Frame differences
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 348
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From: Hemet, California
Frame differences
Was wondering if anyone knew of any differences in the frame between a 97 and 99 F-150. Mainly from the cab back. Was planning on drilling out the rivets and swapping the section out
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 348
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From: Hemet, California
That's what I'm hoping for, you just never know though. I pinched my frame pretty good where the bump stops mount for the rear end, I'm going to swap and box where the stops mount
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Having been a backyard mechanic for quite some time, I have spliced a few frame sections in and had great results, although my technique was "backyard".
I simply carefully cut the frames so there was a overlapping section on the sides where I could line up pre punched holes between the 2 frames , and used bolts to temporarily keep the 2 frames lined up exactly. I used an arc welder and welded up all the edges and then used a larger plate on the inside of the frame bridging across the splice.
The end result was a very strong splice and it saved the truck from the scrap yard . The truck was driven for several more years, and then sold with no issues or cracks ever developing. Alignment issues were none and the truck tracked as good as new.
A better way would be to replace the entire frame from an undamaged truck.
I simply carefully cut the frames so there was a overlapping section on the sides where I could line up pre punched holes between the 2 frames , and used bolts to temporarily keep the 2 frames lined up exactly. I used an arc welder and welded up all the edges and then used a larger plate on the inside of the frame bridging across the splice.
The end result was a very strong splice and it saved the truck from the scrap yard . The truck was driven for several more years, and then sold with no issues or cracks ever developing. Alignment issues were none and the truck tracked as good as new.
A better way would be to replace the entire frame from an undamaged truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 348
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From: Hemet, California
The beautiful part about it is that this era truck has an overlapping seam right about where the cab ends and the bed begins that is riveted together right out of the factory, not a solid piece from bumper to bumper. I was planning on drilling out the factory rivets holding the back half of the frame to the front half of the frame, swapping the new section in and bolting it together, then welding the new section in place. I'll post some pics showing my progress when I tear into it
