Why build your own framerails, rather than go with the built-to-order frames that are available? Also, why go with the thinner framerails and reinforce them, rather than using thick ones to start with?
Designing the overall look of a frame I feel is an art form. We could've used big, thick, boxy material to create the frame, but just like the profile of the body, the frame needs to have the same beauty. I can create thicker frame- rails with reinforcement where stress is high, and thinner rails where major strength is not needed. By doing this it creates a fluid profile.
What would you call the "union" of the center frame structure with the back-half, a fish-mouth style or what?
You can call it a fish-mouth style, or you can just call it the best way I think it should be done.
With the cutouts in the rear of the frame, was that done simply to showcase the reinforcement?
The rear cutouts in the frame were not necessarily done for structure, but more to take away from the actual size of that particular area.
How many hours, from start to finish were involved in designing and welding the framerails?
Man-hours involved in designing the frame: 70 hours.
Man-hours involved in building the frame: 400 hours.
For the tranny crossmember, why bolt it on rather than weld it in place?
The tranny crossmember bolts in so that the cab does not have to be removed if the tranny ever needs to be serviced.
Up front, why use the round ends for the control arms?
I used Uniballs on the front control arms for their pure strength and high angle tolerance.