Is it a no no
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,892
Likes: 4,119
From: Angier, NC
You might have heard something bad about them but have you seen with your own eyes one that was bad?
I have not and I have a 81 F100 4x2 and dont worry about it.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
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From: Virginia
Each time Ford hit that frame with a large punch to punch those holes, it made the metal around the hole stronger. You will notice they formed the frame into a "C", they did not weld it from flat metal. Each time they formed or punched the frame member, it made it stronger, it's called "work hardening".
Those holes will not limit the load carrying capacity of the frame. They may make it weaker if you had a side impact.
That is why the factory discourages welding on the frames. When the frame is heated, it takes the work hardening out of the metal. They weld on large trucks all the time, but they have instructions that they are allowed only to weld on them in certain areas using certain methods.
Those holes will not limit the load carrying capacity of the frame. They may make it weaker if you had a side impact.
That is why the factory discourages welding on the frames. When the frame is heated, it takes the work hardening out of the metal. They weld on large trucks all the time, but they have instructions that they are allowed only to weld on them in certain areas using certain methods.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
Dave -----
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
Each time Ford hit that frame with a large punch to punch those holes, it made the metal around the hole stronger. You will notice they formed the frame into a "C", they did not weld it from flat metal. Each time they formed or punched the frame member, it made it stronger, it's called "work hardening".
Those holes will not limit the load carrying capacity of the frame. They may make it weaker if you had a side impact.
That is why the factory discourages welding on the frames. When the frame is heated, it takes the work hardening out of the metal. They weld on large trucks all the time, but they have instructions that they are allowed only to weld on them in certain areas using certain methods.
Those holes will not limit the load carrying capacity of the frame. They may make it weaker if you had a side impact.
That is why the factory discourages welding on the frames. When the frame is heated, it takes the work hardening out of the metal. They weld on large trucks all the time, but they have instructions that they are allowed only to weld on them in certain areas using certain methods.
I reckon I’ll live with it.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
might have been a heavier version F250 and 350 that didn’t use this frame?
this one does have the floater rear Dana 60 and 44 front.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,172
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Ah, I see.
Like many others, I'm in the no weld camp. In a perfect world, with perfectly matched material and perfectly executed welding, you should be okay. But in practice, there will be high and low points in the welds, not to mention defects, all of which will concentrate stress.
But since the primary purpose is cosmetic, what if you rigged up some non-structural panels? Maybe some medium gauge sheet metal or similar? Or design the flatbed to hide the holes?
Like many others, I'm in the no weld camp. In a perfect world, with perfectly matched material and perfectly executed welding, you should be okay. But in practice, there will be high and low points in the welds, not to mention defects, all of which will concentrate stress.
But since the primary purpose is cosmetic, what if you rigged up some non-structural panels? Maybe some medium gauge sheet metal or similar? Or design the flatbed to hide the holes?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
Ah, I see.
Like many others, I'm in the no weld camp. In a perfect world, with perfectly matched material and perfectly executed welding, you should be okay. But in practice, there will be high and low points in the welds, not to mention defects, all of which will concentrate stress.
But since the primary purpose is cosmetic, what if you rigged up some non-structural panels? Maybe some medium gauge sheet metal or similar? Or design the flatbed to hide the holes?
Like many others, I'm in the no weld camp. In a perfect world, with perfectly matched material and perfectly executed welding, you should be okay. But in practice, there will be high and low points in the welds, not to mention defects, all of which will concentrate stress.
But since the primary purpose is cosmetic, what if you rigged up some non-structural panels? Maybe some medium gauge sheet metal or similar? Or design the flatbed to hide the holes?
I also agree with the stress points. I don’t think that welding is a good idea.