I'm looking at possibly buying a 1960 Ford F-100 shortbed fleetside that was recently in a wreck. The front bumper, grille, radiator, drivers front fender, hood all need work but my biggest concern is on the passenger side frame rail is bent up and towards the drivers side. The bend is about 18" from the end of the frame back. Is this something that a competent welder can repair or does it need to go to a body shop for frame repair?

Thanks

 

would it be better to wait for a better truck to come along? sounds like you may have a few panels that need helping...just asking

 

Unless it was perfect in every other aspect, I would not buy a Ford truck with a Chevy Fleetside box, straight frame or not!

If it is tweaked in that much in the front, it may well be bowed out behind the cross member as well. However, if the front axel is still fine, you might be able to heat the frame and pull or push it back to where it should be. You could always box the area that was bent to beef it up a little as well.

 

It depends on the price. If it's cheap enough, strip off the front and take it to a frame shop. A good frame man can make a basic evaluation with it right on the trailer. I fixed up a 72 once that was hit pretty good and it only took my buddy less than an hour to set up and get it right.
And in case you hadn't noticed, there are people here who never miss a chance to remind us that fleedside and stepside are GM terms. Or that every 390 is being sold by a lying skunk who knows its a 360.

 

^^^^ haha, I was waiting for it...

 

It runs good but he wants $2000 it may or may not have a salvage title. I'm checking on that now

 

I would seriously consider holding off...what part of the country are you in? any pics of truck?

 

I'm right down the road in Turlock, CA

 

Nice, land of cattle and Portuguese...I think you can get get a better deal on something that isn't wrecked around the valley. Have you looked into craigslist? A couple solid trucks or a grand or so more. I'm just trying to save you the hassle of getting parts and having frame straightened-I know there are a couple parts trucks in French Camp if you do stick with this truck.

 

I have a cherry '79 Bronco and a 5 year old son who is already wanting to "help" work on it so I was kind of on the look out for a project truck at a reasonable price. I've seen this truck around town for years and it was in excellent condition prior to the wreck

 

 

Nice, gotta check out that Bronco. I can really appreciate the build with the boy. Truck doesn't look that bad? But I really have no idea-prob be best to have a professional look at it as mentioned above...

 

I spoke with the owner and a insurance adjuster had already been out and he received a check from his insurance company to buy another vehicle. He hadn't received anything showing it has a salvage title but I can only assume it does

 

Ya, I would assume since it went through insurance-but that wouldn't really scare me off. Making sure frame can be straightened and getting parts would be my main concern...let me know which way you go and I will try to find info on those parts trucks, I could use a few things too. Maybe try to talk him down on price-I paid $4k for my truck a couple years ago and I think it was a fair price for this part of the country...just for reference

Joe

 

It doesn't look that bad but the price might be a little high.