Broke the Budbuilt

[AxleIke]

After two faithful years of service my bud built xcase skid finally gave up the ghost. I've gotta say, i'm impressed with the beating this thing has taken. Highly recomeneded product.

The pics are hard to see, but basically the plate folded just behind the xmember, and is now pinned against the case. This means that anytime the drivetrain is under load, it makes a horrific noise and the whole truck vibrates. Yeah. Sucky.

Not sure what i'm going to do now. Been thinking of lifting the guts, but that is a lot of work that i don't want to do right now. Perhaps the timetable has moved up eh?

 

[beatdown83fj60]

Atleast you won't have to order a new one for drivetrain lift . I've heard of a few budbuilts doing that. I used to have one and plan on ordering another one but when I do Im going to gusset it at the bends and reinfoce the stock mounts. Good work.

 

[Beater]

remove it, and bring it over. we can straighten it, the run some hardfacing rod like a bull dozer blade has.

 

[AxleIke]

may take you up on that.

 

[Red_Chili]

I managed to bend my Front Range Offroad crossmember after a few years. Brian replaced it gratis. I paid shipping. Can't beat that.

I *did* weld some 3.8 to span the point where he had had to cut it out for the stock e-brake though. Since I don't have a stock ebrake, why not?

I also lined my skid plate (that is the skid plate shown, ain't it?) with neoprene. Of course my skid plate only vaguely resembles its original shape.

 

[AxleIke]

remove it, and bring it over. we can straighten it, the run some hardfacing rod like a bull dozer blade has.

Do you have a press?

Put the entire weight of the truck on it, as well as a 4lb sledge. Bent back under the weight of the truck, then came back to its bent form after weight was removed.

More serious tools are needed.

 

[Beater]

I have a press, and lots of heat.

The trick is to heat it, bend it to form, then gradually cool.

 

[nakman]

If it were mine I'd take it off, rattle can it, then shim it down with washers. But I don't have that fancy press/heat stuff...

 

[AxleIke]

Hmm...Well, i'm no expert, but was told elsewhere specifically NOT to heat it, as it would weaken it more. Metulurgy seems to be magic. If we cool it slowly, it retains its strength?

 

[Hulk]

Green Machine won't steer you wrong. Metal is his clay.

 

[Red_Chili]

Looks like it could use a bit of bracing on the sides to triangulate and prevent future bending. Agreed, GM won't steer you wrong. Metal is metal. The boy knows metal.

 

[AxleIke]

Sweet. Thanks GM, i'll be in touch about getting this pile done!

 

[Beater]

heat treating is not majic, but it is in the cooling. google it, there is plenty of information out there. buy some "hard-facing" rod before you come over, small pack, 1/8th or bigger.

and schedule with me 3-4 days in advance. evenings are ok too.

 

[AxleIke]

Fixed.

Cut it with a torch from both ends until only about 2 in remained in the middle. Heated, bent, rewelded.

Reinforced.