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I normally participate on the 48-56 forum but have a 2003 4wd 4.0 XLT supercab. Despite my regular oil spray annually on the frame I have rust thru on the crossmember that holds up the rear strap supporting the fuel tank. This is the crossmember at the location of the forward spring hanger for the rear spring. I searched the forum with no luck finding a thread related to crossmember replacement. Anyone been down this road?
You probably will not find many who have repaired this rust out condition. No parts would be available except from a salvage yard and this would be a difficult part to remove unless the yard cut it out with a torch.
Replacement would mean removing the bed to remove the old and weld or bolt in the new crossmember. As far as donors, that part of the frame is virtually unchanged for at least 10-12 years. You could probably fabricate a crossmember that would work as well as the original part.
Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I was afraid that frame crossmember parts might not be available. Upon close inspection the rust through was limited to the attachment point for the rear outside gas tank hanger strap for which I fabricated a new hanger location with 1/4" plate off the frame rail.