I am not a welder. I do not know but the basics, I think. Feel free to laugh though.



The goal was about 2.5 inches back with some wiggle room. Thanks for spelling that out for me Atomic. This was welded with a craptastic 90 amp Harbor Freight $90 flux core welder.

I ebayed a $40 cross member and picked up some angle and flat iron. Cut the angle and flat iron, welded up the angle portion and then the flat iron to the top to level things out.

I've seen some damn nice and creative cross members. I simply don't trust my welds yet. I figured if the angle iron snapped off the original cross member would at least catch the trans!

Angle iron on. Beat with hammer. Did not fall off. Check!


Flat iron to level things out. I hate that gap. First pilot holes drilled. Did not fall apart. Check!


Filled in gap a bit quickly after going over some of the seams. Ground things a bit. Ugly still.


More holes.


Holes done. Lost of rust ground off. Sanding, CLR and degreasing later.


Paint covers complete lack of skill.

 

Only thing I'd add to that is a gusset between the holes, a lot of weight setting on that bracket. As far as your welding goes, turn the heat up and go alittle slower, for a beginner just make circles, just overlap half of your last puddle. Just keep practicing, you never know it might be something you can pick up and start making money.

 

Thats a really good idea to put a gusset in.

Thanks for the welding tip. I've got plenty of time before the trans is done. Should I grind off and re-weld stuff?

 

Ive seen way worse! I second the gusset idea, lot of weight riding there. The danger is in long term cyclic failure it will eventually crack.

 

Agree totally. Like said earlier run up the heat and go slower. Like drawing a stack of , (slightly smaller), dimes on edge. Lightly overbuilding the joint can give you more material to work with as you grind to clean up.

I'd definitely add the gussets too as has been previously suggested..

 

All the advice makes perfect sense. Heat up, slower wire speed, dimes on edge. I'll post pics with the gusset when its in place.

Y'all rock!

 

I did mine kind of similar but I ran 2 gussets on mine
not the worst I have seen

 

Not slower wire speed, move slower, give enough time for your puddle to fill and melt in.

I pay more attention to the puddle behind the arc rather that where my wire is going..
Like this pic here, I moved a little too fast going across that.

 

Ahhh ok.

I plan to add 2 gussets and will post pics of my welding progression. I appreciate the tips.

I swore I'd do everything myself on this truck since its a hobby! Off to look more at HPTuners for my waaay future turbo.

 

I took y'alls advice. I'm a computer geek. Hardware **** ain't my bag baby.

Poor man's gussets.


Ignore the surrounding crap. I was playing with settings. Better weld?


Being painted again.



Y'all think this is done? Anymore ideas?

BTW, thanks again. I appreciate the help here.