If you look back to my post in this thread with the photos, you'll see the danger of not using extended radius arms and wheeling the truck. It's not the length of the radius arms that caused the damage, but it was the way the stock ones have to be dropped in order to keep the correct geometry with a lift kit. There are very significant foreward and aft forces on the radius arm. Having them mounted on longer drop brackets greatly increases the stress on the frame at the RA mounting point. With the extended arms, the mounting point is moved back, and up tight to the frame with no drop. This allows a much stronger connection to the frame, with less stress on it.

 

Ah ok.
How did you notice the frame cracked? Any sign to indicate it, or did you just happen to notice it one day when taking a look in that area? Did you just have the crack welded up? Would really hate to take a gander under one day and see it cracked.

Looked around shortly and it looks like a set of extended arms runs about 500$... a bit out of my price range at the moment, especially if gas shoots to 4$ a gallon as some are saying. Hell, even with gas where it is, I can't afford to do much wheelin' anymore anyway.

 

I went into a local 4x4 suspension and gear shop to get a quote for a new lift, and the mechanic pointed it out, in addition to the crack in the frame at the steering box. Neither was too bad yet. He ended up welding the cracks and installed a frame brace at the steering box to help prevent future cracking.

I know what ya mean about the price of mods/wheeling. It's become pretty difficult for me to afford too