Greetings!

My 78 f150 is rusting out pretty bad. On most of it, I can replace the metal, but I'm concerned about the cab structure. Across the bottom of the cab about 8" in from the rear is a structural member that runs from side to side. This is where the cab mounts are. That piece is pretty far gone and the back of the cab has dropped an inch or so (enough to cause problems with the doors opening).

Can this piece be replaced or rebuilt or do I need a new cab? I'd prefer not to change the cab (for VIN purposes) if I don't have to.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Kevin K.

 

A piece of 3" x 1/8 steel channel (which is about 1 3/8 high) running from mount to mount with a new piece of floor welded in to it would be plenty strong.

 

>A piece of 3" x 1/8 steel channel (which is about 1 3/8
>high) running from mount to mount with a new piece of floor
>welded in to it would be plenty strong.

Great idea! I never thought of using a channel. Is the floor gonna be strong enough to carry the weight of the cab? Or, should I run the channel all the way out to the sides of the cab? (I know it would have to bend down at both sides.)

Thanks for the reply!!!

Kevin K.

 

The 3" channel will be plenty strong, attach to the channel 14 gauge or lighter sheetmetal. I got 12 gauge to make my custom truck bed and I think it would be too awkward to cut, shape, and bend for a floor.

The channel will be about 1/4 inch in the corners and can support quite a load. It will be many times stronger than anything factory. I would run it side to side as far as possible and then weld the OEM floor and replacement floor to it.

To suck it up real right to the floor before welding, use 1/4 inch grade 8 bolts tighten to 25-30 pounds around critical points. Once the floor is welded in, then weld over the bolts, or drop them out and weld in their holes.

The channel can also be an ideal attachment point for a rollcage later.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Sep-02 AT 12:56 PM (EST)]Thanks all!

One more question: Should the channel be "legs up" or "legs down"? I'm assuming "legs down" so you get the most contact with the floor.

Thanks again! I'll post pix when I get it done.

Kevin K.