Tackle

That looks like a losing battle. I would fix or have fixed any structual problems and call it a day. Metal rusts. It's the way of life.

allinon72

You can replace the back half of the frame. If you look around the front leaf hangers, you'll see a bunch of rivets. Grind those rivets and the entire back half of the frame will slide out. My dad and I just did it to his truck.

ibd2328

iTrader: (2)

This true. And that is probably the weakest part of the truck, so its a good idea.

Kid with a truck

por 15 sounds like a good idea.

I'd like to keep the truck for a long time and do the zf5 swap like you corey.

Where did you get the rear frame rails? a donor truck or can we buy replacements? That would be the wisest idea I think.

allinon72

First - that frame is ok except for the giant holes, which are a structural issue that you don't want to just cover up with POR15. For the frame replacement, a junkyard is the easiest place. Many will simply cut the back half of the frame off for you.

Kid with a truck

sounds good, the holes in the cab mount I shouldn't have any problem welding up with some new sheet metal.

Living in PA, I will do my best finding some clean rails or maybe see whats down south when Im there later in summer.

It's hard working on this truck when im in college but Im done for the year in two weeks and I will be replacing the core support and fixing those holes!

Thanks for the advice guys, Ill update this thread later on

Zrock

the only holes i see are in the bead x member. that's really not structural except for supporting the bed. new ones can be bought cheep no point in going scrapyard for those.

i see no reason to be replacing frame sections. even with that big chunk of rust.. looks worse than it is.. i had a frame that had that buldge of rust. once i scraped it off their was lots of metal. it was just a combination of water expanding the rust and dirt..

scrape and pressure wash frame and por 15 it.. it will be good. don't wire brush off all the rust as its sticks better to rust. i did a frame 15 years ago in my toyota and it is still about 95% needs a few touch ups

allinon72

After looking at the pics again you are right. However, I would really check around the rear shackle area good. Also drop the spare and look at the crossmember area. These are the two worst areas/

Zrock

u wanna see rot.. seen one at the scrap yard. body looked awesome went underneath 1/2 of the rear suspension was welded to the box both shocks and springs... no frame left

Kid with a truck

sounds good guys. Ill clean her up and paint it with the por15.

the hole is on the rib piece on far back of cab. the bed is new so I think I will take it off and try to get to it without raising the cab for replacing. Know the whereabouts by chance of where I can get that replacement piece?