'81 spaghetti frame
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 59
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'81 spaghetti frame
my buddies got an 81 f150 long box with 8'' skyjacker, and 37'' boggers, for sale. i just wrote my truck off, and his is for sale so i was thinking of buying it. but does anybody know the quality of the frame on the year, we were off roading and that thing was frame was flexing like 2 noodles. i am aware of a couple years ford drilled a bunch of holes in the frame to lighten er up , but i dont know if this was it. i havent checked underneath.
thanks for the help !!
thanks for the help !!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 453
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From: RI
In 80 and 81 they cut several soft-ball sized holes in the frame, starting before the end of the cab, and going back under the bed. I was going to buy an 81 frame for my wrecked 84, but after seeing those holes....no way. I've seen a truck bent in the middle and wouldn't want to go through the effort of restoring mine only to have the frame warp. My 2c.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 650
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I've wheeled a couple of early 80's broncos pretty hard and they flex a LOT- flex so much that the body cant keep up and if its rusty will actually pull the body mounts away from frame- but it never hurt the frames any.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 333
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From: Safford, Arizona
I've flexed my truck like crazy, and though the frame will flex alot, I've never had anything break or bend. You shouldn't have any problems.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 851
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It was the early 80's F100's with whatscalled the swiss cheese frame. Haven't heard of any of the 4x4's with em
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
One thing a lot of the ranchers learned around here is that you NEVER put a flatbed on a 80-early 82 Ford pickup and expect to haul ANYTHING. Especially the 1/2 tons. (3/4 tons are similar) Those stupid things will bend right in half just behind the cab....HA HA HA.
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