Suppose someone wanted to build a frame, could you just take measurements off the stock frame and take it to the welding shop and have them do it up? Then could you re-use existing body mounts etc and weld them to the new frame? Any one done this? Any good threads on doing this?
IMO, if you are going to have a shop build the frame, you may as well just buy an aftermarket frame and be happy. By the time you get all the brackets and mounts and everything on it, you would be money ahead.
Now if I were to build my own...
I'd start by mapping out everything I want to do to it (drivetrain to be installed, shackle reversal, wheelbase stretch, body lift, drivetrain lowering, ect..) and design them in from the start.
Then I'd grab a few sticks of 2x3x3/16" tube and get to cutting and fitting.
Set the compete drivetrain in place and work around that, reinforcing and gusseting as you go. Then start in on the axles and body. One thing at a time until its complete.
If you have a level area to build it and a welder, you can do the same thing the shop can...IIRC, Pirate had a thread a while ago with a couple high school guys that built a frame from scratch in thier garage.
