolting or welding, could result in some majorly unwanted issues.

Steve83

The technology behind modern pickup frames is no different than it was 30 years ago; only the design has changed slightly to make them more-rigid & lighter. Ford still isn't using high-alloy hardened steel with nitrocarburized finish - it's just common ~30Ksi steel like always. It might be painted a little better, but that's it.

The issue is that, with the DEcrease in weight, they become more sensitive to changes - shape (holes) or hardness (tempering, due to weld heat). Either one done wrong can lead to catastrophic failure. So read Ford's guidelines, and follow them.

The electronics issues is also a big concern, but that's just financial - not safety. If you fry the PCM, you'll know right away; it won't sneak up on you a month or decade later.

J15

Truck engineer here. Don’t weld to the frame. As mentioned above, the heat can weaken the metal. Drill holes as close to the center of the vertical legs of the frame as possible. Drill the smallest hole size that works for your application and make sure you maintain at least a 1” gap between your drill location and the nearest hole or frame feature. Pay close attention to the type of metal used in your brackets and fasteners vs the frame. Dissimilar metals can lead to corrosion issues.

mass-hole

Ask the early raptor owners about how sensitive their frames were lol.

montanaman

You guys are as cautious as old ladies


He's not making a straight cut across the frame, he's attaching brackets.


Yes - disconnect the ground terminal of the battery.


I assume you're using thin metal for the brackets or you'd be MIG welding it.


Go to a welding supplier, like an AIRGAS, get some ER70s-6 TIG rod, probably 3/32" or 1/8" and TIG away. Prep work is the key to a good job - take it down to new metal, and when you're done repaint it for corrosion protection. Make sure you have adequate Argon if you want it to flow nice.

STingray1300

He wants to *MIG* weld (not TIG). And you're advising someone who has only a very basic knowledge of welding (apparently), and if he does it wrong he'll be up $_ _t creek if he screws it up.

(above comment from a 30 year certified welder)