rust problems
Hi-Rev Motorsports
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,898
Likes: 65
From: Northern Indiana
I've had my 96' F150 XL for 3 years now and no complaints. Last year I had to replace a rear leaf spring bracket drivers side. Today I have to replace the other side. Had to replace some brake lines and front hoses. The shock/spring towers look pretty bad. What gives with the rust on the towers? I can understand the rear spring brackets.. road salt clinging to them.. is it the same with the towers.. tough spots for the salt to wash off? Or was this truck a shore truck or some parts didn't hold up to well to salt?
to keep prices low Ford uses the cheapest metals they can find...the frames and all frame parts are made from Mexican steel....which is more porous and will rust faster than American steel...then they are NOT fully Zinc dipped, again to save cost, and that alone will speed up the rusting time...
These trucks were several thousands cheaper than the GM counter parts...not just because GM is overly proud of their crap...because Ford used even cheaper materials to cut cost...
Ford is very much like the Walmart of the Auto industry if you can understand what that means....? if not search for the Sam Walton story...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Salt kills these trucks...not so much the fault of the truck as it is the metal used and the application of it....
to keep prices low Ford uses the cheapest metals they can find...the frames and all frame parts are made from Mexican steel....which is more porous and will rust faster than American steel...then they are NOT fully Zinc dipped, again to save cost, and that alone will speed up the rusting time...
These trucks were several thousands cheaper than the GM counter parts...not just because GM is overly proud of their crap...because Ford used even cheaper materials to cut cost...
Ford is very much like the Walmart of the Auto industry if you can understand what that means....? if not search for the Sam Walton story...
to keep prices low Ford uses the cheapest metals they can find...the frames and all frame parts are made from Mexican steel....which is more porous and will rust faster than American steel...then they are NOT fully Zinc dipped, again to save cost, and that alone will speed up the rusting time...
These trucks were several thousands cheaper than the GM counter parts...not just because GM is overly proud of their crap...because Ford used even cheaper materials to cut cost...
Ford is very much like the Walmart of the Auto industry if you can understand what that means....? if not search for the Sam Walton story...
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: LI NY
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: LI NY
I agree 100%; I keep some sheetmetal around to bang out easy parts but most parts are so reasonable it's not worth my time fabricating panels. I replaced that ugly floor (both sides) in my son's car for about $100. Of course that's for Chinese parts that needed some massaging to fit, but still a lot less work than doing my own and probably no $$ savings making them myself.