Hard to part with my 96 XLT - should I?
04-03-2014, 07:21 AM
#41
Senior Member
140000 on mine. Gona replace them soon as the new ones get here.
04-03-2014, 10:15 AM
#42
mattbarron94
04-07-2014, 11:42 PM
#45
Member
Thread Starter
Still out here struggling with the spring tower replacement and radiator support issues. But first, some interesting thinking...
I have been to three independent body shops for estimates up here in Bucks County, Pa. and although they all smile sweetly while they inspect the projects at hand, I never hear back from them again. They don't want the job!
The only shops I can force into doing the job are the Ford dealer (who failed me) or the dealer's body shop.
The Ford dealer:
Once I had convinced the dealer that the spring tower project was basically a "nut and bolt job" once they got the original ones off, they conceded that they would do it for $1200 if I supplied the new spring tower brackets + new shocks or $1600 if they supplied the shocks. Apparently, Ford cannot acquire OEM spring tower brackets themselves, so I would have to supply aftermarket ones to them in any case.
The dealer's body shop:
I was quoted a bulk estimate of $2500 for both the spring tower replacement and the radiator support replacement with them supplying the aftermarket parts, however I was cautioned that the estimate was subject to revisions depending on what they might find. I have at least placed myself into their queue for end of April. I can still back out of doing it or change the scope of the project closer to the date.
I have stared at the spring towers myself now for days and days trying to figure out what parts to give to the Ford dealer if I should choose that option. I guess the old springs are still salvageable, the shocks look shot, not sure about the brackets that connect the shocks to the arm.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, in the meantime I have gone out looking at new 2013-14 F150's reg cab 4X4 longbeds which are as rare as hen's teeth. Bear in mind that my current vehicle has a startlingly visible 2015 emissions sticker, but a soon-to-expire 2014 safety sticker. PA requires two matched stickers side-by-side. The mis-matched stickers stick out like a sore thumb.
I went to a dealer in North Jersey over the weekend to look at two candidates. I was initially offered a paltry $1500 trade-in for my current vehicle, but after merely hinting at selling my vehicle privately on eBay, they upped the trade-in to $5000. Some room for negotiation in regard to the trade-in...
In the end, I have to say I am not that impressed with the current line-up and prices, so I left without taking the bait. $32K-$35K seems like a lot of money to me still. I happily drove home in my old 96.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It always surprises me that I drive over the river into Jersey and see hundreds of my vintage truck around and think they all must have the same problems as mine (actually I see quite a lot in PA as well). It didn't occur to me until just now that NJ discontinued it's state inspection program in 2010, so they don't care! No wonder that dealer over the weekend seemed unphased about my mis-matched PA stickers - it doesn't matter.
I was just doing some research and only 12 states require annual state safety inspections. In essence, they can condemn a vehicle to death. I guess I am thinking to take the dealer up on the $1200 estimate to do the spring tower replacement by supplying the shock towers brackets with my own shocks.
I somehow think that I can convince the dealer to back down on the radiator support issue if I get the shock towers fixed. Nobody seems to be able to even determine what is required. None of the three independent body shops seemed too sure what to do. I sure as h-ll can't figure it out. I have stared up at it, down into it, pulled gaskets back. I can't see how that radiator is in any danger of falling off.
So for all of you in those states who do not require state safety inspections, consider yourself lucky. Pennsy's arrangement makes it so that you have to constantly reconsider if you are able to keep your vintage truck or not..
I have been to three independent body shops for estimates up here in Bucks County, Pa. and although they all smile sweetly while they inspect the projects at hand, I never hear back from them again. They don't want the job!
The only shops I can force into doing the job are the Ford dealer (who failed me) or the dealer's body shop.
The Ford dealer:
Once I had convinced the dealer that the spring tower project was basically a "nut and bolt job" once they got the original ones off, they conceded that they would do it for $1200 if I supplied the new spring tower brackets + new shocks or $1600 if they supplied the shocks. Apparently, Ford cannot acquire OEM spring tower brackets themselves, so I would have to supply aftermarket ones to them in any case.
The dealer's body shop:
I was quoted a bulk estimate of $2500 for both the spring tower replacement and the radiator support replacement with them supplying the aftermarket parts, however I was cautioned that the estimate was subject to revisions depending on what they might find. I have at least placed myself into their queue for end of April. I can still back out of doing it or change the scope of the project closer to the date.
