Copart bent frame replacement

Not a bad idea, thanks! I moved to Mobile a few years ago and haven’t made friends here. Everyone at work is either my boss or my report

 

I have one of these but I think the wheels might be too small to roll on the dirt and this thing is too heavy. It’ll break that thing probably

 

Located in Mobile, Alabama. It’s a dump

 

I still got to drop the old frame. I just got back from travel and about to leave again. It’s a good thing I’m in no rush

 

Get the axles off the bent frame and bolt them to the donor frame and roll it in.

 

That’s an excellent idea but the front is the heavy part. Still, I may be able to use the u bolts and mount it on the front

 

Build up the front knuckles, leave the coil overs out to simplify it (or not depends how much wrenching you want to do in the yard). You need to install the UCA with body off anyway. put some wheels on the front and role it in.

 

Let me just say there’s a reason these things are so tuff. There are braces on top of braces and reinforcements everywhere and it’s all heavy gauge steel

 

Ok guys, tomorrow is the moment of truth. I think I got everything off and the engine and trans strapped up to the body

 

Oh man good luck. I've done a couple salvaged title little cars but never a truck or a whole frame.

 

I would have never thought to keep the engine and trans strapped to the body like that, and then removing from the frame. It's either genius or a terrible idea lol.

I must say I'm impressed you are doing this in your garage with no lift. This certainly is one of those "necessity is the mother of invention" situations.

Good luck OP. I hope it works out for you. Keep us updated.

 

do you live in Huntsville? If so, I can help

 

I would say a terrible idea. That one he'll of alot a weight to be supported on those inner fenders. That are designed to crumble in a hit.

 

I'm a little concerned too. Would be better to have a longer crossbeam extending past the front fenders and supported from the outside of them.

But I hope it works for him. Very interesting thread and I hope the OP is successful.

 

I think he said he's in Mobile.

 

Live in Mobile but thanks

 

Nah, those inner fenders are considered part of the body’s structural frame. Hanging an engine is much different than smashing from the front.

 

Update: I got the frame out. What I would do differently is raise the body up more before dropping the frame. I had to jack it up several times to get past the crumpled parts of the frame and it’s a bit twisted to boot. It took a day to get it out because I went very slowly with an electric wench to drag it out. Every time I’d Jack it up I’d hear things creak, it was a bit stressful . The other should slide in no problem.

 

Can’t do that because the engine is still in the body

 

Well, at least you will have plenty of jack stands and ratchet straps if this thing doesn't work out. Kidding. Great job and be careful!