rusted frame

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May 23, 2001 | 05:11 PM

ceasarsdream

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Joined: May 2001

Posts: 7

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From: Meriden USA

rusted frame

I have a 1990 ford F-150 super cab that I am restoring. The rear frame cross members are rusted pretty bad and I would like to replace them. I visited my local ford dealer and they are not shown in their parts catalog. Does anyone know where I can get replacement crossmembers or is my only option is to have them fabricated. Also do I need to do one at a time ?
If I do all the rears at once would I mess up any frame alignment ?
I appreciate any and all information.

Thanks in advance

Philip J. Fredericks

May 23, 2001 | 11:15 PM

PAUL_2

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Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 3,172

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rusted frame

Ford's body shop parts catalog should have the crossmember parts listed . Unless they are rusted to the point of being broke I wouldnt replace them , maybe sandblast them & once they are all cleaned up , have it all undercoated esp if you live in an area with lots of road salt in the winter .

May 24, 2001 | 04:15 PM

DannyP

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Joined: Jan 2000

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From: Gravel Switch, KY

rusted frame

It used to be that a frame would last long after the body was ate up but now the tide has reversed. Sadly this appears to be a common problem from what I have observed. Ford must have used some pretty poor metal in the cross members but the frame itself seems to be of better material. Check the frame near the rear spring shackle as mine was paper thin in this area due to rust. I replaced my whole frame from the cab back with one from a F-350 and it had a healthy case of rust as well and it was only a 95 model. I cleaned it up with a grinder and wire wheel and painted it. It should outlast the rest of the truck-I hope. It should not
affect your alignment if you replace your crossmembers, unless the frame is already out of whack from a wreck.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

May 25, 2001 | 06:56 AM

ceasarsdream

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Joined: May 2001

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From: Meriden USA

rusted frame

The only bad parts of the frame is from the rear cab mounts back. The frame rails are not bad at all, just the last 3 crossmembers are real bad. The one where the rear cab mounts too is not as bad as the ones under the bed but it is still bad. Thanks.

May 25, 2001 | 06:59 AM

ceasarsdream

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Joined: May 2001

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From: Meriden USA

rusted frame

I noticed that you replaced your entire frame with one from a 350. Here is a question for you.
What is the differences in the frame reils in the front. I would like to "beef" up my suspension to 250 or 350 and I am having a hard time finding the answers I am looking for. Would a 250 or 350 leaf set up work or are the frames totally different ?

Thanks

May 25, 2001 | 06:01 PM

Steve91

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Joined: May 2001

Posts: 323

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From: Groveland, MA

rusted frame

I noticed that the radius arm bracket on mine was badly rotted. I replaced it with a new one from Ford (about $18). Then I noticed that the frame itself has pinholes throughout that area. I guess it's time to trade...

Steve

May 25, 2001 | 09:09 PM

Franklin2

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Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,997

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From: Virginia

rusted frame

I scraped and painted my 80 frame, but what I didn't like was where the crossmembers riveted to the frame. The frame and the crossmembers get thinner as the rust flakes off, but where the parts meet and are riveted they don't, or I guess we all hope they don't since if that material flakes out of the joint, then the crossmember will be loose in the frame. But without any money for a new truck, what's a guy going to do but paint and then drive it till it falls apart.