I have stared at the spring towers myself now for days and days trying to figure out what parts to give to the Ford dealer if I should choose that option. I guess the old springs are still salvageable, the shocks look shot, not sure about the brackets that connect the shocks to the arm.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, in the meantime I have gone out looking at new 2013-14 F150's reg cab 4X4 longbeds which are as rare as hen's teeth. Bear in mind that my current vehicle has a startlingly visible 2015 emissions sticker, but a soon-to-expire 2014 safety sticker. PA requires two matched stickers side-by-side. The mis-matched stickers stick out like a sore thumb.
I went to a dealer in North Jersey over the weekend to look at two candidates. I was initially offered a paltry $1500 trade-in for my current vehicle, but after merely hinting at selling my vehicle privately on eBay, they upped the trade-in to $5000. Some room for negotiation in regard to the trade-in...
In the end, I have to say I am not that impressed with the current line-up and prices, so I left without taking the bait. $32K-$35K seems like a lot of money to me still. I happily drove home in my old 96.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It always surprises me that I drive over the river into Jersey and see hundreds of my vintage truck around and think they all must have the same problems as mine (actually I see quite a lot in PA as well). It didn't occur to me until just now that NJ discontinued it's state inspection program in 2010, so they don't care! No wonder that dealer over the weekend seemed unphased about my mis-matched PA stickers - it doesn't matter.
I was just doing some research and only 12 states require annual state safety inspections. In essence, they can condemn a vehicle to death. I guess I am thinking to take the dealer up on the $1200 estimate to do the spring tower replacement by supplying the shock towers brackets with my own shocks.
I somehow think that I can convince the dealer to back down on the radiator support issue if I get the shock towers fixed. Nobody seems to be able to even determine what is required. None of the three independent body shops seemed too sure what to do. I sure as h-ll can't figure it out. I have stared up at it, down into it, pulled gaskets back. I can't see how that radiator is in any danger of falling off.
So for all of you in those states who do not require state safety inspections, consider yourself lucky. Pennsy's arrangement makes it so that you have to constantly reconsider if you are able to keep your vintage truck or not..
Last edited by Dan3292; 04-08-2014 at 12:00 AM.
04-08-2014, 07:23 AM
#46
Senior Member
I'm sure there is someone out there that will fix for you and do it right. If you have no confidence in a mechanic, then go somewhere else. I think they are not telling you exactly what needs to be done because that way they can set up up for more replacement that might not be necessary. I have a brother-in-law that is a part owner in a dealership and he has told me the bulk of the money they make is in repairs. I've always said a good honest mechanic is worth his weight in gold, and that's coming from a construction guy.
04-08-2014, 08:32 AM
#47
mattbarron94
- look for dealerships that are located in very rural areas, the typical truck sold in rural areas are work trucks. So the factories send more work truck type vehicles to those dealerships. Thats why if you go to a Dallas ford dealership there are plenty of nice 4 door shortbox 4x4's platinums, king ranch's, and lariats available, but you'll be lucky if you can find 1 single cab. But I can go into the sherman dealership and see plenty of singe cab and XL/ XLT models lined up.
- you can go to any Ford dealership and get a f150 custom built how you want it. Of course it costs extra, and you have the good month/ month and a half untill it gets to you because it has to be built at the factory. But if you are that desperate to get a singe cab long bed 4x4, you might have to go the custom route.
Hope this helps.
04-09-2014, 12:29 AM
#49
Still out here struggling with the spring tower replacement and radiator support issues. But first, some interesting thinking...
I have been to three independent body shops for estimates up here in Bucks County, Pa. and although they all smile sweetly while they inspect the projects at hand, I never hear back from them again. They don't want the job!
The only shops I can force into doing the job are the Ford dealer (who failed me) or the dealer's body shop.
The Ford dealer:
Once I had convinced the dealer that the spring tower project was basically a "nut and bolt job" once they got the original ones off, they conceded that they would do it for $1200 if I supplied the new spring tower brackets + new shocks or $1600 if they supplied the shocks. Apparently, Ford cannot acquire OEM spring tower brackets themselves, so I would have to supply aftermarket ones to them in any case.
The dealer's body shop:
I was quoted a bulk estimate of $2500 for both the spring tower replacement and the radiator support replacement with them supplying the aftermarket parts, however I was cautioned that the estimate was subject to revisions depending on what they might find. I have at least placed myself into their queue for end of April. I can still back out of doing it or change the scope of the project closer to the date.
