I have to do some frame work on my 1979 f-150,I have to remove several brackets that are attached to frame which are riveted on, so which is the best way to remove those rivets

 

My friend had a cutting tip for his oxy/acetylene torch that he says works great, I've never seen it.
You might do a search for one.
Sorry I don't know the name of even have a picture of it.

 

Blood, sweat, and tears is how it can end up. You can oxy torch cut the head smooth off, then heat the rest of the rivit and beat the pin out.

You can use a grinder and cut a X in the rivet head, chisel the 4 piece off, then heat and beat the pin out.

Hand held plasma cutter, set on 45 amps with a fine cut tip, and cut the head off and then gouge out the inner part of the rivet. Then tap out the rest.

 

I drill a small pilot throught the middle of the head and then use a bit that is close to the size of the shank that goes throught the hole.

 

That technic works well. Took this approach when replacing a leaf spring mount on the '79.

 

When I shortened by 74 from long box to short box we had a number of rivets to remove. We did all of the above but found the best, cleanest way was to grind the rivet down flush with the frame and punch the rest of the rivet thru. Which side doesn't really matter (which ever side is easiest to grind) . Just make sure it's flush and it'll come out. Need a big hammer, and a good sized punch with a bit of a point. The plasma cutter idea was what I had originally planned to do but you risk messing up the frame hole so I'd avoid that.

 

ok thanks everybody

 

I do the same thing but first use two big hammers to slightly flatten the head of the rivet. This makes it easier to find the center so that pilot hole leads a bigger drill bit (c.1/2") to remove most of the head. Sometime I get real lucky and the head just falls off. An air hammer with a pointy bit clears the rivet remnants from the frame. I like this method because it doesn't leave any scars on the frame - just a clean hole.