ord frame brace,

76gmc

76gmc

Active Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Location
K-vegas
ok let me start from the begining here..
i drive a 76 gmc, 4' lift (leafs front blocks back) 35' mud doggs,chevy 350,th350,np203. i pulled my wheel off last week to replace what seemed to be a worn out wheel bearing..turns out my whole axle was screwed...so, i buy a new axle. a dana 44 with 4.88 gear ratio and a cross over steering..huge improvement from my mostly stock dana 44 with a 4.10 ratio..lol..while trying to remove the old steering box from my frame i noticed that not only is it bolted but welded to the frame it seems the sorry bastard who had the truck before me cracked the frame and was to lazy to remove the steering box to repair the crack... the crack has been welded back succesfully but theres a new crack starting at the bottom of my frame.... so my question is has anyone used this ord frame brace and is it worth the money vs just simply welding the frame back and callin it a day?
i probably will invest in one but i just wanted some feedback from someone whos been in my shoes..keep in mnd its my daily driver and doesnt really see mud that often....but it does see it.
 
also i might add that im gonna buy a 77 chevy and pull the motor cause mine has seen much better days so will a bone stock 350 have trouble pushing all that gear and tire combo?
 
The brace from ORD is pretty good but really intended to prevent the crack to begin with. There is also a steering box brace that you can get to help strengthen the area.

I have repaired an 84 by sectioning in 3' of a new frame rail plating both sides of the junction, and then adding the ORD plate and steering brace.

I would not recomend simply welding up the crack and calling it good. It will crack again.
 
76gmc said:
doin that on sunday, right now im cruisin with out the front drive shaft and the hubs unlocked....lol
Click to expand...
Unless you have a part time kit in the case you need to get the shaft back in before it messes up the 203.I broke the box off mine at Harlan in the lower rock garden.The frame was undamaged prior to that(I checked it really good) and I was usin a brace.I have since went to a patch kit and hydro assist steering.The assist seems to have helped more than anything.Get you a Xj steering shaft and replace the wore our rag joint style shaft and it will help tighten up the steering as well.
 
yea it has the [art time kit in it and im deffinitly going to buy that weld on thing to go over the frame where the steering box mounts but like i said im going to do it but i just wanted to find some reviews on the product from people that i know would have used it to the max....know wat i mean?
 
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