Hi all,

I have an 86 f150 4x4 that has severe rust. i was wanting to know if anyone could help me out and give me some advice on what to do about it. i was lucky enough to get a hold on a guy at the ford body shop and he wants me to bring the truck for him to look at and see what can be done, get some estimates, ect. but i met up with him to day, as i am waiting on a part to be delivered so i cannot drive it at this time, and he looked at the pics i had taken on my cell and he said that the cab is unsafe and on my roof corners it is the worse he has ever seen. i am in the process of posting pics right now, so please take a look once they are up, i will have them in my album.

I also wanted to say that this truck is very special to me and holds alot of sentimental value, please be kind. I know this is a very large project for me, but i have to try.
thank you for reading

 

The link to your pics don't work.

 

i have them in my "garage" sorry im kinda new at this

 

I can only find one frontal pic, unless I'm looking in the wrong place. Which area of the cab was he saying is unsafe? If the cab mounts are rotted that will cause problems. And, are the roof corners rotted completely through?

Something tells me it may not be as bad as the guy made it sound.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=66726

 

Thanks. For some reason they weren't showing before.

Do you have any welding experience or buddies that weld?

 

i am trying to get the others on here, but no i dont weld. my boyfriend does and we have been talking about it. we have just never dont any body work before. were you able to see anymore pics or should i post them in the thread?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=66728

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=66727

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=66724

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=66705

 

I would think it would be easier to find a new cab than repair all the rust. But then you have all the hassles with titles.

 

i have explored that possibility, but i want to try and salvage the cab if possible. that and i have tried to locate a parts truck but they are so rare where i am at that it is impossible. the ones i do find are around 1500 and up. i just do not have the money, or the place to do a tear down. as far as the floor is concerned i can buy the replacement parts, but i do not know if there is even a way to get hold of a roof or how to repair it simply because the replacement pannels are not available.

 

You might give Dennis Carpenter a call

Dennis Carpenter Ford Car, F-100 Pickup Truck, 8N, 9N Tractor and Cushman Scooter Restoration Parts

 

you might be interested in this post. It will give you an idea as to how much work is involved in the repair/replacement of the roof. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...s-f-100-a.html
here is one to help you repair/replace the floor panels.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html

Hope they help you.

 

I also want to add that, even if you can't find an item in an online (or even printed) catalog,
call people/places anyway. Just because it's not in a catalog doesn't mean they don't have it
or can get it for you or can point you in the right direction.

Learned that when my father called NPD for some clutch parts for me.

 

I would look for a good cab for that one, I imagine the rear cab mounts are gone, from the roof leaking. There is so much going on with that cab, by the time you weld in bracing to keep it from spreading apart, when you cut out for the patches, you will never have room to go in there to weld. You will find that it will be much less costly in the long run.

Look in my signature, on how I replaced the floor and rocker panels on one of my trucks.

Yours will also need a set of cab corners, and that is just from the pictures. you need to look under the truck where the bolt comes down through the rubbers, and attaches the cab to the frame. There are 4 of these mounts. the rear mounts can be bought, as well as the front ones, but the cab has to come off the frame to make these repairs.

There are no panels available for the area under the seat, and none for the roof, at all.

If you remove the cab, you might as well change it to a better one. In md, when changing cabs, you go to the mva, with both tittles, and they will inspect the truck when it's finished, and issue a new vin.

If you elect not to go that route, I have seen the "special" pop rivits that hold the vin plate on, for sale, and if you are careful you can drill out the old ones, and put your vin plate on the new cab.

I understand the desire to save dad's truck, and by all means applaud you for that, But I think he wouldn't mind you changing the cab, after all, you will still have his truck, only restored.

All of this I have said, is only my .02, and please don't become disgurntaled with the truck, and not fix it. I'll guide you whatever way I can, just ask.

 

What part of Tx are you in? Im outside of Ft Hood and I got a straightcab longbox with no motor and just as much rust lol(as much rust as there is motor). Send me a pm if you want more info. Its got a clear title to the vin as well.