Frame repair - rough estimate?
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Frame repair - rough estimate?
My '88 F150 has a badly rusted frame, especially on the left rear. The worst part is right where the shock mount connects--completely rusted out in the middle; the only metal is on the top-and bottom of the "C". But you've got to go about 3 feet forward to get to good, solid metal.
The truck is mechanically very good, so I'm considering trying to find someone to fix it, maybe by welding on a new rear half of that frame member. It's a very common truck, so I should be able to find used parts (apparently the same frame works from '87-96...is that right? It's what I've been told).
My question is, how much should I expect this to cost, especially for labor? What if I were to put on a whole rear end of the frame (the front is pretty good)?
Just looking for a ballpark estimate here. Just trying to figure out if it's worth trying to find somebody to do the work. I don't have tools to do it myself--or a garage, and I live in Maine, where it's "mud season" right now.
Jim
The truck is mechanically very good, so I'm considering trying to find someone to fix it, maybe by welding on a new rear half of that frame member. It's a very common truck, so I should be able to find used parts (apparently the same frame works from '87-96...is that right? It's what I've been told).
My question is, how much should I expect this to cost, especially for labor? What if I were to put on a whole rear end of the frame (the front is pretty good)?
Just looking for a ballpark estimate here. Just trying to figure out if it's worth trying to find somebody to do the work. I don't have tools to do it myself--or a garage, and I live in Maine, where it's "mud season" right now.
Jim
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by jaustin
My '88 F150 has a badly rusted frame, especially on the left rear. The worst part is right where the shock mount connects--completely rusted out in the middle; the only metal is on the top-and bottom of the "C". But you've got to go about 3 feet forward to get to good, solid metal.
The truck is mechanically very good, so I'm considering trying to find someone to fix it, maybe by welding on a new rear half of that frame member. It's a very common truck, so I should be able to find used parts (apparently the same frame works from '87-96...is that right? It's what I've been told).
My question is, how much should I expect this to cost, especially for labor? What if I were to put on a whole rear end of the frame (the front is pretty good)?
Just looking for a ballpark estimate here. Just trying to figure out if it's worth trying to find somebody to do the work. I don't have tools to do it myself--or a garage, and I live in Maine, where it's "mud season" right now.
Jim
The truck is mechanically very good, so I'm considering trying to find someone to fix it, maybe by welding on a new rear half of that frame member. It's a very common truck, so I should be able to find used parts (apparently the same frame works from '87-96...is that right? It's what I've been told).
My question is, how much should I expect this to cost, especially for labor? What if I were to put on a whole rear end of the frame (the front is pretty good)?
Just looking for a ballpark estimate here. Just trying to figure out if it's worth trying to find somebody to do the work. I don't have tools to do it myself--or a garage, and I live in Maine, where it's "mud season" right now.
Jim
As you can probaly see by now, no one is willing to offer up something they have no way of seeing and giving a opinion on, sorry. Just take a ride to your local welding shops and ask them. Do not expect a lot of good replies though, especially with that much retrofitting you are asking them to do. It creates a lot of personal liability for the welder/shop owner, because they have no way of knowing the KNOWN strength of that old metal they will be welding on to. good luck jmo
