Well boys its time to lay her to rest. My 1988 ford f-150 has had a good run, and kinda sad to see her go. I have had some issues with the frame, as some of you might kno cuz i had a post thread about it. The frame has finally went all the way, and i tried to fix it, no good. It is like losin a best friend, lots of memorys with this truck, good times and bad. Although im keepin her guts (engine, tranny, rearend, and front end). I think i have a bad head gasket in it, so im goin to rip the head off and replace that, and prolly all the other gaskets while im at it, cuz it runs good. I baught another truck same exact thing, minus the lift kit, so really its going to feel sorta the same. With this new i want to build a flatbed for it, maybe build it outa wood, coat it, then cover it with dimond plate. Also im going to lift this one, but only a few inches enough to level it out, and snug some 32s under it. While im hittin on this subject, does anyone have any blueprints for buildin a flatbed for an 88 ford f-150 long bed? Well thats it for now

R.I.P. 1988 ford F-150, il miss ya.

 

I don't have any blueprints, but I'd just lay long sections of square tubing across the width of the truck to get an idea of how they line up, then make spacers between the frame and those sections until they are level down the length of the truck.

Then weld on square tubing for the sides, and you have yourself an open frame platform to put your wood flooring and diamond plate on top.

 

What was wrong with the frame? Rusted through...or tweaked?

 

Well im not sure what did it, cowboyin it through some feilds, or whatever did it. The frame, right buy the fuel filter, has crack up all the way, the only thing holdin it together is the top part of the frame ( the frame is like a c shape). Im not sure if i would wanna try to fix it, i am gettin another truck same exact thing, with 80,000 miles on it, for $500 bucks. The bed is shot on the truck im buyin, so thats why i would like to build a flat bed for it ( easy to load stuff onto also).

 

And no it isnt not rusted through or anything it is cracked.

 

Ahh...new truck sounds like the better deal...but if you wanted to keep the original truck anyways...all it would take is some fish plate, and some welding. The flange on the C-channel isn't very strong...so driving around with it the way it is probably isn't the best idea. Good luck with the new truck.

 

Hey 88... aren't you located in Middleburg? PM me and I'll take a look at it and see if I can help ya.

 

Handyman43358, im located in Washington, PA. I see your from West Mansfeild, Ohio. I wish there was something i could do about this, really i havent had much experience yet with frames, and im affraid of repairing it, and it breakin goin down the interstate, causin a wreck, somethin i dont kno if im ready to do. I love this truck to death, and the body on it is pretty good (no rust, few dents). It is also leakin oil like crazy, but i kno what it is, it is the oil pan gasket. It is runnin kind of bad, which i think it is the timing. Really im thinkin bout givin my truck one more shot at being repaired, but im still buyin the other truck, right now im huntin some blueprints for a flatbed, i found a few but nothing what im lookin for. Also after buildin a flatbed, i heard u need to take it to the statey boys for approval or something? Im in PA does anyone kno anything about that? Lots of stuff to think about, would like as many opionions as possible.

 

Sorry bout that, a fella who used to get on here all the time had a Screen Name like you do, only he was 5 miles up the road haha.

 

Last time I checked, custom built flatbeds have to be approved by a state certified inspection station, but not if you use the original bed mounts and fender wells. Where exactly is Washington, PA? Im near Valley Forge and might be able to help with whatever ya need if yer close.


The Admiral

 

It sounds to me like if the frame is cracked, you can fix it.

Drill a very small hole at the end of the crack to stop it, then weld up both sides of the crack, and weld a small plate on the inside of the frame for extra support.


If done right it'll be stronger than ever.

 

I'm with Mustang here. Anything is possible if you can weld. Everything else is possible if you have duct tape and zip ties haha.

 

i feel your pain, when my 82 spun a rod bearing i thought she was finaly going to make the voyage to the big parking gradge in the sky. needed a motor, front end work, brake work we came to a figure of about 2800 bucks to make her road worthy again.

not wanting to part ways just yet i parked it in the yard next to the gradge. when driving around one day i came across a 86 f150 that i ended buying for 400 bucks, after a black primer job, i transferd the mirriors, tool box, cb and wip antennas, and confederate flag lisence plate it looks exactly the same.

i guess what im getting at here is i have a beat up truck that dosnt run and a 460/c6 sitting in the gradge. the truck will never see street use again instead im going all out on it and making my self a drag truck.

if your buying another truck why not make something fun out of the old truck, make a mudder, drag truck, ect ect. weld the crack, and weld a plate on each side or go all out and box the whole frame.