Topic: Welder question with IFS box mounting??

[wmflyfisher]

So I've been working on my hysteer over the weekend and I'm to the point of mounting the IFS box to the frame. I have the sleves and plate for the back to beef it up. I recently purchased a lincoln 135 which I plan on using to weld it up. The problem is that I'm not very familiar with welding! What heat range does the welder need to be on to make these welds? I heard some people say that the frame is pretty thin? Any help would be great!

[79coyotefrg]

go to a scrap yard and find some 1/8th inch plate and practice,   is this a mig or stick welder??

if stick  run some 6011 rods at around 70 amps to start

[wmflyfisher [OP]]

Its a mig. Yeah, I welded my spring mounts for my rear springs so I have a little expirience but not much

[79coyotefrg]

practice 

[Hottrod81]

Practice a lot, then burn it as hot as you can without putting holes throught the frame.

[old school toy]

Any picture out there.  Correct way to mount gearbox to the frame for High steer

[Weldo]

I have one of those machines, too.  I just welded up some holes in my dad's truck frame.  3/16 frame and patch, and I had my welder set on D-5.5.  My settings only have A, B, C, and D, some have A thru J, I think.  I was running .030 wire too, heat settings would be different for .025 if thats what you got (I'm talking solid wire, for use with sheilding gas).  I agree with everyone else, practice a lot, that's the key.  Also it helps to do a few setup welds.  When it comes to MIG you would rarely set the machine and go right to work on whatever you're welding.  It's always a good idea to make a few practice welds everytime to make sure it's running OK before you get started for real.  This also helps you catch anything you may have forgotten, like turning on the gas.  This way, if you did forget the gas or something, it'll screw up the setup weld, not the weld on your truck.

[wmflyfisher [OP]]

Nice thinking!

[Weldo]

Also, your welder should have setting guide lines inside of the lift up cover on the side.  Those recommended settings are usually pretty close.

[yotaboy79]

we have one of those little guys at work ours is always at the highest heat setting and about 5.5-7 on the wire speed you dont have to worry about burning holes in the frame with that thing just run it as hot as the welder will let you this is with both solid .030 wire and flux core .030 wire

[genericposter]

I just finished a complete rebuild of the suspension on my 84. I have a little Lincoln 100 and kept it set to D. Speeds ranged from 3 to 4.5 depending on what I was welding. Also I ran .035 self shielding wire. Everything burned in fine. Only had a little trouble with the frneched hangers, it was trying to eat the frame. Just had to do it a little at a time to keep the heat down.

[beater82]

How "little" is your experiance? Not trying to be all pompous with you , bra I'm just a little concerned with the rear spring hangers being one of the first and only things you have welded. Those fall into the category of  "life and death welds" in my book.  What I'm trying to say is if that spring hanger is held on with an insufficient weld(a bad weld could look like a clean, straight bead to some people) it could crack and break off when you're doin' 75mph on the freeway and cause some seriously depressing crap. If you have any friends with some knowledge and experiance  have them take a look at those welds.