busted frame
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
busted frame
I have a '90 F-150 beater that I picked up cheap. It was used as a plow truck and has a busted frame on the right front side right where the r/f brake line goes through the frame. Keep it or junk it is my problem. Lots of new parts on it and I'm going to need a 4x4 truck come winter. Any idea what the cost of repair will be? I discovered it had busted when I had a sudden brake failure due to the r/f brake line shearing, fortunately on a back road so I could coax it back home.
So keep it or junk it???
So keep it or junk it???
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Could likely find yourself a decent welder dude to plate her back up...good to go.
I had an old decrepit Dodge short/wide....and it's frame busted off in front of the steering gear box. Not to mention the frame was cracked up bad underneath the steering gear.
I used a section of Dodge frame off a scrapped truck and plated/welded it on in front of the suspension. Got rid of all the cracks with a section of old frame. Probably not an 'approved' repair....but otherwise the machine was junkyard fodder.
I would think that if the frame's broken area was where it could be reached fairly easy, a good welder could fix it in a jiffy.
I had an old decrepit Dodge short/wide....and it's frame busted off in front of the steering gear box. Not to mention the frame was cracked up bad underneath the steering gear.
I used a section of Dodge frame off a scrapped truck and plated/welded it on in front of the suspension. Got rid of all the cracks with a section of old frame. Probably not an 'approved' repair....but otherwise the machine was junkyard fodder.
I would think that if the frame's broken area was where it could be reached fairly easy, a good welder could fix it in a jiffy.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Beverly
Personally I'd fix it if it were mine. But then I have a welder and can weld so it would only cost me a few bucks to fix it. I would check with your local laws as to whether it would be legal to do so, some states won't allow such repairs. The cost of your fix depends greatly on where it cracked do to the numerous items that may have to be taken of to make the repair. Any competent welder should be able to repair it but you may end up with a farm truck not a highway truck due to local inspection laws. I'd definitely check those out before putting money into a repair.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,320
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From: CT
Sounds like my truck. I picked up a 91 f250 with plow. Was cheap. The frame is rusted in one spot and everything else looks solid frame wise munis rust scale. I'm checking with the welding place across the street next friday and have it welded up. Then i'm getting all the scale of and coating it with kbs coating which is like por-15 so i know it's solid for time to come.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Sounds like my truck. I picked up a 91 f250 with plow. Was cheap. The frame is rusted in one spot and everything else looks solid frame wise munis rust scale. I'm checking with the welding place across the street next friday and have it welded up. Then i'm getting all the scale of and coating it with kbs coating which is like por-15 so i know it's solid for time to come.
Have fun!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Willow Grove, PA
First what are your abilities to do this repair. Second what friends do you have that can do this repair. Third what are the DMV laws/codes for safety/inspection in your area. Fourth what will it cost you to hire someone to do the job. In that order answer thes questions. If you or your friend can repair and keep quiet so be it, but if you have to pay someone then what are the "legal" options.
I'd fix it and keep my eye out for another "parts" truck or frame.
I'd fix it and keep my eye out for another "parts" truck or frame.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Calverton
I would repair and keep it for the winter, then junk it in the spring. I have a welder machine , but you also could sandwich the break with some 1/4 steel channel stock, drill and bolt using a dozen 1/2" bolts. I would give her a larger over lap, say 12 inches or better, each side of the break if possible.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Willow Grove, PA
Another thing you should do is drill a hole 1/8" to 3/16" at the end of each crack. This should help strop the crack from traveling further prior to welding it up. You could plate it like others suggest w/ plug welds, just make sure the plate doesn't have sharp edges or corners. I'd weld the ends solid w/ a series of shorter stich welds.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
just keep in mind that after plating and using stich and plug welds your frame will actually be stronger than anywhere else on the truck. You can also plate the area as well as "boxing" the fram at that point... Boxing is where you make a full rectangle out of the frame so it doesn't have an open side.
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