[ckjakline]

My son has been looking for trucks for a little while now. Some of the crap he was showing me and the price they were asking was insane. The wife and i talked it over and my son bought my 2001 chevy 1500 hd, and i got a newer one.After the 6th truck i called about and was able to finally go look at 1 that was still available. I picked up a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD. Definitely handles the trailer very well.The project part of it is replacing the frame cross members on the 2001. I was planning to replace these anyway when i owned the truck. Started this project Christmas Eve day. Finished out the week with a lot to do yet. Kept finding more issues, had to order more parts and waiting on parts.Completely forgot to do before pictures just started tearing into it. Heres where i was at the end of the week.

 

[ckjakline]

The new work horse

 

[ckjakline]

Here’s where I’m at on my sons truck.

 

[ckjakline]

After the 2 cross members were welded in we gave the frame a coat of Ospho. Basically sulfuric acid to neutralize the rust. After that dried for 24 hours we started painting the frame with eastwood Rust encapsulater black.I still have the one cross member directly behind the cab to install. That one was riveted in. Just had to grind the rivets and use bolts to mount the new one. Wanted to get frame painted before mounting that one.

 

[Kster526]

Looking good my friend.
Love that new one you bought.

 

[HD-JD110Fan]

Looking good my friend.
Love that new one you bought.

Same here, great work on those repairs, and Nice truck that you got.

 

[Chaser]

Nice father son project!
New truck looks good, nice JD Bowtie.
Price of vehicles is insane right now!

 

[tsb3]

Nice ride there!
I have never seen anyone replace cross members before. Way cheaper then a truck!

 

[ckjakline]

Nice ride there PA!
I have never seen anyone replace cross members before. Way cheaper then a truck!

It's a p.i.a. A lot of cutting and grinding.
2 of the cross members are above the fuel tank. Water and dirt gather there and they rot out. No way to get in there and clean them out. If you have this era truck chances are they are rotted out.

 

[ckjakline]

Got the final cross member out today. This one is actually under the cab. All fuel lines removed. It wouldn’t have been long before the truck would have been out of commission for that. They pretty much crumbled at a couple of spots where the mounts hold them to the frame. Finished painting the frame.

Rust hole in cross member

 

[ckjakline]

Nice father son project!
New truck looks good, nice JD Bowtie.
Price of vehicles is insane right now!

Yea Tell me about it. a 2014 with 175000 miles on it they wanted 5gs less than the one i got with 75000 on the clock

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I had an 02 2500HD with over 300k. Similar rust to yours. Sold it for $6500.

 

[ckjakline]

Here’s a picture of what started this whole project. The rotted off pc that’s above gas tank.

Last weekend I got the holes in the frame opened up so the new cross member would fit in. I received the 1/8 plates I ordered to use for the frame pieces. Got the pieces measured and the 2 1/2” hole drilled in them. I also replaced all the rear brake line.

I also got the carrier bearing mount cut off the old cross member. forgot to get a picture of that.

 

[Chaser]

Awesome brother. We got some great fabricators on this group.
Split dual exhaust, gotta love it!

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Although it’s a little late… Dorman makes a really nice stainless brake line kit(prebent). As of about 6 years ago, it was around $100 from Rockauto. Their fuel line kit was similar in price as well.

 

[ckjakline]

Got the truck finished up last weekend. Passed inspection on tuesday now my son is off and running with the truck again.

 

[ckjakline]

Trying to figure out how to get the rest of the photos on. the paperclip icon is gone on my phone.

 

[ckjakline]

The final cross member in place.

 

[tsb3]

Nice work! 👍🏻
Should stay together for many years to come.

 

[Chaser]

Nice work brother, your son's got a nice ride!