Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 936

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BUMPERS AND FRAME 13 - 23
FRAME
INDEX
page page
Frame Dimensions 24 General Information 23
Frame Repairs 24 Safety Precautions and Warnings 23
Frame Straightening 24
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
WARNING: U S E E Y E P R O T E C T I O N WHEN GRIND­
ING OR WELDING METAL, S E R I O U S E Y E INJURY
CAN RESULT.
B E F O R E P R O C E E D I N G WITH F R A M E REPAIR IN­
VOLVING GRINDING OR WELDING, V E R I F Y THAT
V E H I C L E F U E L S Y S T E M IS NOT L E A K I N G OR IN
CONTACT WITH REPAIR A R E A , P E R S O N A L INJURY
CAN RESULT.
DO NOT A L L O W O P E N F L A M E TO CONTACT
P L A S T I C BODY P A N E L S . F I R E OR E X P L O S I O N CAN
RESULT.
WHEN W E L D E D F R A M E C O M P O N E N T S A R E R E ­
P L A C E D , 100% PENETRATION W E L D MUST B E
A C H I E V E D DURING INSTALLATION. IF NOT, DAN­
G E R O U S OPERATING CONDITIONS C A N RESULT.
STAND C L E A R O F C A B L E S OR CHAINS ON
PULLING EQUIPMENT DURING F R A M E STRAIGHT­
ENING OPERATIONS, P E R S O N A L INJURY CAN R E ­
SULT.
DO NOT V E N T U R E UNDER A HOISTED V E H I C L E
THAT IS NOT S U P P O R T E D ON S A F E T Y STANDS,
P E R S O N A L INJURY CAN RESULT.
CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality
of repair would be suspect.
Do not drill holes in top or bottom frame rail
flanges, frame rail failure can result.
Do Not use softer than Grade 3 bolts to replace
production fasteners, loosening or failure can re­
sult.
When using heat to straighten frame components
do not exceed 566°C (1050°F), metal fatigue can re­
sult.
Welding the joints around riveted c r o s s members
and frame side rails can weaken frame
GENERAL INFORMATION
BR trucks have a ladder-type frame (Fig. 1) with
Box-section front rails, dropped center section and
open-channel side rails i n the rear.
Cross members attached to the frame side rails
with rivets, welds or bolts form a ladder-type con­
struction (Fig. 1). The cab is isolated from the frame
Fig. 1 Frame
with rubber load cushions (Fig. 2) with through-bolts.
The cargo box or bed is attached to the frame with
bolts. Refer to Group 23, Body for cargo box service
procedures.
Fig. 2 Cab Mounts
The frame is designed to absorb and dissipate flex­
ing and twisting due to acceleration, braking, corner­
ing and road surface variances without bending when
subjected to normal driving conditions. The frame is
the mounting platform for the following systems and
components.
• Front and rear suspension systems.
• Engine, transmission, and transfer case.