Question on rust repair
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Easton USA
Question on rust repair
hey all. i'm looking at an 86 f150 that has been restored - rust had rotted through the cab floor and also through the bottom of the doors - it looks great now (done with almost all metal, only some bondo to smooth it out) but there's something about knowing the extent of the rust damage that worries me. any thoughts/warnings/etc?
truck's got 115k miles, v8, 4x4, standard, xlt and he's asking ~$3500
never had an older truck before so any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
thanks in advance!
truck's got 115k miles, v8, 4x4, standard, xlt and he's asking ~$3500
never had an older truck before so any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Question on rust repair
Look the frame over good. Especially at the crossmembers about mid-way of the bed. Ask if it has a new gas tank. They all seem to rust out on top where they are against one of the crossmembers. If you want to test it, fill the tank to the top.
Look at the rear tailgate area. Make sure the area under the taillights is solid and connected well to the crossmember going across the back of the bed. If this is getting weak, you will notice the bed sag a little when the tailgate is opened.
Also look at the condition of the rear brake lines. He has probably replaced them at least once. They rust out frequently on a truck that is run in the winter on salted roads. Check the emergency brake. If it won't hold, the rear cables are probably rusted tight(but this is easily replaced, as is the gas tank and the brake lines).
Look at the rear tailgate area. Make sure the area under the taillights is solid and connected well to the crossmember going across the back of the bed. If this is getting weak, you will notice the bed sag a little when the tailgate is opened.
Also look at the condition of the rear brake lines. He has probably replaced them at least once. They rust out frequently on a truck that is run in the winter on salted roads. Check the emergency brake. If it won't hold, the rear cables are probably rusted tight(but this is easily replaced, as is the gas tank and the brake lines).
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Question on rust repair
Buy it!! If that V8 you speak of, is a 351 you are looking at the deal of a lifetime. Even if it is not, it is still a good price.
Body work is easy. A little bit of time, and not to much money and you can fix any of those problems if they come back to haunt you. As long as the frame is in good shape.
However, I own a '84 F150 and it only has a 5 digit odometer. Get a CARFAX report to check the milage. Make sure 115K miles is not really 215K. I know it was with mine.
-Brian
Body work is easy. A little bit of time, and not to much money and you can fix any of those problems if they come back to haunt you. As long as the frame is in good shape.
However, I own a '84 F150 and it only has a 5 digit odometer. Get a CARFAX report to check the milage. Make sure 115K miles is not really 215K. I know it was with mine.
-Brian
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
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From: Virginia
Question on rust repair
He's right about the body work. They make replacement doors, front fenders and skin patches for the bed. But one of these companies had better step up and start making whole new beds, or more than just skin patches for the outside of the bed. They are getting hard to find in good shape. My bed was rusted bad at the rear. The floor was good, and the outer skin patches could have been installed to fix it cosmetically, but there was nothing left below the taillights. The tailgate would not stay shut, and the bed rail had to be pushed inward for it to even go closed. It had serious structural problems in the back, and I don't think it could have been, or would have been worth fixing. I got another used bed.
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