80s Max 4 frame upgrades ??

[wildcard]

I am wondering about the frame on my max 4 , I have heard that they can be weak under the trans. does anyone have suggestions and pictures of frame stiffeners or upgrades ??

any help would be appreciated !!

[msafi65]

look in the manuals section below the wiring diagrams.http://www.6x6world.com/images/recre...-Frame-Kit.pdf the complete kit has to be welded in and makes the frame really solid. Align the side plates up with the top of frame as it is probably bent down some. I just finished one that was real bad ,broken in two places. I clean and repair all bolt holes in the T-20 and use it to hold everything place then tack weld pieces. to check your frame lay a straight edge on the very top lip to the rear and see if any areas are low. Adding this kit from RI brings the rear frame up to 2008 specs.

[wildcard]

look in the manuals section below the wiring diagrams.http://www.6x6world.com/images/recre...-Frame-Kit.pdf the complete kit has to be welded in and makes the frame really solid. Align the side plates up with the top of frame as it is probably bent down some. I just finished one that was real bad ,broken in two places. I clean and repair all bolt holes in the T-20 and use it to hold everything place then tack weld pieces. to check your frame lay a straight edge on the very top lip to the rear and see if any areas are low. Adding this kit from RI brings the rear frame up to 2008 specs.

Thank you !
I was wrestling to get the first axle out tonight, still stuck in the sprocket tube, the outer frame channel has rusted away in a couple of spots so I guess i'm going to have to figure out how to deal with that .any easy ways to get the axles out of the sprocket tubes ??

[msafi65]

If they are rusted tight heat may help but the body dosent like it much. Does the tube move at all? If it moves at all the bolt hole is probably swelled and sticking in the outer bearing.Next choice is pull outar bearing bolts, break outer race and cut inner race with cut off wheel VERY CAREFULLY just to axle material. If all else fails cut axle between outer bearing and tube,press axle out of tube. Penetrating oil such as areokroil or pbblaster can help some times you just cut. good luck

[wildcard]

well after soaking for 2 days in pb blaster, I finally got the axle out of the sprocket tube, still have the outer bearing on the shaft but if nothing else my 4.5 with a cutoff wheel will take care of that ! after getting prices on bearings, axles sprocket etc from R.I and R relics , I'm going to try and salvage as much as I can.Is it possible to have the trans bands relined ? dont know if that would be cost effective , just a thought. Btw, I havent opened the trans up yet , but there was NO atf in it so....NOT GOOD

[Mike]

For the transmission, you will have to remove the bottom plug and elevate the machine to see any fluid come out. It only holds 1 quart and when fluid runs out of that bottom plug, that's when you know it's full so there may be hope yet? As for the bands, you can get them relined. All four will cost you less than $150 total. Search the transmission forum if you choose to do that, there are a lot of threads on the topic and who to use.

[wildcard]

For the transmission, you will have to remove the bottom plug and elevate the machine to see any fluid come out. It only holds 1 quart and when fluid runs out of that bottom plug, that's when you know it's full so there may be hope yet? As for the bands, you can get them relined. All four will cost you less than $150 total. Search the transmission forum if you choose to do that, there are a lot of threads on the topic and who to use.

Thanks Mike , Ya I had the trans out both plugs out , and turned it so the check hole was on the bottom, not even a drop . Thanks for the reline info , I'll search for that $150 beat $400 from R.i anyday !