Rusted cross member
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Rusted cross member
Hi, my cross member that holes up the back of my cab is in really bad shape. My question is can I change it my just jacking up the back of the cab or does the whole cab have to be lifted?
Going to change the next cross member down too that holes the gas tank..it was broken. I removed the old one tonight, off to the junk yard tomorrow!
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
Sbishop
Going to change the next cross member down too that holes the gas tank..it was broken. I removed the old one tonight, off to the junk yard tomorrow!
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
Sbishop
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
well it would be easier.. to pull the whole cab .. off.. but if yor crossmember is rusted through.. im sure the rest of the truck is pretty ruff as well disconnect the back body mount bolts.. and the front ones of the cab.... and take off the front fenders.. then lift the back of the cab with a jack.. reall slow and easy... about 4 to 6 inches and that should do the trick
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
you should be able to just remove the body mounts at the rear of the cab and loosten the body mounts at the front and jack it up enough. it'll be tight, but entirely doable. IMO, removing a cab is a PAIN!!! too much to disconnect and reconnect again if you can avoid it.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by NavyMIDN08
you should be able to just remove the body mounts at the rear of the cab and loosten the body mounts at the front and jack it up enough. it'll be tight, but entirely doable. IMO, removing a cab is a PAIN!!! too much to disconnect and reconnect again if you can avoid it.
I have read in many posts that is common for that cross member to either crack or rot to the point of breaking away from the side rails. So you are not alone with a bad cross member.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
I repaired the crossmember and replaced the body mounts on mine with the cab still installed. Didn't even loosen the front body mounts.
The clip was already off of mine, so i can't comment on if this is a must or not.
Something to watch out for is that it is nearly impossible to split the body mount shells while under the truck. I was "fortunate" enough that my crossmember had rusted through badly enough that i could pull the mount without splitting the shell.
If you're pulling teh whole thing anyway it won't be that big of a deal, but if you wind up having to leave the old one in there be ready for a fight.
Justin
The clip was already off of mine, so i can't comment on if this is a must or not.
Something to watch out for is that it is nearly impossible to split the body mount shells while under the truck. I was "fortunate" enough that my crossmember had rusted through badly enough that i could pull the mount without splitting the shell.
If you're pulling teh whole thing anyway it won't be that big of a deal, but if you wind up having to leave the old one in there be ready for a fight.
Justin
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
It's not necessary to loosen the front mounts. Just jack up the back of the cab a few inches. I just did this last year on mine. I have some pictures in my gallery. The frame is usually in good shape from the back of the cab forward, because of all the oil and grease getting thrown of the engine and tranny seem to protect it.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
I was at the junk yard today, I was able to pick up a section of frame off a 96. I got both cross members, one for the tank and one for the back of the cab! seems to be in good shape!
any suggestions on removing the cab cross member? i'm thinking of using a torch and cutting out the rivets...What do you think?
THANKS for all the help!
Sbishop
any suggestions on removing the cab cross member? i'm thinking of using a torch and cutting out the rivets...What do you think?
THANKS for all the help!
Sbishop
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I usually drill or cut the rivet heads off and knock em loose with a big steel drift and a B.F.H. I too have to replace the cab mount crossmember on my 84, I was able to repair the one behind it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
I found the easiest way was to center punch the head of the rivet, and then drill it out. My drill bit was just under the rivet shank size, so after I drilled it even with the frame, I too would just take a chisel and knock the head off. I did three crossmembers and two spring hangers on mine. Double that because you have to drill out all the rivets on the junkyard frame.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I found the easiest way was to center punch the head of the rivet, and then drill it out. My drill bit was just under the rivet shank size, so after I drilled it even with the frame, I too would just take a chisel and knock the head off. I did three crossmembers and two spring hangers on mine. Double that because you have to drill out all the rivets on the junkyard frame.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
geoffthepilot
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
27
Mar 25, 2016 10:36 AM
turbosporsche
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Oct 28, 2015 11:17 AM
56panelford
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 9, 2015 09:56 AM
George Fletcher
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 11, 2015 06:00 PM