Fully boxed frame vs c-channel

Nope

 

I was curious what the numbers (roughly) were and was bored.

Pulled out my ass; 4x2 frame with 0.125" walls but:

Torsional stiffness (like when you're flexing) increases by ~42%.
Vertical bending stiffness (whoops, jumps, speed bumps, load in bed, etc.) increases by ~23%

Granted, you have a 50% increase in materials and there's more structurally efficient ways to do it, but considering how (relatively) easy it is to box the frame versus other options, that's a pretty good return on investment.

 

no

 

#fuckyeahmath

 

Obviously the BEST way is to cage the truck. But that's expensive, heavy, and uncomfortable (loud cab, race seats /harnesses, and helmets)

Boxing the frame is a good compromise as long as you don't need rollover protection

I'm still torn on the center section. That shit is like a half inch thick as it is. I'm not sure how much the boxing plates will add

 

yeah I was just under my truck. That middle section is thick.

For boxing the rear, would you box in both open C rails AND tie them together with an X?

It’s the big X pattern that I’ve seen some do to join both rails together after boxing them in that makes me wonder about the spare still fitting...

 

Just depends on your level of commitment and the fabricators preference to keep or remove factory crossmembers, but the x in the back needs to stay imo.. Pros and cons to both, but the same is achieved in the end. Mine has the factory crossmembers removed and replaced with tube. Bunch of work, expensive to do correctly, but definitely stronger, just not sure that much is needed. I like it though, works great. Obviously no spare, probably not too hard to make one work, but way easier with the factory x brace.

 

Are you jumping your truck? Hucking dunes? Doing 1450 stuff with your friends? If you say no, just box it and retain the stock crossmembers. It's a lot of weight to add some 1.5 120 DOM as crossmembers. I've seen it done, but then I have the question of why not just back-half it?

I'm honestly surprised your shit isn't back-halfed.

 

Dave I love you man you the homie. But respectfully, that shit is overkill haha

The factory X brace works great. Its specifically designed to stiffen torsional rigidity. And it doesnt add a lot of weight. Just box the c channel and make sure the boxing plates are contoured to the shape of the X brace so that the X brace is fully integrated into the new boxed frame. Spare tire will be unaffected

I've been wheeling this truck since 2013 and in that time I've wheeled with MANY trucks and seen MANY different setups. Dont overthink this shit, box the rear and call it a day.

 

You mean like this?

 

Haha, think I said that. A little overkill can’t hurt though.

 

And I did it first, see a few shops trying to copy my junk now lol.

 

Too late. Already over thought and copied Dave's truck.

 

Yep Warren, if I could explain how much work goes into what you, Joon, and I have done it would be ignored by most. Definitely overkill. I cringe when I see shops removing crossmembers without replacing, then webbing some tube between the added inside plates.

 

Does anyone make a frame boxing kit? Or do you have to make your own?

 

I never found a kit. It wasn't too hard to fabricate the pieces but it was kinda labor intensive. There are a lot of ways to screw it up. I copied what I'd seen a fabricator do.