I have stared at the spring towers myself now for days and days trying to figure out what parts to give to the Ford dealer if I should choose that option. I guess the old springs are still salvageable, the shocks look shot, not sure about the brackets that connect the shocks to the arm.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, in the meantime I have gone out looking at new 2013-14 F150's reg cab 4X4 longbeds which are as rare as hen's teeth. Bear in mind that my current vehicle has a startlingly visible 2015 emissions sticker, but a soon-to-expire 2014 safety sticker. PA requires two matched stickers side-by-side. The mis-matched stickers stick out like a sore thumb.
I went to a dealer in North Jersey over the weekend to look at two candidates. I was initially offered a paltry $1500 trade-in for my current vehicle, but after merely hinting at selling my vehicle privately on eBay, they upped the trade-in to $5000. Some room for negotiation in regard to the trade-in...
In the end, I have to say I am not that impressed with the current line-up and prices, so I left without taking the bait. $32K-$35K seems like a lot of money to me still. I happily drove home in my old 96.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It always surprises me that I drive over the river into Jersey and see hundreds of my vintage truck around and think they all must have the same problems as mine (actually I see quite a lot in PA as well). It didn't occur to me until just now that NJ discontinued it's state inspection program in 2010, so they don't care! No wonder that dealer over the weekend seemed unphased about my mis-matched PA stickers - it doesn't matter.
I was just doing some research and only 12 states require annual state safety inspections. In essence, they can condemn a vehicle to death. I guess I am thinking to take the dealer up on the $1200 estimate to do the spring tower replacement by supplying the shock towers brackets with my own shocks.
I somehow think that I can convince the dealer to back down on the radiator support issue if I get the shock towers fixed. Nobody seems to be able to even determine what is required. None of the three independent body shops seemed too sure what to do. I sure as h-ll can't figure it out. I have stared up at it, down into it, pulled gaskets back. I can't see how that radiator is in any danger of falling off.
So for all of you in those states who do not require state safety inspections, consider yourself lucky. Pennsy's arrangement makes it so that you have to constantly reconsider if you are able to keep your vintage truck or not..
I have been to three independent body shops for estimates up here in Bucks County, Pa. and although they all smile sweetly while they inspect the projects at hand, I never hear back from them again. They don't want the job!
The only shops I can force into doing the job are the Ford dealer (who failed me) or the dealer's body shop.
The Ford dealer:
Once I had convinced the dealer that the spring tower project was basically a "nut and bolt job" once they got the original ones off, they conceded that they would do it for $1200 if I supplied the new spring tower brackets + new shocks or $1600 if they supplied the shocks. Apparently, Ford cannot acquire OEM spring tower brackets themselves, so I would have to supply aftermarket ones to them in any case.
The dealer's body shop:
I was quoted a bulk estimate of $2500 for both the spring tower replacement and the radiator support replacement with them supplying the aftermarket parts, however I was cautioned that the estimate was subject to revisions depending on what they might find. I have at least placed myself into their queue for end of April. I can still back out of doing it or change the scope of the project closer to the date.
I have stared at the spring towers myself now for days and days trying to figure out what parts to give to the Ford dealer if I should choose that option. I guess the old springs are still salvageable, the shocks look shot, not sure about the brackets that connect the shocks to the arm.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, in the meantime I have gone out looking at new 2013-14 F150's reg cab 4X4 longbeds which are as rare as hen's teeth. Bear in mind that my current vehicle has a startlingly visible 2015 emissions sticker, but a soon-to-expire 2014 safety sticker. PA requires two matched stickers side-by-side. The mis-matched stickers stick out like a sore thumb.
I went to a dealer in North Jersey over the weekend to look at two candidates. I was initially offered a paltry $1500 trade-in for my current vehicle, but after merely hinting at selling my vehicle privately on eBay, they upped the trade-in to $5000. Some room for negotiation in regard to the trade-in...
In the end, I have to say I am not that impressed with the current line-up and prices, so I left without taking the bait. $32K-$35K seems like a lot of money to me still. I happily drove home in my old 96.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It always surprises me that I drive over the river into Jersey and see hundreds of my vintage truck around and think they all must have the same problems as mine (actually I see quite a lot in PA as well). It didn't occur to me until just now that NJ discontinued it's state inspection program in 2010, so they don't care! No wonder that dealer over the weekend seemed unphased about my mis-matched PA stickers - it doesn't matter.
I was just doing some research and only 12 states require annual state safety inspections. In essence, they can condemn a vehicle to death. I guess I am thinking to take the dealer up on the $1200 estimate to do the spring tower replacement by supplying the shock towers brackets with my own shocks.
I somehow think that I can convince the dealer to back down on the radiator support issue if I get the shock towers fixed. Nobody seems to be able to even determine what is required. None of the three independent body shops seemed too sure what to do. I sure as h-ll can't figure it out. I have stared up at it, down into it, pulled gaskets back. I can't see how that radiator is in any danger of falling off.
