Frame Reinforcement on an M998

[StackJ]

I'm keeping this vehicle and would like to find out your thoughts on the frame reinforcement. (I did a couple of searches and either the reinforcements were down a ways in long threads..)

I've seen the Predator and the "duck" reinforcements.

Today, I heard from someone who says that a SoCal race modifier puts in braces near where the rear suspension drops from the frame. I've also heard that the frame can break around the steering box (two vendors have these, no thanks, for $150, I can make one, take my wife out to dinner and buy a case of beer!)

So, have you reinforced your frame? Where? Have you broken your frame? Where?

 

[BLK HMMWV]

Another reason the board needs a new Modified or hot rodding HMMWV section like they have for the deuce .

 

[StackJ]

Saw this in the auction site: 2510-01-429-9907 PN 57K0296. Has anyone installed one of these? How hard?

 

[juanprado]

this thread on G503 has good info on that front frame kit:

https://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=131628

Looks like a lot of work!

 

[DCIV]

Cool thread, too bad that website in the thread is no longer available. Why would a 1 1/4 ton truck need frame reinforcement?

 

[StackJ]

So there are two different solutions solving different things (I saw the G503 thread late last night, thanks, it _is_ a lot of work.).

The steering plate and this on the right hand side. To me, both are subject to bolt shear strength unless welded. Of course, you also get to deal with shims on the driver's side. No my cup of tea.

I think I'm going to hold tight...

 

[Havok]

Another reason the board needs a new Modified or hot rodding HMMWV section like they have for the deuce .

Agreed!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Action]

The front frame kits mentioned in the G503 article are on epay for $75.

 

[ryanruck]

The front frame kits mentioned in the G503 article are on epay for $75.

I've seen those kits and I saw the install writeup on G503 when looking into them but not much on how necessary they are.

You think they're a good addition to a truck that actually gets wheeled off road? Or is it just overkill for an unarmored truck?

I'm like the OP and I'd prefer an ounce of prevention over a pound of cure but, since it's as involved as it is, I'd prefer it to be a back burner thing.

 

[StackJ]

Agree. Considering I have open projects that will take until I'm about 90, not likely.

 

[86humv]

I have a kit I'm not going to use.

 

[Augi]

I off-road my truck a lot. The reason for all of the various reinforcement kits developed for these trucks was because of the several tons of armor added. My empty 998 rag top weighs around 7k lbs according to the dump scale. Fully loaded for camping it might be 1k more. The uparmored trucks are pushing 16k and the frame and suspension just wasn't designed for it. They ended up making a lot of Band-Aids.

Upgrade the halfshafts to 10.3k ones, install problem solver ball joints and tie rod ends and call it a day. You'll still be replacing ball joints and tie rod ends every 15 or 20k miles, but it's not that hard to do.

Augi