I recently bought a '95 Dodge ram 1500 single cab 6 foot bed, with 193000 miles on it. It has the 5.2 with the 46rh and is 2wd. I was greasing the rear suspension and i noticed this crack in the frame. Its right above the axle in between the two spring hangers.




When someone jumps in the bed i can see the two sides of the crack moving apart and back together.

What i am planning on doing is grinding away the metal around it and V grooving the crack and then welding up the seam of the crack. and then grinding it flush and bolting a rectangular plate of 1/4 steel over the crack. Do you think this would be worth the effort? Would it hold?

 

Weld the plate in place. Should be good to go. Keep an eye on it though.

 

The factory service manual that's available for download on this site tells how to deal with the repair correctly. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html

Dave

 

I don't know what the repair manual states, but V-grooving the crack, welding it up, grinding flat, actually if the crack ain't pulled apart, you could get away with just welding a plate as HeyYou states is how I would go about doing it. For many years I worked at a truck repair shop and we repaired ALOT in that manner.
The good thing on your frame mattr224 is it looks pretty RUST FREE!!! Up here in the "RUST BELT" (NEW York state on Lake Erie) the frames usually are to rusty to tepair. Usually we cut out sections and weld in good ones!!!

 

What do you guys think about bolting in this 1/4 inch plate without any welds (my welder is ****)?

 

I think I would find someone with a better welder..... Just the bolts, and you run the risk of them tearing out. That wouldn't be any fun at all.

 

HeyYou nailed it! Find someone to weld that plate in place.

 

In fact, I would not drill anymore holes through the frame (for bolts), it would weaken the frame even more.

 

X2! drilling holes is just another week spot where more cracks can start. Also did you check the other side?

 

I would stop drill the cracks (a small hole at the end of the crack) so they don't continue to grow (they will, even under welds).
Groove the cracks and weld them from both sides.
Grind flat, and weld the doubler plate over the top.

And I second no new holes.