Hi guys I currently have a 1986 ford f-150 that is in the process of restoration. The 302 is being rebuilt, the transmission has already been rebuilt, the new cab from rust free truck parts is being painted this week. I have a nice bed that just needs new side panels and some paint. I have ONE Major hold up as of right now, that is should I use my current frame, or use the parts frame I acquired from a friend. Let me explain about the issue I am having. First, the frame I have now has been trough 4 years of me pounding on it, recently I had 2 cracks welded but there is still one that needs to be fixed. Second, for some reason the front two shocks have always rubbed on the coil spring??? Thirdly the driver side front tire always appeared very close to the back side of the front fender, (bent)?? OK now the parts frame is off a 1990 f-150 it has the quad shock setup but would need all the drop brackets and lift switch over (no biggie). My only concern is when I got the parts frame below the pass side drop bracket the frame was pushed in about 2 inches. (Front tire impact?)My friend had a special jack that pushed the frame from the other side the correct measurements from my good 86 frame.

SO WHAT FRAME DO I USE!!! I HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATING THIS FOR MONTHS BUT NOW THINGS ARE ALMOST READY FOR INSTALLATION…. I HAVE TO MAKE UP MY MIND!!! I got some pictures for you guys to look at I really need everyone’s help here so please any ideas PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! THANKS!!
<O></O>
<O> Parts frame 1990 f-150 60,000 no pitting or rust </O




here is my current frame


This is my current frame with the front shocks hitting spring


Here is my current frame with cracks repaired Top frame rail and power steering gear box plate


here is crack that needs fixing yet


here is my truck with the 6 inch lift NOTE the front tire with 6" lift and ONLY 32's doesent that seem really tight at the front tire to fender??? I want 35s on this thing when its all done....

 

It looks like your radius arm drop brackets aren't installed properly, the frame is bent around them or your radius arms are bent, hence the shock hitting the spring and your wheels sitting farther back in the wheelwell than they should be.
As to which frame to use, I'd use the one that has less damage, and beef the heck out of it where yours broke.

 

Keep in mind that your 80/86 bumper is not going to fit the 90 frame. Not without some work any way.

If it were me I'd get another good 80/86 frame. Those 6" drop brackets wreak havoc on the frame btw.

 

His bumper will bolt onto the 90 frame, the front of the frame is exactly the same, it's the 92+ frames that are different.

 

That thing looks all out of wack. It looks like the top front of the door is hitting the front fender? And the gap between the bed and the cab doesn't look straight either.

 

Are you sure about that? IIRC 87/91 frame horns are not exactly the same.

Sky Manufacturing even says that additional frame modification (welding) is required for their front shackle reversal kit......

 

Yes, the fender and door was really off, this was due to the front driver side cab mount being completely rusted off. So the whole cab was sagging, i hope that would be the cause of my bed/cab being off. OH and i looked at my radius arms and they are completely mangled, now i know where the shock was absorbed other than the power steering area the radius arms when I hit stumps….. I guess im leaning toward new radius arms possible bds extended arms $$$$$$$$ or new ford factory arms $$$.... As for the bumper I know the bumpers are different from my 91 f series to my 86, but the frame looks identical…

 

Yep, they're the same.
87-91 frame with bumper bracket still there

Inside:


It might not be 100% identical, but, it's close enough that all manufacturers of snow plow brackets, quite a few which use the 80-86 bumper mounting holes, use the same mount for 80-91 trucks.
I'm kind of surprised, with all of these trucks I've had apart, I don't have a decent picture of an 80-86 with the bumper off that shows the frame horns.