Rear Frame Bent - What are my options???

[Marcos A]

Well a few weeks ago I wrecked my truck. Long story short, truck started to fishtail coming onto the road I overcorrected and ended up hitting the median which completely destroyed the wheel and bent the frame. I will try to post pics but the bed was shifted over 2-3 inches easily right after the cab.

So the body shop confirmed that the frame is bent and that because I have a C-Notch in the rear (4-6)that they would not be able to fix it (or at least fix it and warranty their work) and they submitted a claim for a new frame. All in all the claim is for over $8K for the new frame and rear end. I’m pretty sure the insurance company is not going to pay that.

But I wanted to know what are my options in repairing either the current frame I have, back half the rear, etc.

Since I am almost positive the insurance company is going to total the truck I am preparing myself to buy it back and considering all my options.

I appreciate all your help.

Ohhh and I have a 90 SCSB in case that makes a difference.

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[kennythewelder]

Find a donor truck, and cut what you need from it, them splice and weld in the new section of frame to your truck, or you could do a frame swap from a donor truck. If you splice in a new frame section, it needs to be Z spliced. Like they did in this video, but your not shortening the frame, your replacing the bent section. Also keep in mind that the center to center measurements from the center of the wheel ( from front to back) needs to be the same.

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[Hipster]

Easier to swap frames if you can get your hands on one. You need to be looking and measuring under the cab.
I would venture to guess the frame is tweaked up under the cab. I would also check the floor at the rear cab mounts for damage.

 

[LD68]

Agreed. I would find a doner truck and use the frame. The only way I would back half it is if I were going the pro street route ( narrowed frame and tubs)

 

[1989GMCSIERRA]

I would personally find a clean titled same RCSB and swap your stuff over to it. Maybe a blown drivetrain. Lots of people selling these old trucks that have been sitting, there is a RC stepside near me for $700 I thought about grabbing but I dint need anymore cars. If the insurance totals the truck which they probably will, the salvage or rebuilt title title will vastly impact the future worth of the vehicle if you decide to sell it. I know people say I’ll never sell it, I have said that myself, yet one of my Superduty 7.3s is up for sale.

If you’re set on repairing I would grab a complete frame. I wouldn’t try to fix yours. Unless you know how to jig it up weld it absolutely straight you may just always have issues. You’re gonna go and save it...get a solid frame not a pieced together one

 

[WillieWeed]

there are a few things you could do before a frame swap. what does the inside of the bed look like? have you done any measuring? from the pics it is hard to say just where you stand right now. these trucks don`t have the strongest of frames as trucks go, they do straiten kinda easy. have you looked under the truck?

 

[letitsnow]

I too might look at fixing this. The frames on these trucks are pretty weak - This is basically why I would never notch one haha. It probably wasn't straight from the factory, so I wouldn't be scared to fix it.

Back when I raced sport bikes, the first thing that we did when buying a NEW sport bike (to race) was strip it down and put it on the frame rack. We would then straighten the frame so that it turned both directions equally. These were japanese motorcycles that had very smart engineers and fairly strict mfg processes. If anybody thinks that an american made truck frame was straight when it left the assembly floor, that's funny.

 

[Marcos A]

Well guys Thanks for the suggestions. My biggest fear was confirmed Friday - the Insurance co is going to Total it out. I asked for the buyback value and I am waiting to hear back from them to see if it makes sense to buy it back from them and either 1. Rebuild onto a new/different frame or 2. strip the parts (Hood, Bumper, Grill, Rollcover, etc) off of it and go buy a replacement truck and sell the cab and bed off my current truck to someone else to take on this project. The bed and cab are mint to include a super clean Red Interior. Pretty sure someone will snatch it up.

 

[evilunclegrimace]

I'd be interested in buying the cab if you decide to sell it.

 

[Hipster]

Well guys Thanks for the suggestions. My biggest fear was confirmed Friday - the Insurance co is going to Total it out. I asked for the buyback value and I am waiting to hear back from them to see if it makes sense to buy it back from them and either 1. Rebuild onto a new/different frame or 2. strip the parts (Hood, Bumper, Grill, Rollcover, etc) off of it and go buy a replacement truck and sell the cab and bed off my current truck to someone else to take on this project. The bed and cab are mint to include a super clean Red Interior. Pretty sure someone will snatch it up.

Usually the buyback price is rather attractive.