Rust help
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Rust help
Hi new to this forum thing but a friend told me you guys possibly could help with my question . I have a 1974 Ford F100 that I picked up to pull the engine
out of for another project but after some time driving it think I would rather have a truck and would like to keep it. The problem that I have is the body is in bad shape (the truck lived on the coast in northern California for 5 years
before I dragged her home). I do well mechanically but lack the skills to do cosmetic
work and could use some advice. Mostly I worry about the condition of the frame. Some people tell me it is just surface rust others have told me my frame is rusted and I need to replace it. I have pictures and am hoping I can get feedback on the condition of the frame. If it is too far-gone is it possible to swap the cab to a newer generation F150? Thanks for your time
out of for another project but after some time driving it think I would rather have a truck and would like to keep it. The problem that I have is the body is in bad shape (the truck lived on the coast in northern California for 5 years
before I dragged her home). I do well mechanically but lack the skills to do cosmetic
work and could use some advice. Mostly I worry about the condition of the frame. Some people tell me it is just surface rust others have told me my frame is rusted and I need to replace it. I have pictures and am hoping I can get feedback on the condition of the frame. If it is too far-gone is it possible to swap the cab to a newer generation F150? Thanks for your time
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
I would go over the frame with a hammer and look for soft spots to start. To me I think there's plenty there to work with its mostly surface rust from what you've shown. I like to clean with a wire wheel and brush POR15 on followed by a coat of black of your choice.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
The frame is like 3/16ths thick so unless there are holes, big flakes (defoliation). or deep divots to me it's good to go. Lots of that is spot and surface rust. EZ. Hit it with a grinder, flap and wire wheels, and coat it with POR-15 - using the appropriate top coats of course.
Welcome to FTE.
Welcome to FTE.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
Agree the frame doesn't look bad. Clean/treat/paint should do it based on the pics. There are lots of ways to do this. I used a needle peen tool on mine where I could and chisel and wire brush where I couldn't. The needle peen tool runs on compressed air and uses a bunch of hard steel needles to knock the rust off. Not too expensive at HF. It needs a moderate compressor (3-5 true HP, 220 V) to run well. Then I used red Rustoleum primer and Rustoleum SG black. Mostly brushed. I have also had good results with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator primer on other projects.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
Likes: 5,757
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Ck the front cab corners they are the hardest to replace. They look good in your pics but really get in there before you work the frame over.
If they are bad the rest doesn't matter, it does not look that bad to me.
If they are bad the rest doesn't matter, it does not look that bad to me.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
To me the frame doesn't look bad at all. Heavy surface rust and that's about it.
Mine had a lot of surface rust and scale when I started my resto.
I was planning on pulling the cab and bed anyway so I bought a sandblaster from Harbor Freight and went at it in my front yard. Once it was blasted I sprayed two coats of Rustoleum red primer followed by two coats of Valspar semi-gloss black.
Mine had a lot of surface rust and scale when I started my resto.
I was planning on pulling the cab and bed anyway so I bought a sandblaster from Harbor Freight and went at it in my front yard. Once it was blasted I sprayed two coats of Rustoleum red primer followed by two coats of Valspar semi-gloss black.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
Yea, that frame doesn't LOOK bad. I would suggest going over it with a wire wheel/sand blast/whatever you want to do to get down to the metal and coat it appropriately.
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
You know what I see....mikeo0o0o0 has a sand blaster, a cherry picker, sand blasting cabinet, enough driveway space, a bearing press and plenty of open jack stands since his frame has running gear......lol
Also some roller dollies and no neighbors across the street, so work into the night, but his side neighbors might complain a bit. lol
Also some roller dollies and no neighbors across the street, so work into the night, but his side neighbors might complain a bit. lol
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
You know what I see....mikeo0o0o0 has a sand blaster, a cherry picker, sand blasting cabinet, enough driveway space, a bearing press and plenty of open jack stands since his frame has running gear......lol
Also some roller dollies and no neighbors across the street, so work into the night, but his side neighbors might complain a bit. lol
Also some roller dollies and no neighbors across the street, so work into the night, but his side neighbors might complain a bit. lol
............
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I'm kinda lookin' for a 2WD shortbed but around here dentsides are getting rarer than hens teeth. The ones that you do see are generally pretty trashed.I might have to wait till I make another trip out west and see if I can pick one up in AZ or SoCal.......hijack over.
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