Frame repair

[landlubber]

Looking to patch a hole in my unibody/frame just in front of the drivers side rear spring shakel, what thickness of metal is recommended?

 

Got a stick welder and am modestly compitent at using it, want to get it done before salt hits the road, thanks.

[landlubber]

The only stock I have is 1/4in plate, probably a bit of an overkill

[mkbruin]

You are patching over a unibody... there is no such thing as overkill.

[landlubber]

Any ideas? I failed inspection for a spot that is about 8" on the rail where the inside and the bottom meet.

 

I'm thinking just some angle iron. But I am no expert.

[Eagle]

You are patching over a unibody... there is no such thing as overkill.

Yes, there is. If the two pieces aren't at least similar in thickness, you don't get penetration on the thick piece without burning through the thin piece.

[kyleag89]

:agree: There is a spot on my frame that had to be repaired and it looks to be about an 1/8" thick at most.

[CheapCherokee]

i'm repairing a section of frame myself. you can see here and on the next page what i've been doing. http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1064643&page=2

 

I'm using 1/8" thick and so far its been great! lots of penetration and no burning holes

[terrawombat]

I had to cut out about a 16" section on the bottom of each frame rail, right about where the driver and passenger's butt sits. I used 3/16" mild steel plate and I had no problems burning through the existing, good steel on the frame rails. I concentrated the heat on the edge of the 3/16" plate and would drag the weld over to the thinner steel on the frame rails. Worked great and got excellent penetration. Went over it with a flapper sanding disc and contoured it into the frame rail so it looks like it was never touched.