Frame rails, to patch or replace?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 17
From: OH
Frame rails, to patch or replace?
Hey there I have an '81 F150 2wd (was a 300L6 5spd) with a 400 and FMX trans... Starting to get rot on drivers side frame rail right at leaf spring perch. Patch or replace the rail? Started out as a $600 daily and now on 6th engine build, 2nd tranny, and 3rd 9" setup... I'm too deep into it now so may as well just beat this horse till its brand new lol. With that being said. If patched should I really rivet and try for square on the spring perch (getting leafs anyway) or should I get a complete rail W perch already riveted and Bolt the bitch together? Given up too many good rides to give up yet. Will post pics when I'm out this weekend pulling the motor. Or should I back half it with tubing? My friends think I'm nuts already dropped $20k into this thing and I keep breaking it racing. It will be getting the one piece nose from US Body soonish. Thanks for reading the rant!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,951
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
I patched mine. Seemed the best way to quickly get going again. I went to the junkyard and they sold me the complete back half of a frame in good shape for $50. I then drilled the rivets out of both frames and then used bolts to reassemble it. I had a spot like yours on one of the rear hangers. I cut a frame section out of the good frame and then cut the top of the "c" off of the good piece and made it into a "L". I then slipped the L into the old frame backside. I drilled the holes a little bit so the bolts would go through and with the bolts that held the spring hanger, hitch, and crossmember brace going through both pieces, I did not need to weld it .
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 585
Likes: 11
My Ranger suffered the same problem, the frame was rotted out behind the forward spring hanger on the rear. Rather than put a plate on top of it I cut the entire section out and grafted in a new piece of 3/16" steel. That allowed me to weld on both sides. The hangers and shackles were all rotted too so I replaced all of them with new ones from Dorman.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 17
From: OH
It's a long bed. Left side saddle tank 19 gal?
This was 3 days before I broke it last (engine) as you can tell the left side sags pretty bad from a broken leaf which I plan to address when I get around to fixing the frame.
This was 3 days before I broke it last (engine) as you can tell the left side sags pretty bad from a broken leaf which I plan to address when I get around to fixing the frame.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,951
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
If you wanted to get a piece of good frame, use the 4 bolts for the hanger to bolt it in place behind the old frame, and then spot weld it in place, I don't see why that would not work.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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Likes: 4,097
From: Angier, NC
It is stripped of running gear and in a few weeks will have the wreaked cab & bed removed.
Would look like this short bed just not painted.
Dave ----
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,951
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
I know of someone who has a long bed frame from a 81 F100 if someone wants to make a trip down to Raleigh, NC. (Angier, NC.).
It is stripped of running gear and in a few weeks will have the wreaked cab & bed removed.
Would look like this short bed just not painted.
Dave ----
It is stripped of running gear and in a few weeks will have the wreaked cab & bed removed.
Would look like this short bed just not painted.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,832
Likes: 4,097
From: Angier, NC
I guess if you need the truck for work on Monday then a full swap may not be the way to go. Looking at how bad the rot was in the pictures what was the rest of the frame like?
A full frame swap I don't think would be bad.
Only reason I did the "off frame" rebuild is because I wanted a nice looking truck as I could have done the sheet metal work with the cab on the frame.
My flare side bed had nothing left of it either so that had to come off.
The frame I offered up is from my parts truck that rolled but the frame looks to be in good shape as was the rest of the drive train, body damage only.
I will not scrap it but don't want to sit on it forever either so if someone can use it just come get it.
Dave ----
A full frame swap I don't think would be bad.
Only reason I did the "off frame" rebuild is because I wanted a nice looking truck as I could have done the sheet metal work with the cab on the frame.
My flare side bed had nothing left of it either so that had to come off.
The frame I offered up is from my parts truck that rolled but the frame looks to be in good shape as was the rest of the drive train, body damage only.
I will not scrap it but don't want to sit on it forever either so if someone can use it just come get it.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,951
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
I guess if you need the truck for work on Monday then a full swap may not be the way to go. Looking at how bad the rot was in the pictures what was the rest of the frame like?
A full frame swap I don't think would be bad.
Only reason I did the "off frame" rebuild is because I wanted a nice looking truck as I could have done the sheet metal work with the cab on the frame.
My flare side bed had nothing left of it either so that had to come off.
The frame I offered up is from my parts truck that rolled but the frame looks to be in good shape as was the rest of the drive train, body damage only.
I will not scrap it but don't want to sit on it forever either so if someone can use it just come get it.
Dave ----
A full frame swap I don't think would be bad.
Only reason I did the "off frame" rebuild is because I wanted a nice looking truck as I could have done the sheet metal work with the cab on the frame.
My flare side bed had nothing left of it either so that had to come off.
The frame I offered up is from my parts truck that rolled but the frame looks to be in good shape as was the rest of the drive train, body damage only.
I will not scrap it but don't want to sit on it forever either so if someone can use it just come get it.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,832
Likes: 4,097
From: Angier, NC
I don't think you can see it but there is one just in front of the rear tank.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 17
From: OH
I'll organize vac time to come get it
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,832
Likes: 4,097
From: Angier, NC
Sitting on a frame would be kinda shirty for me to ask but if ya still have it come winter I'd definitely be interested in coming down from central Ohio to take it off your hands. Mine is no where near gonna be a daily driver again. With as much crap as I keep throwing at it. Every time I go to court for ticket I tell magistrate "it's just gonna get faster every time I'm hassled". Anyway though. If you're still on I'll message around thanksgiving and if ya still have it
I'll organize vac time to come get it
I'll organize vac time to come get it
Dave - - - -
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 17
From: OH
I most certainly will! Soon as I can get a week off I'll give ya a holler. Haven't traveled much out of OH so it'll be great excuse to get vac time (mgr is a dick) lol