I need to do some welding on a 04 Superduty. I have two custom hitch plates bolted to the sides of the frame rear using OEM holes for the bumper. The side plates have square holes in them so I can slide in the 3" square tube between the plates. Now I have to weld the square tube in place with the side plates bolted up...so the hitch components will be aligned properly.

Since I need to weld...the Ford Body Builders Advisory Service guidelines states when welding anywhere on the truck...I should unplug the ABS module, PCM and battery. Of course my ground will be right next to where I'm welding but I want to also follow guidelines and unplug all the components.

Can anyone help me determine where the ABS module and PCM on this 2004 F550 V10 truck is so I can unplug them?

Also...the builder/installer of the service body on the truck now welded some 1/4" plates for bumper supports. I cut those off easily w/o touching the frame as they left a 1/16" gap between the frame and plate steel. My concern here with them is that they didn't unplug the PCM and ABS module. They said they disconnected the battery but looked at me in question when I asked if they had unplugged the other components...as if they had never heard of that.

Those bumper brackets had 2 - 4" long welds each. I would imagine they grounded right on the brackets themselves. But I'm worried about damage they may have caused to my electrical system since they didn't (most likely) unplug the other sensitive components.

The truck seems fine with no electrical problems since. How should I address any problems with Ford if I someday have a PCM or ABS module failure? I'd like to blame it on the body builder since they didn't follow Ford QVM guidelines. They do alot of trucks I'm sure...and you'd think they would unplug such stuff if they had past problems...but I'm not sure if they ever had any complaints either.

Thanks.

 

I welded up my cat back exhaust recently, didn't unplug anything. I bet it's an all or nothing deal. Usually with computer related components, if current makes it to where it isn't supposed to be, it's toast.

Eric

 

ive welded on my truck a couple times without unpluggin anything, but thats cause i was in a hurry and didnt give a shizz at the time... if your asking the question on here.. you got the time... id unplug the battery connections and call it good...
JJ