So for all of you in those states who do not require state safety inspections, consider yourself lucky. Pennsy's arrangement makes it so that you have to constantly reconsider if you are able to keep your vintage truck or not..
I honestly think you're getting taken advantage of here, take the time to clean these areas up, remove the scale and rust, and simply give them a coat of paint. Remove your front shocks so you can clean and prep those areas better, then bolt on shiny new shocks afterward. The hardest thing will be removing the original shocks as the bolts will be rusty. After that, roll into a new inspection facility like you own the place and get it inspected.
I've seen way worse trucks than yours and from your pictures this is nothing more than a cosmetic issue. 2 front shocks, a couple of wire brushes, some rust inhibiter a couple of cans of spray paint should run you less than a $150 bucks. It's an easy job to do yourself and I honestly think these guys are trying to rip you off off. Find a new inspection facility.
04-09-2014, 03:01 PM
#50
Member
Thread Starter
A new development... That 3rd independent body shop finally came through with a labor estimate of $750 for the spring towers and radiator support if I supply the parts.
I just ordered a whole slew of parts from Jeff's BG - maybe I could have found some of them cheaper, but I'm tired of searching night after night looking through parts diagrams, so they got my order.
Spring Tower, left double shock
Spring Tower, right double shock
Coil Spring Tower hardware kit (2)
Radius Arm Shock Bracket Lower (2) - these look very rusty to me
Lower Coil Spring Stud (2) w/ nuts - not sure if needed
Upper Coil Spring Retainer (2) - not sure if needed
Radiator Core Support
Radiator Core Support Mounting Kit
Radiator Core Support Frame Mount Bracket (2)
I ended up going back over to the Ford dealer yesterday to confirm that what they were talking about with regard to the radiator support is that whole assembly that goes across the front. They agreed. The body shop also mentioned to get bottom bolts and bushings to go with the rad support, so I ordered them also. I also settled on some pretty basic KYB shocks (4) for the new spring towers.
I am remembering that that last body shop was talking about just installing the rad support "as is" without further painting. The part pictured on JBG shows it in black, I suppose that is just primer. I wonder if I could just go out and get a couple of cans of silver spray paint and paint it myself before giving it over to the body shop for installation? Worth doing or no?
I have watched about every video or thread on spring tower replacements out there and everyone seemed to struggle with the stupid brake clips where the brakelines thread through the spring towers. Are those fittings stock parts that the body shop will have around or something I have to pre-order for him?
I just really do not have the ability or the setting to do any of these repairs myself. The truck is parked in a driveway which is not close to the house, out on a busy road - no garage, handy electric source or air compressor. I can't leave it in an unassembled state overnight and the nearest parts store is about 20 mi. away if I get into trouble.
I will report back on how this goes.
I just ordered a whole slew of parts from Jeff's BG - maybe I could have found some of them cheaper, but I'm tired of searching night after night looking through parts diagrams, so they got my order.
Spring Tower, left double shock
Spring Tower, right double shock
Coil Spring Tower hardware kit (2)
Radius Arm Shock Bracket Lower (2) - these look very rusty to me
Lower Coil Spring Stud (2) w/ nuts - not sure if needed
Upper Coil Spring Retainer (2) - not sure if needed
Radiator Core Support
Radiator Core Support Mounting Kit
Radiator Core Support Frame Mount Bracket (2)
I ended up going back over to the Ford dealer yesterday to confirm that what they were talking about with regard to the radiator support is that whole assembly that goes across the front. They agreed. The body shop also mentioned to get bottom bolts and bushings to go with the rad support, so I ordered them also. I also settled on some pretty basic KYB shocks (4) for the new spring towers.
I am remembering that that last body shop was talking about just installing the rad support "as is" without further painting. The part pictured on JBG shows it in black, I suppose that is just primer. I wonder if I could just go out and get a couple of cans of silver spray paint and paint it myself before giving it over to the body shop for installation? Worth doing or no?
I have watched about every video or thread on spring tower replacements out there and everyone seemed to struggle with the stupid brake clips where the brakelines thread through the spring towers. Are those fittings stock parts that the body shop will have around or something I have to pre-order for him?
I just really do not have the ability or the setting to do any of these repairs myself. The truck is parked in a driveway which is not close to the house, out on a busy road - no garage, handy electric source or air compressor. I can't leave it in an unassembled state overnight and the nearest parts store is about 20 mi. away if I get into trouble.
I will report back on how this goes.
