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Looking at buying a 79 F350 and this is one of
the photos provided by the seller. Guessing that patch is where the frame cracked? Looks a bit like there’s another crack right next to it but it might just be grime buildup.
How concerning is this?
Thanks in advance, I’m not too familiar with these trucks.
Not sure why the guys with much more experience haven't chimed in yet since frame issues usually bring everyone running in the door, but that would concern me a lot. I don't like the look of that patch. It almost looks like an afterthought. Makes you wonder what else on the truck was "repaired" in the same manner.
X2 if that is a repair it is a bit sketchy looking. Also LOOK at the steering shaft right behind it. IT does NOT look correct either, that u joint on the steering box (red box) in put shaft, SHOULD be on the steering shaft right where it comes out the fire wall. The bell with the slip T goes on that steering box in put shaft. Red circle shows some welding of some sort.
Usually the crack/cracks are in the vicinity of the steering box bolts where they pass thru the frame. Is or was this a snow plow truck? I see a extra bracket red on bottom item, that is NOT OEM for sure. And that might be what that brackets/piece is welded on there for.
This just covers the basics (mechanicals) of these old trucks and does not even get into the body issues. Like the common bed fenderwell lip rust. The biggest one to check is the fwd cab mounts. Not the frame ones, but where the cab sets on the frame. Down under and just fwd of the fender to door seam area. It could have front fender, inner fenderwell plastic liners, look BEHIND them at the cab mounts.
X2 if that is a repair it is a bit sketchy looking. Also LOOK at the steering shaft right behind it. IT does NOT look correct either, that u joint on the steering box (red box) in put shaft, SHOULD be on the steering shaft right where it comes out the fire wall. The bell with the slip T goes on that steering box in put shaft. Red circle shows some welding of some sort.
Usually the crack/cracks are in the vicinity of the steering box bolts where they pass thru the frame. Is or was this a snow plow truck? I see a extra bracket red on bottom item, that is NOT OEM for sure. And that might be what that brackets/piece is welded on there for.
Yes, it’s a plow truck - I didn’t consider that the bracket could be for that. Here’s a few more photos, there’s definitely a patch further down on the frame.
The only reason why I’m considering the truck is that it appears to be almost rust free and priced low, which is very rare in my neck of the woods.
The seller doesn’t seem to know too much about the truck, the story is that it was used as a plow for logging roads for it’s entire life, which would explain the lack of rust.
The truck itself has a few odd things about it, namely that it’s 1) a 4wd, 2) a flat bed dually, 3) a Ranger Lariat. As far as I know all chassis cab / stake trucks were 2wd and not offered with the Ranger Lariat package and there was no 4x4 dually option until the 80s. The most reasonable explanation is that the dually axle and flat bed were swapped in at some point.
The oval ish piece looks to be bolted on and not a cracked frame weld on repair. All that square tubing on top of the frame has been added to get the flat bed to be level. No big deal. And so it has OEM overloads (the extra leaf spring on top of the normal leaf spring pack). And the bump stops for those overloads look to be riveted on, like from the factory. Again no big deal. I bet that front piece is an anchor point for the snow plow mount front mount arms that came back under the truck. I bet that there is the same piece on the other side of the truck and a flat bar is welded in between them. Home make snow plow mount stuff.
And you know that about any axle can be put on a truck, just like a 460 motor swap. 460 WAS not available (FROM THE FACTORY) with 4WD or a Manual Trans until 1983, then only in F250/350's
I did notice it was bolted, but is there any reason that something like that would be added in that specific location other than to deal with a potential frame issue?
Any potential frame issue (crack) is NOT going to be handled with a piece bolted on (with 3 bolts only). Does that flat bed tilt by chance? The reason to bolt on that panel could be for some part bolted to the inside of the frame?
Looking at the rear leaf spring pack, WOW some one sure added some extra leafs back there. WAY more than any F250 F350 spring pack should have. Did that truck carry a salt dog (spreader)?
The bed doesn’t tilt and I don’t think it would have had a salt spreader, especially if the logging road story is true. Here’s a few photos showing the deck.
Back in the days of these trucks a lot of construction business's took to plowing snow in the winter to keep from laying off the help for the winter. They would do parking lots, big parking lots. Time was money and the worker hungry for OT. My friend said you made a flying pass across parking lot, when you were close to the pile on other side you would slip it into reverse and be looking out rear window to back up when it hit pile you hit the gas. Never used the brakes. I've never looked at plow truck twice.
Nice one for sure, if you have never owned a flat bed before, you have never had the enjoyment of a portable work bench. Also makes vehicle insurance cheaper, just ask them or tell them it is a flat bed. That words around here. Some wooden side racks and a tail board to stop stuff from sliding off and go for it.
Get you some under bed boxes for more storage.
The most user friendly set up on sides and tail boards.
