Broken Frame

[SoK66]

We have five Gladiators in tour service, two in Moab. One of the Moab rigs has a broken frame on both side in a weird spot, right in the center of the upper bump stop cup bracket. You can see the bend by the gap between the bed and the body in the first pic. Second pic shows the crack on the inside of the passenger side of the frame, the cracks are same both sides, but worse on the passenger side outside of the frame.

Obviously the driver/guide hit a ledge or something too hard, bottomed it out with a load of guests in the back. Local shops say most likely we'll have to replace the entire frame. Has anyione else had this happen or heard of this? New one on me.

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[Vtur]

Probably hitting the bump stop too hard with heavy weight/guests behind the rear axle. Rear frame is bent downward.

Notice how the Gladiator rear axle placement is more toward the front of the bed vs other trucks. It's the same reason how we can fits 37" tire underneath.

Maybe politely ask the heavier guests to sit toward the front and have lighter guests in the back.

 

[arosen1997]

IMHO if it's going to be used for offroad tours it's entire life, I'd find a certified welder to just execute a repair on the frame. My buddy is a Dot inspector and there are welder certified to fix frames with damage like that.

 

[SoK66]

IMHO if it's going to be used for offroad tours it's entire life, I'd find a certified welder to just execute a repair on the frame. My buddy is a Dot inspector and there are welder certified to fix frames with damage like that.

I agree that would be preferable to a frame replacement. Is your frind in the SW Colorado or Moab area?

 

[ScottBeach]

How many.people are you putting in the back? What does that seat frame weight? Likely well.over gvrw

 

[SoK66]

How many.people are you putting in the back? What does that seat frame weight? Likely well.over gvrw

We're under GVW with a full load (8 passemgers). It's on the Mopar 2" lift/Fox shocks.

 

[arosen1997]

I agree that would be preferable to a frame replacement. Is your frind in the SW Colorado or Moab area?

No we're not local to that area.
Just from a quick search I don't see anything in Moab, but over in Grand Junction there's a shop called Clemmer Welding, their website lists truck and trailer repair as a service. It may be worth reaching out to them seeing if they'd do a frame repair.

 

[Crane]

We're under GVW with a full load (8 passemgers). It's on the Mopar 2" lift/Fox shocks.

That frame and seat combo has to be worth a couple hundred pounds... And you're still under 1760lbs with 8 passengers? And a driver? Plus recovery gear??? Are you traveling the Mines of Moria with halflings????

I'm just trolling. Looks like a cool setup and operation you have. I'm no expert but 3 fingers of bourbon tells me I agree with @arosen1997... weld that bad bear up and get people back in the rocks hahaha.

 

[SoK66]

No we're not local to that area.
Just from a quick search I don't see anything in Moab, but over in Grand Junction there's a shop called Clemmer Welding, their website lists truck and trailer repair as a service. It may be worth reaching out to them seeing if they'd do a frame repair.

I found an outfit in Farmington, NM that does frame repair, meeting with them Monday. I may have all of them reinforced in a couple places.

 

[SoK66]

That frame and seat combo has to be worth a couple hundred pounds... And you're still under 1760lbs with 8 passengers? And a driver? Plus recovery gear??? Are you traveling the Mines of Moria with halflings????

I'm just trolling. Looks like a cool setup and operation you have. I'm no expert but 3 fingers of bourbon tells me I agree with @arosen1997... weld that bad bear up and get people back in the rocks hahaha.

If you look at the setup most passenger & seating cage weight is behind the axle. It obviously took a hard hit. Looks the leverage just bent the frame over the bump stop.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I found an outfit in Farmington, NM that does frame repair, meeting with them Monday. I may have all of them reinforced in a couple places.

Dig around on here or YouTube. This isn't the first report of frames cracking there. I believe there is a company or two making frame reinforcement pieces for that.

 

[SoK66]

Thanks, I’ll look for them!

 

[CrazyCooter]

Here ya go...... https://shiftautoandoffroad.com/products/shift-reinforcement-bridge

 

[Mark Beals]

Have you tried Colorado Frame & Collision out of Denver?
I would have the frame repaired and discuss if they can reinforce it further.

 

[SoK66]

Here ya go...... https://shiftautoandoffroad.com/products/shift-reinforcement-bridge

Thanks so much!

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