should i plate my chassis?

[rockcrawler31]

Hi all

when i mounted my sliders i opted for the drill through the chassis and fit crush tubes option rather than weld plates to the side of the chassis. I have two mounts on each side of the car, and each mount consists of four holes drilled through both sides of the chassis rail. The inner rail has 10mm holes and the outer holes i drilled to 19mm before welding crush tubes in place and grinding flat.

Unfortunately i noticed that when i ground them level there were some places where i didn't get good penetration, and you can see parts of the circular crack between the crush sleeve and the chassis rail. I bevelled the edges and used the highest setting on the mig, but no luck.

Basically what i'm asking is - should i weld a 5 or 6mm fish plate over the top of where the mounts go with appropriate holes for the bolts and then welded all the way round? or will the chassis still be strong enough as is?

This is the chassis from a 91 landcruiser 75 by the way.

[-Scott-]

In a box section like a chassis rail which is primarily carrying weight, the bulk of the strength is in the upper and lower horizontal surfaces. This is why horizontal beams in buildings are "I" shaped, with only one vertical - the bulk of the strength is in the top and bottom flats, not the vertical.

Fish plates wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't bother.

[rockcrawler31]

thanks mate.

any other opinions??

[stokedapollo]

fully agree with scott
but obviously your worried so just plate em if your worried
wont hurt either way

[q_ship]

can you get away with just bolting the plates above and below the chassis with crush tubes? therefore no welding to chassis

[rockcrawler31]

can you get away with just bolting the plates above and below the chassis with crush tubes? therefore no welding to chassis

tubes are already in. and want to limits stuff hanging below chassis rail to hang up on