kickstand21

Hey all,

Need suggestions for what I can do here. I found out today my front fuel tank strap broke off. While I was inspecting it, I found that the cross member was so rotten, the strap came out (first pic).

I looked at the rear strap and the cross member doesn't look good either (second pic). I called around to every wrecker in my area and they don't have any F150's from 97-03.

I don't want to have to scrap my truck or sell it. I was planning on replacing the box in the next month or so before winter. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

white89gt

First thing I'd do is call your dealer, armed with your VIN, and ask them if your truck had a recall. There is a fuel tank strap recall on some of the trucks.

white89gt

Here's some info on it....

https://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2...ogle_news_blog

kickstand21

Called my dealership just now and they said it did have the recall on it but it was done back in 2011 already.

Was talking to a buddy of mine and we're thinking about just fabricating our own anchor for the straps or just use some 1/8" strapping and bolt it to the frame rail.

paker

While you are working on rusted underside, you may want to apply cold galvanizing spray. I am not sure if that's effective in your region, but here in the south without road salt, spraying zinc pretty much stops corrosion.

97f250ld

I've been where you are before, the best bet is to fabricate your own bracket. Be warned shortly after I did mine, I ended up have to repair most of my rear frame. I did all the cross members, and the frame behind the wheels. I say that so that you inspect the entire frame, cause once you start you can't stop

02_Black_On_White

Dear god that frame is f****ed

Bradley Tubbs

welcome to the north, lol.

dhansen

I had a local steel supplier bend up some frame rails and I fabricated all new cross members. Cut the rivets off at the front spring hangars and use frame bolts to connect the new frame members