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1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

Rust repair / patching on lower radiator support only

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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 12:21 PM
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Default Rust repair / patching on lower radiator support only

I'm a decent wrench turner but an abysmal body man, but this truck's budget calls for me to do some learning vs. me paying someone who already knows.

I just picked up this 03 and it has very little rust anywhere but the lower corners of the radiator support which look like the photos below.

Whole radiator supports are available but it doesn't seem like it should be necessary to replace the entire radiator support for this lower section. Has anyone seen weld-in lower sections or corners available? Or how would you approach fixing this?

Yes I know the A/C condenser needs to be addressed, just got this thing for a few hundred dollars it's getting the whole biz











For reference this is what the rest of the truck looks like, rust-wise.



(Rear inner fender)

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Old Jun 19, 2025 | 08:34 AM
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If it was mine I would replace it, especially if you are in the rust belt and plan to keep it.



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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 11:54 AM
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I could make this $500 truck a $50,000 truck real quick by just putting brand new everything in it, this is the only rust so I was hoping maybe somebody knew of cut-and-weld patch panels like these, but for the lower radiator mount:



Maybe I'll just spend the $250+ on a new radiator support.. seems a lot of perfectly good steel to replace for those isolated spots of rust.
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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 01:59 PM
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If parts were available to patch the radiator support, you would probably need to pull it out anyway. Then spend all that time cutting, fitting, grinding, welding, etc., then reinstall.

Much easier to bolt a new one in. Prime, undercoat, rustproof, and in a few hours its done.
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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 03:55 PM
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I paid less than 100 for my radiator support.


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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by white89gt
I paid less than 100 for my radiator support.
Thank you for the reply, you wouldn't happen to remember where you got it or have any idea where that might be possible in 2025 would you?

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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 08:36 PM
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It was possible in 2024... that was just last summer. I got the rad support from my Certifit dealer in Salt Lake.

https://www.certifit.com/

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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 08:39 PM
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Looks like about a 11 hour round trip drive to the nearest dealer for me. Ah well, thanks for the heads up!
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Old Jun 20, 2025 | 08:41 PM
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I would call around locally and see if anyone stocks it. Certifit isn't my only choice, but they are right by work, so it's easier for me.
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