Reinforcement

[94K3500PROJECT]

I've seen some of these trucks driving around with bent frames. I haven't determined if they got overloaded or what. I kinda suspect they got rear-ended, but that's just my guess.

They look like the type of guys driving their vehicles until the wheels fall off, LOL.

Some of those that look bent are just rotted rear cab mounts making it look like the frame has issues

 

[94K3500PROJECT]

These things are as old as 33 years by now.
And with most of them if they haven’t been in an accident or aren’t rusty they are in good shape.
For a driver I’d pass on doing a bunch of welding on the frame.
For a rig that needs the heavier frame-whether serious beat down off-roading or for heavy towing/hauling I’d look at a 1ton truck.
The 1 ton frame is considerably thicker than the 1/2 ton stuff

 

[Supercharged111]

Far as I can tell, there are 3 frame thicknesses:

My 98 1500, 3/16".
99 ECLB dually that I junked, 1/4"
My 97 CC dually, 5/16".
A random CC 2500 I chopped the last few inches of frame off of, 5/16".

From what I can see, 1 ton isn't the secret sauce.

 

[94K3500PROJECT]

Far as I can tell, there are 3 frame thicknesses:

My 98 1500, 3/16".
99 ECLB dually that I junked, 1/4"
My 97 CC dually, 5/16".
A random CC 2500 I chopped the last few inches of frame off of, 5/16".

From what I can see, 1 ton isn't the secret sauce.

Both K3500’s I have messed with were crew cabs. I assumed all 1 tins were that thick

 

[Supercharged111]

Both K3500’s I have messed with were crew cabs. I assumed all 1 tins were that thick

So did I until I measured that one. I was surprised to see it wasn't as thick as my CC.

 

[454cid]

Some of those that look bent are just rotted rear cab mounts making it look like the frame has issues

My dads old 96 RCSB was like that. The interior was still nice, but the body was rotting terribly.