Help!! Frame cracked
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Lakehurts, NJ
Help!! Frame cracked
I need some serious help. While replacing my negative battery cable I noticed a crack in the frame right in front of the front rear spring perch on the passenger side of my 1990 F350 4X4. The crack starts at the bottom lip of the frame rail and travels a little more than a 1/4 up the frame. Where the crack ends appears to be a rusted out hole no bigger than a pin head. I don't use the truck to go four wheeling or tow heavy objects. The truck is mainly used to haul my quad in the bed (Quad weighs 715 and I weigh 235), take garbage to the dump, and home improvement projects. Can the crack be welded or plated on the inside of the frame rail and then welded? Can I just leave it since I don't use the truck that much? And the last question is how much would it cost to purchase a frame and have someone install evrything from the bad frame to the good frame? I don't have the time or the space for that kind of project. I probably can't afford it any way but who knows. 
New User
Joined: Aug 2007
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you should be able to weld this crack with a normal 220 mig. you can however weld the crack and then put some plate on both sides and weld that as well which would be another way to add strength to insure no further cracking happenes. although, first you should take a drill and drill our the frame where the crack ends(the alreaddy little rust hole) this will prevent the crack from spreading any further. iv seen this done and work fine especially considering you do no heavy hauling. you might want to check the rest of the frame for similar cracks and/or rusted out spots at this time though to make sure its worth the repair - ben
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 168
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From: VA
The small hole at the end of the crack i most likely from somebody stop drilling the crack it is done in order to keep the crack from spreading. if you did not drill the hole chances are it has been there since before you bought the truck. clean up around that area to insure the crack has not spread if it has not and you are not going to haul any real weight i would not worry about it if you wont to install a piece of metal on the inside and weld it it can only help
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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110 or 220 mig will do the trick. Frame is not more then 3/16. Just lay a wide, healthy bead on both sides. If you want, grind the welds off and plate it. If i remember right, that section is arced so you wouldnt be able to use angle iron?? If not, 3/16" CRS should be just fine. If it was me, I would just weld both sides and call it good. If you are a good welder, its not going to re crack. And if it does, you need to reconsider what your hauling, or beef up the frame at the high stress points.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 269
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From: Saukville WI
Wanna see my crack!! I had to run outside with my camera when i saw this post my crack has been this way for about 3 years-front drivers side behind spring perch.... I do plan on welding it soon tho Later guys'
Its on my 86 but close enoughj, Oh I use the the truck really hard too..
Good luck ,
Donnie
Its on my 86 but close enoughj, Oh I use the the truck really hard too..
Good luck ,
Donnie
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 28
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From: Lakehurts, NJ
I guess the spring perches are a weak point on the fords. I'll take pics of mine on Monday and post. Unfortunatley I don't know how to weld. I probably should learn and since I work in a oil refinery my company would pay for it becuase it can be used in my profession.
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