Hi everyone long time lurker but my first post so sorry if formatting is bad. I've had my 03 f150 for over a year now and being a new england truck it pretty rusty the rockers are really bad but surprisingly the frame is in really good shape with only minor surface rust in some spots. When i got the truck i did brakes and noticed a small rust hole on this protrusion coming of the frame on both the drivers and passenger side and didn't think to much of it. today i had my wheels off to check out my wheel bearings and noticed it has gotten significantly worse on the passenger side. I was hoping if anyone could tell me what the purpose of this protrusion is and how big of a problem this is, and maybe a solution so it doesn't get worse. Where it attaches to the frame still seems solid though. Thanks in advanced for any help on this.

 

I believe that's a suspension stop for the lower control arm. I imagine that if you're sure the rest of the frame is in good shape, it wouldn't be a bad idea to weld a new stop there

 

Thanks that makes sense, do you know if i could buy a replacement or would i have to fabricate one?

 

My 05 was nowhere near this bad but had holes under the front welded leaf spring perches from sand and grit sitting in there and holding moisture. I drove it for maybe another year and sold it. This is substantially worse and will not last that long. If he hits a pothole on the highway and that thing buckles its going to be a very bad day for him or someone else.