I have a 2000 Ranger Ext cab with the stepside bed. Well, some guy hit me in the left rear bumper bracket going about 5-10 mph. Not a hard hit but it did shove the bed into the cab and crease it but the bed sprang back into position. There is some minor frame damage by the spring hanger. I looked for more frame damage but I wasn't sure if it is or not. Maybe someone here could tell me where to look if you have had any experience like this. The body shop I went to said they would have to pull the bed to get a better look. I didn't want to miss any damage if it is under the cab.

 

Spot your truck on some blacktop and draw the outline of each of the 4 tires on the pavement. Move the truck and locate the center of each rectangle by drawing diagonals thru each rectangle. Measure the boxes diagonally. If the distance is the same for each diagonal, your frame should be OK. If not, the frame is sprung and off to the body shop you go.

 

Michigan is completely correct, however... if I may make an adjustment on his suggestion.

A much more accurate way to check this is to take a plumb bob and pick atleast four spots on the frame. Doesn't matter which spots, but you must be sure that they are the same spot as the other side. What I mean, if you will look under your truck, say on the front. On the frame, behind where the bumper mounts, there are two little rivets, they are flat on the bottom. There is one on each side of the frame. Put your sting in the center of this rivet and mark your plumb on the ground. Then do the same on the other side. Now, go to the back of the truck, and find two points that you can do that same thing to. As I said, they must be the same spot on each side of the frame. Once you do this, you might as will pick a spot on the middle of the frame. If I recall correctly, there are several small round holes in the side of the frame, just below the frame. Do the same thing with these.

Now, you can move your truck.

Then, you measure first your diagonals. These should be the same, if not, it's bent. You can then measure each corner to the middle marks you made. By doing this, you can tell approximately where it is bent.

Let us know if you need more help.

Stan

 

Hey Traxxis, I like your approach. Its more accurate than mine.

 

Unfortionately, I just learned how to do all of this in the last couple months. My wife wrecked my '97, bending the frame. The guy who was supposed to bend the frame back did a pretty crappy job, this is how I found out just how crappy of a job he did.



STan

 

this should give you a good ideal to go off of,but dont hold the dims. as holly grail as this for a 2006 truck. "should" be the same,as I know cabs and beds and lots of part will interchance.

 

you guys really amaze me at times with the info and ideas you come up with! Rep to both of you!

 

Bless you my friend Lowdown... bless you.

Any idea, are these good for a '97 2x4 extendedcab?

Stan

MFP, Thanks for the rep.

 

Sorry Lowdown, it wont let me give you rep anymore, but you certainly deserve it for that one.

 

thanks for the reps guys....


trax, no good for the 97. the frame changed a bit in 98 in someplaces.for the A-arm front ends.
but from the front cab mounts back and it "Should" be the same.(I sound liek poilitican there lol) As i know you can put a 98 and newer cab on the 97older frames.

You could make your own diagram,with lots of time and fussing. by meassuring the frame on each side and diagnoal check it. wood dowels and duct tape probly be a good friend for doing this.

my self IF i was to do that I would use the factory jig pins for my first ref. marks. your frame jig pins should be at #1, and #5

I dont have anymore of the diagrams like I posted before. I wish.

 

You're fired. I'm removing my positive rep for you.

 

ahhh man, In times like this, you would fire a guy?...

well can you atleast lay me off, so I can collect my unejoyment if tell you where you can get them.........




















ford service manual's. the big book ones. about 8 inches thick...trying to find out what exact manual. as they run about 75-100 bucks I see on ebay

 

Michigan66 & Traxxis, you are both right on the money ,we use to do both. Tire contact patch to see if anything hanging off the frame was moved,bent. And the frame to see if anything was bent on it . We checked both when ever our race cars(circle track) got hit or went into the wall.We used a welded up jig to put them back in spec's,had pins that would drop into existing frame holes.Worked great!
Good Luck!
Kenny
Lost your job yet? Keep buying foreign

 

Wow!! Geniuses visit this site and give us info we can use!! Thanks guys!! I will use this info shortly and let you know what's up. ( I gave you reps for your good work.)

 

Where is mine???

Sorry Lowdown... I just got layed off from the PD last month... I guess I just want somebody to share the misery with.