Is it OK to weld Tie Downs to Frame
Due to the after market bed and air bags on my truck Torklift does not have Tie down tubes to fit my truck. I found someone who can fabricate them and then weld them to the frame. Is this safe to do? ...
Forum Discussion
The great and powerful OZ predicts that you will get the following answers to your question:
"some people say it can weaken the integrity of the frame rails and others saying they have done it many times. Also, it sounds like shorting out the electronics could be an issue." :W
On a previous truck of mine (three trucks back), I had a fabricated tie-down fixture for the front tie-downs welded to the frame. No problems with the frame of that truck. I eventually had it removed and transferred to the truck that replaced it, but had it modified so it could be bolted to the frame (drilled holes in the frame). No problems with that truck's frame either........from the tie-down fixture that is. I also put air-bags on that truck, the kind that you had to drill holes for, and those holes developed cracks around them.
So of the two options, drilling or welding (assuming using existing holes is not an option) I'd choose welding.
:):)
"some people say it can weaken the integrity of the frame rails and others saying they have done it many times. Also, it sounds like shorting out the electronics could be an issue." :W
On a previous truck of mine (three trucks back), I had a fabricated tie-down fixture for the front tie-downs welded to the frame. No problems with the frame of that truck. I eventually had it removed and transferred to the truck that replaced it, but had it modified so it could be bolted to the frame (drilled holes in the frame). No problems with that truck's frame either........from the tie-down fixture that is. I also put air-bags on that truck, the kind that you had to drill holes for, and those holes developed cracks around them.
So of the two options, drilling or welding (assuming using existing holes is not an option) I'd choose welding.
:):)
