Hit giant rock, bent frame crossmember supporting steering rack. Best ideas how to fix?

Hey guys, had an unfortunate incident off-roading the other day. Bottomed my suspension out while simultaneously hitting a rock sticking straight up. I hit the passenger side of the crossmember that supports my steering rack, also destroyed my skid plate. Completely threw my alignment out and squeezed all my bushings. It is significantly bent. I got an alignment done after the fact, which made the truck driveable, but if I leave it bent like that it will just cause everything to wear super fast, tires to wear unevenly, and I will never be able to get a good alignment done. Obviously this is part of the frame and welded on. What is the best approach to fixing this? I have plenty of experience welding so I would have no problem welding a new part on, but I don't think I can find a replacement part online. I am going to do a full front-end rebuild/service, so I want to address the problem while I do that. Should I just do my best to unbend it with a hammer? Maybe grind a good one off an old 1st gen frame and weld it onto mine? Or, worst case, I could fabricate a custom one and weld it onto my frame. That's my last resort. I have attached some pictures for you guys to see the damage. Let me know if anyone knows any resources I could use to get a new part, or any ideas on the best way to fix this.

 

I mean i think it'd be fine. If all your alignment specs are good looks like it missed any suspension mounts. Looks like it's time for a real skid plate.

 

you missed the part where he says:

"Completely threw my alignment out and squeezed all my bushings. It is significantly bent."

 

The alignment shop told me they could not get it perfect. The truck drives straight but experiences major speed wobbles hitting bumps in the road especially at speeds above 45mph. Higher the speed/bigger the bump, the gnarlier the wobbles. Not really a fast wobble, just big swaying back and forth until it returns to driving straight. Not sure if this is actually an alignment issue, maybe something to do with my wheels/tie rods/something else that was damaged during the incident. Actually if anyone has any ideas about this issue please chime in too.

 

Any pics of the alignment sheet? Maybe you have some loose steering causing a wobble. Getting your alignment knocked out isn't really the end of the world, happens to cars all the time on potholes. The LCA bushings do look shifted but I can't picture any other bushings being damaged. The rack bushing behind the damage is a big clamp but the damage seems to end before it made it to the other side of the cross member.

 

The next step is a frame shop.

They can straighten it or remove it and weld in a donor piece.

No matter what, it's gonna take some time and money.

 

Solution: SAS...done

 

As much room as your LCA has to shift back and forth I can not see how they could even get an alignment . If it was in spec it no longer is.

When a good shop does alignment every thing is inspected and checked .Wheels and tie rods are part of your alignment.

A frame shop is in your future this is going to get a tad expensive. Good time for a solid axle swap it might be cheaper.

 

I think your fine

to confirm or disprove
Go to each side of truck
Measure the gap between the dogleg of each fender and the tire
If the same…..your good
If massively different….you got an issue

if worse case scenario
A frame shop could fix some what perfect($$$) or rectify as best they can

This is the cheapest way…..
Frame shop (any bodyshop with frame machine)
Bolts down the truck to the F machine
Hooks up the hydraulic ram on the side that is pushed back(gap measurements I spoke of)….and pulls until gaps are somewhat the same(this is cheap way that would take few hours(more time to set up vehicle on frame machine than actual ‘frame pull’

again, if your fender to tire gaps the same your good

 

Like this:

 

Where are the pictures of the rock?

 

Ouchie, you hit that thing with some speed. If it were me I’d try a frame shop or find a metal fabricator who can cut and paste.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. ControlCar, I'll check the gap between fenders and tires tomorrow. Everyone saying to just do a SAS, I really don't have 6-10k to shell out to do it right lol, and I don't off-road enough to make it worth my while. I live in Hawaii, and I only off-road to spots to surf or fish, not as a hobby hahaha. Do you guys really think a SAS would be more cost effective over getting the frame bent back at a frame shop? I'm gonna get a quote next week and see just how expensive of a mistake I made... Based on your responses, if it's all too expensive for me I'm just going to cut it out and fabricate a new crossmember.

 

You can do welding then buy a section of a good frame + any necessary parts from the salvage yard and start from there might be your best bet.
Good luck man!

 

Like mit88 said
Could find the affected/dmgd Xmember from junkyard
But
To properly measure/weld Xmember
-have to go to frame/bodyshop
(Can’t weld a straight XM onto a crooked frame)
-engine/suspension/steering all must be removed for proper welding

basically you got 2 choices
Cheap(frame pull only) where works, maybe have to buy front tires more often
Or
Expensive….done right major labor major $$

lets everyone know how those gaps look