I was tired of looking at the frame on my '03 (built in 9/02 though) 2500HD rusting away, so after some research and recommendations from friends with older trucks, I decided to spend a couple days restoring the truck's frame. It's been a plow truck since day 1, and spent 5 winters in Rochester, NY, so it was pretty nasty underneath. Last year I had all new brake lines (coated with teflon, SS lines- so they won't rot out again like the factory ones ), and fuel lines, some Timbrens, front end parts, and other little odds and ends, so the truck was mechanically in pretty good shape.
So- I spent about 8 hours scraping, wire wheeling, and cleaning the frame. I then applied 3 coats of POR-15, and topped with 2 coats of gloss black rustoleum.
I didn't get any before pics- but picture a pretty nasty frame- some scale, lots of surface rust, most of the undercoating flaked off, etc.
Here's the after pics- did this project a month ago- so far holding up nicely! Will see how it does after the winter!
When I did the frame off rebuild on my 85 Chevy K20 a while back, I coated the entire frame and housings with POR-15, so far so good.
Good to hear- a lot of people I talked to had a lot of good things to say about the product, so I'm hoping it holds up. If I can get another 10 years out of the truck I'll be a really happy camper!
I still gotta do my frame but found some great stuff to try out on the frame and also inside the frame. Here's the site www.eastwood.com. they got everything to restore and maintain your truck.
I still gotta do my frame but found some great stuff to try out on the frame and also inside the frame. Here's the site www.eastwood.com. they got everything to restore and maintain your truck.
whatever paint chevy uses on theyre truck chassis dosent hold up at all my 03 is ugly underneath. i sprayed por15 all over the bottom of my 91 it still looks great after 2 winters. did you remove the bed to paint it?
whatever paint chevy uses on theyre truck chassis dosent hold up at all my 03 is ugly underneath. i sprayed por15 all over the bottom of my 91 it still looks great after 2 winters. did you remove the bed to paint it?
Yeah it's like a waxy cr@ppy coating- starting to peel on my '06- that truck's frame is CLEAN so I'll probably do the same thing to it in the next year or so to keep it in pristine shape Nope didn't pull the bed- top of the frame rails were easily accessed due to the 2" factory body lift, so I saw no real need to go through the hassle of pulling the bed.
That looks wicked good. I'm planning on painting my 2002 1500's frame soon.
Thanks- I was really happy with how it came out! Definitely takes some time (a few days) to do it right, but definitely worth it if you plan to preserve the truck for some years to come...
Yeah it's like a waxy cr@ppy coating- starting to peel on my '06- that truck's frame is CLEAN so I'll probably do the same thing to it in the next year or so to keep it in pristine shape Nope didn't pull the bed- top of the frame rails were easily accessed due to the 2" factory body lift, so I saw no real need to go through the hassle of pulling the bed.
i dont see a body lift and i dont think there is such a thing as a factory body lift
Matt it appears there's a patch job around the crossmember in your first pic. Was it there when you purchase it?
It was, yes. What would be the benefit of adding a reinforcement to that area? As far as I can tell, the frame was never cracked in that area (no welds visible)- I never noticed that in the 5 years I've had the truck- no patch on the drivers' side of the frame rail.
Can't say really, that's why it sparked my interest. It's not in a location where you'd attach anything (in bed hitch for example) and it's odd to be reinforcing the end of the tubular cross member. Perhaps take a look on the inside to see if there appears to be some type of previous witness marks from cross member damage or even severe rust. If that is the case it was that severe you should easily be able to see something.
Can't say really, that's why it sparked my interest. It's not in a location where you'd attach anything (in bed hitch for example) and it's odd to be reinforcing the end of the tubular cross member. Perhaps take a look on the inside to see if there appears to be some type of previous witness marks from cross member damage or even severe rust. If that is the case it was that severe you should easily be able to see something.
It's definitely odd- nothing looks any different than factory from the inside- no obvious mods- just that plate welded on the outside..... strange!
Came out good. I really want to do that to mine soon. All of my frame undercoat is peeling off but I was thinkin of trying this stuff looks like it will work good. http://www.rhomar.com/products/armour-seal/
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2002 chevy 2500hd duramax ext cab
Banks ram air intake
Banks wastegate
PPE boast valve
Air dog 150
5 inch straight pipe
EFI live
Cat Lights
Custom 44" Whelen Patriot Lightbar
8FT Fisher SS Xblade
That plate is factory. My 03 2500hd has it on the passenger side only. So do both of our 2500hds at work. All 3trucks are reg cab 4x4s. Mine is a 03 dmax ally, the work trucks are 04 and 05 6.0 gassers. I am the original owner of my truck, as is my employer of our work trucks.
That plate is factory. My 03 2500hd has it on the passenger side only. So do both of our 2500hds at work. All 3trucks are reg cab 4x4s. Mine is a 03 dmax ally, the work trucks are 04 and 05 6.0 gassers. I am the original owner of my truck, as is my employer of our work trucks.
Interesting- I was thinking it looked really well done for an aftermarket add-on! This truck is just that, an '03 RC/LB 4x4... wonder why it needs reinforcement there?
I dont know the true reason why the plate is there. IMO though, it probably has more to do with the production process of building the frame than it does reinforcement. I am thinking that the plate is welded to the tube first, then the plate/tube are slipped through the frame and welded to the rail. could be to insure that the tube is clocked correctly, and or not installed to far to the drivers side, since the tube in question acts as the upper fuelbtank saddle. The fuel tank is realy close to the frame, and there isnt much room for error in location of the mount to the left. Again, this is not fact, just my theory.
), and fuel lines, some Timbrens, front end parts, and other little odds and ends, so the truck was mechanically in pretty good shape.
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