pickup frame

[shadow8536]

Has anyone ever used a frame from an old pickup truck? I had an 89 Chevy S-10 that started to fall apart and was finally replaced in 2000. I kept the S-10 and dissasembled it to the frame. Then I cut the front suspension off, bent the side rails in and mounted it to a square tube and added a coupler and some lights. The bed was rotted out and couldnt hold up so i made a stake bed box for it. Now I am in the process of using it as a base for the Generic benroy. I welded angle on the frame to support the floor and to make it level. I am looking at 10' x 5'. Everything below the floor will be for storage for chairs and the electrical stuff. It is kind of low, has 14 inch rims with a 75 tire, the shocks are for a 4wd to make it stiffer, and it has its own built in spare mount. I figured it would be a good platform because I don't have to worry about weight a whole lot. The axle is an open differential so I don't have to worry about tires squeeling around turns or skipping. Also if I need brakes, it would just be a visit to the junkyard for the drum internals. I have the drums, but all the hydraulics are removed. Any thoughts on why it may not be suitable. I only see the good things from it.

[High Desert]

as long as the weight is not an issue it should make a more than solid enough base IMO. I'm sure there are some brackets and mounts that will no longer be needed that could be removed to lighten it up and clean up the look if you wanted. Another option for adding brakes later would be to swap the axle for a tube trailer axle with electric brakes already on it. That would loose some weight too as a side benefit.

Good luck with the build

[Arne]

way too heavy.

[madjack]

way too heavy.

...agreed...even if you have plenty of tow vehicle to pull it, do you really wanna pay the gas millage penalty in this day and age of rising prices...plus the suspension may be OK for a utility trailer but would be way too much for a standard type of TD...bottom line...none of this matters...you are building it and if it suits you...YAY........
madjack