cab support fix
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: South La
cab support fix
Ok, i have a 97 f250 4x4 hd extracab. my problem is that, the cab is collapsing around the rubber bushings that support the cab. the bushings that are located under the truck, right about where your feet rest on the floorboard. the sheet metal around the supports is cracked. its not going to get any better so its time to deal with it while its not too bad. the tricky part is that once i install something, the cab weight will be transferred to the retrofit. compromising integrity. i don't expect a perfect solution, but driving soft really bites! any suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I would have to assume the reason for the cab mounts going is because you drive on salted roads in a northern state and the mounts have rusted out around the bushings and the cab has fallen.
The best thing to do is replace them with poly and fab. new metal for the mounts. If you do not have a welder or the skills, you can take 1/8 - 12 gauge metal and BOLT it to the truck body. What I have done in other trucks (BIIs) is bolt the metal to the body/floor using grade 8 1/4 bolts.
A bolt/lock/flat/body metal/flat/lock/nut setup. Drill the holes just enough so you have to thread the bolt through and knock it through the rest of the way with a hammer. Then red RTV both sides of the bolt. I also run red RTV along the seams before it is bolted down. Then uncoat the whole thing, instead and out. I use 3M rubber undercoat stuff on the inside (since it dries hard) and Ford undercoat for gas tanks on the outside (stays sticky an flexes).
Since a 97 is still a pretty new truck, I woudl try to do it the right way and weld new mounts, if available, or 14-16 guage metal in there.
The best thing to do is replace them with poly and fab. new metal for the mounts. If you do not have a welder or the skills, you can take 1/8 - 12 gauge metal and BOLT it to the truck body. What I have done in other trucks (BIIs) is bolt the metal to the body/floor using grade 8 1/4 bolts.
A bolt/lock/flat/body metal/flat/lock/nut setup. Drill the holes just enough so you have to thread the bolt through and knock it through the rest of the way with a hammer. Then red RTV both sides of the bolt. I also run red RTV along the seams before it is bolted down. Then uncoat the whole thing, instead and out. I use 3M rubber undercoat stuff on the inside (since it dries hard) and Ford undercoat for gas tanks on the outside (stays sticky an flexes).
Since a 97 is still a pretty new truck, I woudl try to do it the right way and weld new mounts, if available, or 14-16 guage metal in there.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 3
From: GANS
there must be something else that happened, either that or you drive through acid. I have an 84 and two 85s that have been flogged thru Western PA (road salt capital of the world) and they are still good..
rebocardo's bolt on idea is good if you don't have a welder. I don't know if you can even buy new mounts.
I'd probably look thru a good salvage yard and have them cut you a good one out. I'd cut out the old one and bolt / weld the new one in. As I said, mine are still pretty good, but if I have a problem, I'll probably fab a new set up. With all of this, the hard part is getting everything to line up correctly.
be carefull welding on the mounts. I think they are some kind of funky metal. I welded into one on my 85 when I was welding in floor boards.. it did some funky stuff.
rebocardo's bolt on idea is good if you don't have a welder. I don't know if you can even buy new mounts.
I'd probably look thru a good salvage yard and have them cut you a good one out. I'd cut out the old one and bolt / weld the new one in. As I said, mine are still pretty good, but if I have a problem, I'll probably fab a new set up. With all of this, the hard part is getting everything to line up correctly.
be carefull welding on the mounts. I think they are some kind of funky metal. I welded into one on my 85 when I was welding in floor boards.. it did some funky stuff.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: South La
THanks for the how to, rebocardo and bremen! I'm glad to know that others have done such. I don't know what caused it but its not corrosion, it was there when i bought the truck, on one side it looks like an offroad incident started it and the other side you almost can't see it, but its there. what i'll do is crawl under there and take measurements, make a drawing, then have someone fab the plates. i'm in south Louisianna and have friends that do oilfield welding. many thanks for the response, nothing beats info from real doityourselfers!!!!!!
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