Originally Posted by Dan3292

I am not sure if this will help or not but my real thing is to decide whether to keep stringing along my 96 or not. I took a picture of the radiator support, but was very difficult to photograph. Also, left and right spring towers as well as I could. The frame is looking a little crispy, but not like some I have seen on here where there are visible holes in the frame.

Again, any input appreciated. Thanks for previous replies.

Originally Posted by TheCollector

my 94 has not passed inspection in Maine for a few years now, and its always something stupid like my rear bed panel is rusted and somone can catch them self on it. personally i feel that if you touch my truck and get hurt good! dont touch my damn truck!

its a nice truck and radiatior supports and spring mounts are not all to tough of a repair. Im sure ill need one soon. in 5 more years my truck will be 25 years old and i can register it as an Antique and will never need to worry about stickers. I bought a 93 f150 and i got to say prices around Maine for the prices of a decent rust free ish f150 any year is around 5k min

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

My radiator support isn't even bolted to the frame. It just kinda floats there.

Originally Posted by memoniz

I don't think the original poster works on his own truck. He probably doesn't have that connection that most of us do that work on our own trucks have. My wife cried over giving up her Explorer when she got a Honda CRV. So I sold my van to help with the down payment and kept the Explorer. She's only been in it once in 2 years.

There's nothing wrong with that. Dependability is very important to me. But as fltdriver said, it "gives me a greater sense of ownership/accomplishment". And that makes me feel good.

And not having a monthly payment does too.

Originally Posted by Dan3292

So, I am thinking to break apart the two repair items: spring towers and radiator support, and maybe have the dealer do the spring towers if I supply him the parts and leave the body shop to do the radiator support. I can see a body shop doing the radiator support if it needs to be painted. I looked into there behind the grill and it is painted the body color, but with all the baffles in the way - I am not sure how much of it you can really see. But, suppose I let a body shop do that job. From my limited knowledge, the spring towers look to be a matter of drilling out some rivets and screwing in bolts instead - something I am not sure a body shop is required for. I called the dealer and they said they would do it with my supplied parts. I have had luck in the past with getting the dealer to install aftermarket parts. I am looking at Jeff's Bronco http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/c-...f150-f100.html at the two coil tower brackets - would I also want to get the hardware kit to go along with? I have never had the front shocks replaced, would this be a good time to do that as well and if so - where does someone buy shocks, Jeff's also or somewhere else? Mine are the dual type. I also noticed my radius arm brackets in about the same condition as the tower brackets. Is that worth doing as well, or no?

Originally Posted by TheCollector

Pon55 I do agree with the prices going up every year. the 9th generations are just getting to the 25 year mark for the Antique auto and classic bracket and most vehicles that are popular will go up in prices. My 94 has actually gone up in book value since i bought it lol

there getting harder to find for a good one and even less with low miles. they look great in my opinion I am a big fan of the 9th generation of the f150s just on looks alone.

For the OP Find a trusted Mechanic who does not mind walking you out to the truck and walk you through it telling you the dangers of the issue. if they are not willing to do that or it sounds like BS walk and get a second Opinion. I have a customer base because I am honest and I tell all of my Customers the same thing find a trusted mechanic.