tonyamado44

Builders, I am original owner of a 2001 F150 supercrew 2wd. It has 98000 miles and runs fine. But salted roads here in Western New York State have taken its toll on the frame. Rusted parts on frame will probably not pass state inspection.

I like the truck and prefere its size to the new models. I use it three seasons to haul grand daughters horse and brush on land. I put on 6000 miles a year. So I will consider restoration. I will not do the work but hire it out.

But I need some guidance: Anyone familiar with a "punch list" "inventory" to guide my evaluation of what needs to be done mechanically and body/frame. If I had this, I could price it out.

Of course, I know what has been repaired. I just do not know how to anticipate what is likely to fail.

Steve@Tasca

I'm not aware of any sort of list but Tasca has the best prices on OEM parts.

Any pics of the truck and the problem areas? This might sound dumb from a guy that's here to sell you parts but have you considered simply buying a rust free Southern or dry state truck to replace the rusted one?

sportster07

Sounds like what I've done with my 97. Watch out though, stuff gets expensive awfully fast. One minute your in $2000, the next your in over $13,000. Remember to keep all receipts of work done and parts you buy incase you ever go to sell, although you will never get back half of what you put in.

The first thing I had done was had my frame plated from where the back wheels are back to the end. I had heard a lot of horror stories about them letting go there so I had it done before there were any problems. I also just replaced the entire box instead of doing the body work, a southern box makes a world of difference. Also, buy OEM quality parts please. Lesser stuff is junk.

tonyamado44

Thank you,

What do you mean "you had the frame plated." Did you have the shop grind off the rust and what, rust-proof?

I brought the truck to a frame shop. The strut that supports radiator must be replaced. 900.00. But the rusted frame at the stableizer is good. Rusted but good.

He will replace rocker panels and the radiator struts for 2,000. But I do not know if there are other faults under the truck. Once it is on the lift, I will inspect.

First, I will deliver to mechanic to check out operating systems: electrical, brakes, compression, suspension. I'll wait on the body/frame work until I have this assessment done.

sportster07

I was told the frame was looking a bit soft at the back section on one side, right around where the back shackle meets the frame so I had them make me a new frame from about a foot ahead all the way back to the tail end. I also had a section put in towards the front, drivers side where the front end meets the frame rails. I wanted the truck to be extra sturdy and I didn't want to put a ton of money into something just for it to be a peice of junk.

Check your cross members, cab mounts and a few other little things like that. I live where they use heavy road salt so a lot of things had to be replaced. You could probably get away without spending all the money right now but if you have it done right now, it'll save you a lot of headaches later down the road to just do it right.

tonyamado44

Did you have the frame sprayed with an abrasive and then coated?

No stranger to salt here in Rochester NY. I have the truck with mechanic now. He will evaluate for mechanical integrity and forecast necessary replacements, repair up top.

The radiator support is gutted and I suspect the cab support. Frame work will be scheduled later this month.

sportster07

I'm not 100% sure what they used to blast the frame with, I never did it myself. It has a polyurethane based paint on it now and it's well oiled. The rad support seems to be the first thing to go in these trucks.

I regret not going to the shop and getting pictures taken as mine was being done. It would have made a cool thread on here and would have been cool to see. If I did it all over again, I'd have pictures more then just a before and after pic.

tonyamado44

I presented the truck to my mechanic for a thorough review. He suggests that the frame is too far gone to bother with the expense. He detailed the faults. Was your truck in better shape? Are you concerned that parts, not replaced, will continue to rust through?

Here is his list:

*rear brakes backing plates rusted out, *exhaust studs rotted away, *radiator core support rotted away, * swaybar bracket broken, * rear frame rotted away at spring mounting, *bed supports rusted away/not safe.

Sounds to me that a trip to the Southland is in order. What do you think?
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