aft frame repair

[daveinbama]

just finished ripping last 4 feet of the flooring out of my 71 safai and found street side frame rusted through on top of c channel directly under where the toilet would sit. was planning on splicing in new piece of frame inside the old frame. anyone tried this approach? Am planning on bolting new piece inside the old piece using slightly smaller c channel and going back far enough to catch good metal. looks to me the four foot section is salvagable since it only supports the toilet area. Am planning on doing both sides in this manner. I am open for oppinions

[TomW]

Originally Posted by daveinbama

...I am open for opinions

I guess everyone is afraid of the rock throwers at whatever possible solutions are posted. In the possible words of a noted guru here on the forum,

"daveinbama,

The only "correct" way to repair the damage is to cut out the rusted C-channel and weld in a replacement section."

I do not possess the skills necessary, and was not going to hire someone to come to my house & do it.

While I understand the goal in welding, my welds look terrible. But, armed with strength in the number of welds, I scabbed in a section of angle iron to reinforce the weakened area since it was only rusted out on the top of the C-channel.

Tom

[Sneakinup]

Daveinbama.... I did basically what you described, only in a different location. I had a hole rusted through the main beam near the water tank. The bottom of the C was in tact, and only about 1/3 of the side of the beam was gone, by about 10" long. I welded in a heavy piece of angle steel that was way longer than the hole itself, completely covering it, and giving it added support.

My welding skills (not necessarily the correct word) are lacking also, but the repair is hidden under the belly pan, and is strong enough to feel secure about.