TR6 Accident damage or known problem area?

[nichola]

I finished stripping bare the TR6 frame yesterday and immediately noticed a problem at the right front corner. I am guessing this - the bent fulcrum pin and the torn away weld - is the result of an impact, unless this is a known weak spot and simply the result of age and hard driving. The body doesn’t look to have been crumpled at right front corner. Perhaps the right front wheel took a blow hard enough to do this. Any thoughts?

I would probably use some hydraulic assistance to tweak frame back into the ballpark. Right now that shock/spring tower is aiming a little low and inward as you look from front to rear.

I hope the images show up... don’t see them in the preview.

 

[charleyf]

I would start with a new fulcrum pin. See how it fits and proceed with your analysis.

 

[nichola]

I would start with a new fulcrum pin. See how it fits and proceed with your analysis.

You’re right, it definitely needs one of those, but the whole dang shock/spring tower is turned inward longitudinally (32 mm by the time the laser beam hits the trailing arm area) and the flat area that the top of the shock bolts to is tilting down a couple inches by the time the beam hits the garage door, compared to the driver side. The structure is also tilted in at the top three degrees - as in negative camber. It is as if that corner took a blow on a line from right front wheel hub towards the driver seat.

Have never had to tweak a frame, so I am flying blind but hoping a bottle jack pushing in the right place will do the trick. If not, maybe I need to look for a frame shop. Could find other issues with the frame too. The left rear and right front play teeter-totter across the other diagonal.

ps, that weld that broke loose didn’t look that sound to me, so I am wondering if other owners have seen anything similar.

 

[charleyf]

It sounds like you have some reasonable measurements of how far off it is.
I had to straighten the front shock tower on a TR 3 frame. I used a hydraulic kit borrowed from a friend. Plus a torch to heat up the metal where it was bent. I had to weld spots onto the frame to position the hydraulic unit to get the correct angle to push the tower. So it is doable at home with the right equipment. If you can find a frame shop to help, that is a good alternative.

 

[Rut]

I’ve been lucky with my TR4a and TR6 frames, but I bought a 1993 Jeep YJ Wrangler that had been rolled as a father/son project. I took it to the body shop and $50 later the frame was straight and true. I don’t know if that’s a similar cost in your area, but for my money it was worth it. If you’re going to blast and paint/powdercoat the frame it runs $300 down here plus any additional welding for bracing.
Rut

 

[nichola]

It sounds like you have some reasonable measurements of how far off it is.
I had to straighten the front shock tower on a TR 3 frame. I used a hydraulic kit borrowed from a friend. Plus a torch to heat up the metal where it was bent. I had to weld spots onto the frame to position the hydraulic unit to get the correct angle to push the tower. So it is doable at home with the right equipment. If you can find a frame shop to help, that is a good alternative.

Thank you for the encouragement. I am going to continue measuring to see if there are other problems; and I will talk to some shops that might be able to straighten things out if it’s beyond my capabilities.

 

[nichola]

I’ve been lucky with my TR4a and TR6 frames, but I bought a 1993 Jeep YJ Wrangler that had been rolled as a father/son project. I took it to the body shop and $50 later the frame was straight and true. I don’t know if that’s a similar cost in your area, but for my money it was worth it. If you’re going to blast and paint/powdercoat the frame it runs $300 down here plus any additional welding for bracing.
Rut

That powder coated frame looks awesome. I’m putting mine in a boxcar today and shipping it to you. I’ll have one just like yours. I’m thinking prices here in San Diego area are higher. I had my neighbor’s 1956 Chevrolet 3/4 ton flatbed (from Alabama where it had been in his family since 1960) sandblasted here bumper to bumper including body and frame... $1200. I felt it was worth it after watching the guy for a day and a half. Plus my grandkids had a nice sandy playground outside the barn when he was done. He would give me a good deal on the frame as I’ve sent business his way.

Finding a repair shop that would give back a nice straight frame for $50 seems like a mighty reach hereabouts, but I will check a few. Thank you for the advice and info. If you want to see that ‘Bama truck restoration, I built a website - barndogtrucks.com - that details the three trucks we’ve built. I haven’t posted anything to it in over a year, but the TR6 might make its way into the pages eventually. Been documenting everything with pictures.

Thanks again.

 

[Rut]

I love your part of California...I was based out of Carlsbad for several years and really enjoyed it.
Rut

 

[nichola]

I love your part of California...I was based out of Carlsbad for several years and really enjoyed it.
Rut

We like it here in NE part of San Diego county, and my kids and grandkids are nearby, so it’s all good.