are 80-81 frames weak?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
If it's 2wd daily driver type truck you'll have no problems. Ford only did that to the frames for a couple years because there were so many reorts of the frames twisting and staying twisted when used to haul heavy loads or when used to offroad. They are also known for cracking right at the rear of the cab.
Sorry, but that's the nature of the beast. I bought an '80 4x4 with a good driveline and a wasted body that i was about to swap my '85 body onto until i noticed the swiss cheese frame. now my '85 is waiting for a warm day to go 4x4.
Justin
Sorry, but that's the nature of the beast. I bought an '80 4x4 with a good driveline and a wasted body that i was about to swap my '85 body onto until i noticed the swiss cheese frame. now my '85 is waiting for a warm day to go 4x4.
Justin
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Originally posted by hoxiii
If it's 2wd daily driver type truck you'll have no problems.
If it's 2wd daily driver type truck you'll have no problems.
re-frame, hmm,, its never a easy hobby
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Use it however you want, just keep an eye on the truck. When one side of the bed starts to get higher than the other side it means your frame is starting to twist and that means it has eitehr alreay cracked or is getting ready to. That's when you grab a new frame. (or box in the other side)
Justin
Justin
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
These frames will take more abuse then you guys think. My dad hasa 80 4x4 he uses as his spray truck (tows a 800 gallon sprayer) and he goes 10mph and no ditch or hil will stop him. As a result of this the frame is bent in 2 places on each side (amazingly it still drizes relativily striaght), the frame has cracked clean through on the p-side radius arm mount, and the very front frame rail (rad mount rail) is crak, and the frame underneath the steering box is also crack. As bad as this seems he still drives the truck, and he beats the crap out of the truck too. But all of these bends and cracks do occur on a hole (or anywhere near for that matter). I wouldn't be to worried about it if i were you, but i would keep an eye on it just to make sure if something does happens, you can stop it from getting worse.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: cheyenne wyoming
frame
I have an 81 short box stepside that i want to put a muscular 460 in. Should I find a different frame? Weld up the holes ? Box the frame for superior strength? What do you guys think?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Re: are 80-81 frames weak?
Originally posted by oldhalftons
are 80-81 frames really weak or do they just look like it with all the holes ford put in them
(search seems to be down or overloaded)
are 80-81 frames really weak or do they just look like it with all the holes ford put in them
(search seems to be down or overloaded)
Since you have a 4x4, also keep an eye on the frame where the steering box is bolted. The sooner you catch and repair that crack the better off you are.
There have been many suggestions here on frame welding. If you get a chance do a search.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Pocatello, Idaho
I agree with mustange70, the 80-81 frames are tougher than they are given credit for. I bought mine new and, for years hauled firewood out of rough places which caused the frame to flex but it's still straight. However, I have seen 80-81 trucks with bent frames and wondered how it happened. Ford got so much bad publicity about these "swiss cheese frames' they changed back to a solid frame in '82.
81 F150 4X4 SWB bought new 203 NP435 NP 208 224,000 mi.
81 F150 4X4 SWB bought new 203 NP435 NP 208 224,000 mi.