A lot of members have older trucks. Mines a '97 F-250 7.3. Time to replace the rotted radiator support. The steel perches or whatever you call them are also rusted away on both sides of the frame. For those of you who have done this or had it done at a body shop were there any unpleasant surprises like breaking both headlight assemblies while dismantling the whole front or anything similar. What about all the fasteners,bolts etc. are replacements easy to find for a 17 yr.old Ford. I've been turned away at two shops so far. Is this a nightmare task?Any idea what a reasonable estimate might be to have this done at a reputable body shop. Is there a point where I should face reality and "put her down" or is everything fixable. It's just that I'm 64, retired and would like to squeeze a little more out of it. Besides it's only got 175,000 mi. on it. Damn road salt.
Rust never sleeps!

 

If your near Leominster Look up Michal's auto recycles. Hes reasonable His shop is my ford graveyard... Not a huge job overall but can be a nightmare with rot.

 

Just had this done on my Dad's 93 F350. I don't remember the exact numbers but a new rad support alone was around $400-$450, but that was a 5.8L. I think the diesel support was over $600. Plus it needed new bushings where the rad support mounted, and they were another $45.
I don't know what it cost for the labor since it was one of those things we decided to do while the front end was already apart to put on a new cab.


Is the truck worth keeping? That really depends on what kind of shape the rest of the truck is in. If it runs good, and doesn't have any other major rust issues then I would say it's worth keeping around.

 

I need to do this repair as well on my 96. Debating on doing it myself or paying someone. I'm afraid that a radiator support replacement may be more than I can chew.

I tried a quick Google for that shop, but didn't find anything. Is it in Leominster?

 

WHAT?!?!!?

I'm 99.9% sure the radiator support is exactly the same between 302, 351, 460 and 7.3. LMC Truck sells the radiator support for $99.95

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

I stand corrected. 1992-1996 lists two different supports, one gas, one diesel both $189.95. However, 1997 only lists one support and for $99.95

 

Just a FYI. DIESEL radiator supports fro the 92-97 F-series have been obsoleted from ford for about 3 years now. NO ONE makes them. The aftermarket lists one for a diesel(typically a NON a/c) but there is only ONE DIESEL rad support for the 92-97 and the aftermarket does NOT make it. They will sell you a GAS support then YOU are stuck paying the freight back to them(while your truck sits in pieces because you only noticed it AFTER your took it all apart)

There was a guy on Craigs list in conneticut selling USED diesel rad supports for $850 With a fresh coat of black paint on them.

Now. back to what it SHOULD cost to change it. it is a 4-8 hour job depending on how rusty everything is(multiply times hourly rate)

and the rad supports are the most expensive thing you can find. Typically 400-600

Here is a complete diesel nose for $800
92-97 Ford Truck Nose DIESEL

And her is the guy in CT
oem ford 94-97 7.3 diesel radiator support
The clips and screws are nickel and dime(maybe $20)

 

I thought the same thing until we ordered the rad support and they said they had two different one's. One for gas and one for diesel. I've never seen the diesel support so I don't know exactly what the difference is.

 

I just picked up a core support and the whole bottom half of the cab for 100.00 dollars at a yard near me I would call local yards and ask an as far as changing it out its just unhook everything an put it back on after replacing core support two body mounts at the bottom you do have to pull a lot to get to it though

 

Yea hes in leominster MA on central street. Hes a body guy that also does most mechanic work. One man band, keeps on the low no adds, no net, no over head ... should be listed somewhere. Ill call him in the morning on his cell and see if he uses that as his biz line... I dont want to hand out his cell number and its all I have.

I just flipped open LMC and from them the two steel mounts off the frame to support are 29 a pop add rubber and hardware (all listed ) . The core support is 189.. Due to me he hates Fords. I have two F250s behind his shop im gutting to build a 3rd. Hes had it with me being cheap and not buying a new work truck..

Ill PM you after I talk to him ..

Justin

 

im going to need to replace the one in chip truck this year i think.at least i should.she's starting to get a little worse every year.
it's hard to believe the aftermarket hasn't stepped up and made a rad support for the diesel yet.what are they waiting for? and how will we know when they finally made a wider one,and not just list the gas lmao?
it's the same exact thing but just needs to be a little wider to fit the wide diesel rad right Brad?

so since my bottom cross member section is ok.i could just grab this for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Radiator-Support-Black-F250-Truck-F350-Ford-F-250-F-350-FO1225121-F4TZ16138A-/281283538948?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AF-250&hash=item417dce3004&vxp=mtr
then take both up to the local welding shop and have them cut out my bottom section and tack it into the new one and done........right?
they charge about 50 an hr,and i bet it wouldn't take 'em but 20 mins and charge a half hr.

 

LMC truck offers both of them, gas 29 1/8" W x 18 1/4" H or diesel 37 1/3" W x 18 1/4" H radiator open area page 24.

 

yeah but Brad knows first hand the LMC one,even though it's listed for diesel,is the gas unit.
im unsure about the one linked in the ebay ad above.you would think someone would be stamping the suckers out by now.though i really don't think the modification would be much of a concern for a local welder.
edit; how could the diesel rad support be a whopping 8" wider? that doesn't sound right does it? i was thinking it might just be another inch or 2.

tom from mass,
there is no way you should consider ditching the '97 truck simply due to needing a rad support.even if you just had to have one built like i might end up doing.for around $300 and done,it's not that bad.if your retired,you have the time.it's not complicated to replace.just time consuming,but that's ok.there's no more rush,rush in your life.so why pay to have it done? take your time and just do it.

 

Oh that's right he did mention that problem before, forgot about that.

They showed them as "Back order" little while ago, doesn’t say that now might not be bad idea to ask them verify its the larger radiator opening for the diesel model.

Here is a cheaper one using the part number from your linked to ebay listing, comes up for them as the diesel too so maybe a good sign.

Aftermarket FORD F250 RADIATOR SUPPORT Texas | OEM F4TZ16138A Partslink FO1225121 | replacement FORD F250 RADIATOR SUPPORT DFW TX - ISO Certified

Cheaper before freight at least, LMC adds 20 bucks for example. Does say shipping is free for most parts, one that large might not be included though!

Regardless wouldn't hurt to request they verify with a tape measure if any doubt, shouldn't have any trouble doing so for ya.

 

Far as the width not sure but I can run a tape across one of mine if you want, I believe its 31 1/2" center of mount to center of mount top bolts though, but I'd have to double check that figure to be sure.

I know it is wider for the diesel but by how much exactly I couldn't say.

 

The width is only part of the problem. the DIESEL support is over 5" taller than the gasser one.

I will say it again NO AFTERMARKET MAKES ONE FOR A DIESEL

The ONLY way to get a DIESEL rad support is to find a good used one(good luck, my "rust free lightning" needed one and that has no rust any where else.

Find a N.O.S. one

Or BUILD one from a gasser one and the lower hoop from a GOOD diesel one

When I get home from work I will post pics and measurements of a diesel and gas to show why they are different