Overlander 26' 1967 frame repair with subfloor in place?

[sailormom]

Hello all. I've searched but haven't seen this answered--apologies as it is probably addressed somewhere! Our AS has a solid subfloor that was redone a few years ago. The belly pan is dropped. The frame has rust but not "rot". However, we would like to have a welder take a look and maybe add some extra reinforcing where needed just to make sure and we will apply POR to the whole underpart of the frame after. Also, there is a small bend in the frame (we assume a bad road bump at some point) that does not affect the tracking or anything like that we wanted to see if something can be done.

Question 1: Does anyone know if the welding reinforcement can be done from underneath (no belly pan is there) without removing the subfloor for access?

Question 2: Can the frame also be straightened without further disassembly do you think? I understand that there are various "levels" of frame bend and you have to be careful that the straightening process doesn't cause the skin to disconnect so it's also possible we will just leave it alone and have it welded/reinforced at that point as well.

Thanks in advance.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by sailormom

Hello all. I've searched but haven't seen this answered--apologies as it is probably addressed somewhere! Our AS has a solid subfloor that was redone a few years ago. The belly pan is dropped. The frame has rust but not "rot". However, we would like to have a welder take a look and maybe add some extra reinforcing where needed just to make sure and we will apply POR to the whole underpart of the frame after. Also, there is a small bend in the frame (we assume a bad road bump at some point) that does not affect the tracking or anything like that we wanted to see if something can be done.

Question 1: Does anyone know if the welding reinforcement can be done from underneath (no belly pan is there) without removing the subfloor for access?

Question 2: Can the frame also be straightened without further disassembly do you think? I understand that there are various "levels" of frame bend and you have to be careful that the straightening process doesn't cause the skin to disconnect so it's also possible we will just leave it alone and have it welded/reinforced at that point as well.

Thanks in advance.

Post photos of the affected area. Welding from below shouldn't present any huge problems, but reinforcing a bent frame without straightening isn't a good approach.
Colin

[sailormom]

[sailormom]

So the rear end does have some frame sag (both sides even), see the usual skin bulge over tires. It's a 26 footer, 1967. The rear end is currently separated and my husband wants to do the new subfloor and fix for that as we've researched a bunch and want it done right. We will get new axles too before it starts being used. There is frame rust but not bad structural rot (but will have welder inspect and address). But I'm not sure whether to look at the frame strengtheners. Also, on the one side only (pictured) there is an actual bend in the frame. Looks big but not noticeable in terms of tire wear, etc. My concern is that if we have someone fix the bend they might mess up the all-important quarter panels which are perfect. I wanted to get advice and learn before we proceed with having someone repair.

The subfloor in the rear bath area will be entirely removed and we CAN remove up subfloor up to tires too but it's not rotted there so trying to figure out how much we will need to remove.

Thanks in advance

[silver 67]

We replaced the floor in one piece in the back which is the bathroom without much trouble with the shell on. Of course we had to take everything out of the bathroom to do that.

[sailormom]

Thanks, "Beth and/or David". Luckily, we have everything out of the bathroom already and we generally understand the process of removing/replacing the subfloor and repair of rear end separation but we are less sure about the straightening of the frame on the one side that is visibly bent. Right now I am thinking that we would have that part straightened first. Then look at whether there is other frame welding repair needed and then fix the rear end separation. It's a "chicken or the egg" problem!

[dieselsnack]

Ya'll ever get any further along on this one?