2000 Ranger Broken Frame
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2000 Ranger Broken Frame
My 2000 Ranger has only 76K original miles, yes, it spent way too much time sitting. And as a result, the frame has undergone some pretty serious rot. In fact, about a year ago I needed my spare tire, and when I slid under the truck to figure out how to get at it, the whole spare assembly (tire, holder, cable, etc) was GONE....just a ragged gaping hole left behind.
Anyway, she was in for inspection today, and he told me the frame is broken. Right behind the cab. I noticed the last couple of times I rode her, she felt very strange, I can't explain it, but very unusual. With all the frost heaves up here, I put it down to the awful road.
Would anyone recommend trying to fix the frame via welding? I realize without pictures it may be hard to determine, but she does have a fair amount of rust (maybe it's just surface, but I think it's a little deeper).
Too bad, the engine purrs like a baby, just put new steelie rims and tires on her about six months ago.
Anyway, she was in for inspection today, and he told me the frame is broken. Right behind the cab. I noticed the last couple of times I rode her, she felt very strange, I can't explain it, but very unusual. With all the frost heaves up here, I put it down to the awful road.
Would anyone recommend trying to fix the frame via welding? I realize without pictures it may be hard to determine, but she does have a fair amount of rust (maybe it's just surface, but I think it's a little deeper).
Too bad, the engine purrs like a baby, just put new steelie rims and tires on her about six months ago.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
Personal opinion. Unless you are a professional at welding, or have a lot of experience as an amateur, I would not trust a welded frame.
You don't state location, but I assume up north with salt on the road, frost heaves, and generally corrosive conditions.
If you can find a frame that is not rusted badly, you can do a swap. It will take some time if you have to go to a completely bare frame, but is really just bolting things together. The cab will be the most difficult thing to move, but there are not a lot of fasteners. The bed is pretty easy, just cumbersome. Drivetrain is just like pulling an engine & transmission.
I'd never seen it before, but a body shop did a transplant of a brand new frame on a Che*y 4WD pickup that had slid into just the wrong thing, bending the frame where it could not be repaired. Got this brand new hunk of black painted metal, and the guys moved everything from one to the other. It drove out of the shop just like brand new.
tom
You don't state location, but I assume up north with salt on the road, frost heaves, and generally corrosive conditions.
If you can find a frame that is not rusted badly, you can do a swap. It will take some time if you have to go to a completely bare frame, but is really just bolting things together. The cab will be the most difficult thing to move, but there are not a lot of fasteners. The bed is pretty easy, just cumbersome. Drivetrain is just like pulling an engine & transmission.
I'd never seen it before, but a body shop did a transplant of a brand new frame on a Che*y 4WD pickup that had slid into just the wrong thing, bending the frame where it could not be repaired. Got this brand new hunk of black painted metal, and the guys moved everything from one to the other. It drove out of the shop just like brand new.
tom
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
It's really not a question about your welding skills, it's just that with that much rust there won't be any good metal to weld to. Usually when a frame breaks the rest of the frame isn't very solid anymore. Good luck. Keep us posted on your endeavor.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
Agreed with above. A frame is such an important part that takes so much abuse. Its one of those almost impossible acts to try to repair one. Much safer to find a donor frame. Its a lot of work, but once the back is broken, it will never be right. Remember, the frame has to be aligned right to make the vehicle go down the road straight and for the suspension to work. Sagged, bent, broken very very hard to get it back right without the expensive equipment.
Know it might not be what you want to hear. But its really the truth.
Know it might not be what you want to hear. But its really the truth.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you for your replies. It's a little worse than I thought, I have attached some pictures. Probably, they will be mostly for your amusement....
The album is here: Truck - Imgur
First two pics are breaks I have seen (it's cold and snowy up here in NH, so I haven't gotten on the ground yet to take really good pictures).
Pics 3 and 4 are how bad the shocks are, in pic 4, the shock is disconnected from the underside of the truck and leaning on the axle.
Pic 5 shows where the spare tire used to be. If I look closely at the frame on the far side, where there are 2 bolts, it looks like a hole in that part of the frame.
Well, I can't complain (too loudly). 13 years in New England weather, I guess I did OK.
The album is here: Truck - Imgur
First two pics are breaks I have seen (it's cold and snowy up here in NH, so I haven't gotten on the ground yet to take really good pictures).
Pics 3 and 4 are how bad the shocks are, in pic 4, the shock is disconnected from the underside of the truck and leaning on the axle.
Pic 5 shows where the spare tire used to be. If I look closely at the frame on the far side, where there are 2 bolts, it looks like a hole in that part of the frame.
Well, I can't complain (too loudly). 13 years in New England weather, I guess I did OK.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Thank you for your replies. It's a little worse than I thought, I have attached some pictures. Probably, they will be mostly for your amusement....
The album is here: Truck - Imgur
First two pics are breaks I have seen (it's cold and snowy up here in NH, so I haven't gotten on the ground yet to take really good pictures).
Pics 3 and 4 are how bad the shocks are, in pic 4, the shock is disconnected from the underside of the truck and leaning on the axle.
Pic 5 shows where the spare tire used to be. If I look closely at the frame on the far side, where there are 2 bolts, it looks like a hole in that part of the frame.
Well, I can't complain (too loudly). 13 years in New England weather, I guess I did OK.
The album is here: Truck - Imgur
First two pics are breaks I have seen (it's cold and snowy up here in NH, so I haven't gotten on the ground yet to take really good pictures).
Pics 3 and 4 are how bad the shocks are, in pic 4, the shock is disconnected from the underside of the truck and leaning on the axle.
Pic 5 shows where the spare tire used to be. If I look closely at the frame on the far side, where there are 2 bolts, it looks like a hole in that part of the frame.
Well, I can't complain (too loudly). 13 years in New England weather, I guess I did OK.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
what he said.....um wow!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for replying. Most everyone I spoke to said the same thing "don't take a risk and try to fix it". I wound up selling it to a guy that will strip out the engine and anything else that is usable, though he thought he might take one attempt at fixing the frame. I wish him good luck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hbkirishwarrior
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Sep 9, 2011 12:13 AM
smashclash
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jun 7, 2010 02:12 AM