I very recently bought a 1996 F 150 4x4 with the 5.0 v8 and 5 speed transmission with 119000 miles on it. As with all deals that seem too good to be true this one was as well. The frame is rusted out almost completely, to repair the frame on the truck would be about $1500-$2000 which is about what I have in it already and I can't afford to get that far into this truck. The new problem I face is what to do now. I don't want to be the next guy to screw someone over and dump the truck on someone else, but it will be impossible to sell without being dishonest. My first instinct was to swap a frame with a cheaper part truck, but I don't know if that will work. Another idea was to sell the truck for parts but I'm not sure how much I would get from that. What do you guys think I should do?
Also I apologize if I posted in the wrong place.

 

Pass on the rusted frame and look for another truck that is in better shape.


Welcome to FTE jtoy1026!

 

Who did you buy it from, and how long ago?

If you can't go back on the seller, I would suggest parting it out.

Swapping a frame is a lot of work, and who know what you are going to find in the process.

Cut the loss, part it out if it isn't safe to drive and move on.

Sorry.....

 

If the motor and tranny are in good shape,you could pull them, scrap the truck and look for a donor vehicle with a better body and bad drivetrain.

 

That's what I'd do look for a truck that needs a drive train, lot easier to swap than a frame and plenty of years to choose from for direct swap.

 

Sounds like you have the ability so a combination of these two options is the answer. Search out a comparable truck that is cheap and the parts are complimentary. For example same body style(ideally color), good frame, but the parts that are good on the one you have are bad on the one you shop for. Then combine the two trucks to make one good one and sell what you don't need. Odds are that done smartly it will net you a very good truck, a good pile of spare parts, and selling what's left will pay you back for the second truck.



Also likely you'll get better replies in the area specific to that generation truck, 1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums I suggest you ask the mod to simply move this entire thread there.