Frame rust evaluation - is it worth keeping?

[swampyankee]

My poor '01 Ranger has been sitting neglected for the last few years, but I plan to return it to service. I've replaced the last of the rotted brake lines, but the frame has a fair amount of rust scale on it. Although one rear spring hanger looks like it was replaced prior to my ownership, the other one looks pretty sad. I can do that, along with other needs, including body rust repair, thermostat housing, and possibly timing chain tensioner. I'm on the fence about whether to fix it or find a better replacement. But every truck out there for sale has 180k miles or more, whereas mine has only 125k. I wouldn't mind working with the devil I know, but I would like to evaluate the frame to determine it's life expectancy and ultimately whether it's worth sinking money into.
Is there any definitive guide to evaluating a Ranger frame, and whether rust has weakened it beyond its useful life?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think there is some good info here on what rusts the most... and repair parts that are available.

1998 - 2003 Ford Ranger Rust Buster Frame Repair Kits

Rust Buster Frame Repair Kits are committed to keeping your 1998-2003 Ford Ranger on the road and running smooth. From Frame Rails, Frame Reinforcements and Frame Stiffeners, we have you covered.

www.rustbuster.com

 

[Shran]

Some pictures would be helpful for the rest of us to judge how bad it is.

 

[swampyankee]

I was thinking of getting underneath and knocking on the frame sections with a ball peen hammer to see how much scale falls off and how close the sections are to punching through. But then again, I was looking for pointers on how to go about that.

 

[Blmpkn]

I was thinking of getting underneath and knocking on the frame sections with a ball peen hammer to see how much scale falls off and how close the sections are to punching through. But then again, I was looking for pointers on how to go about that.

Oh pfft.. that's the easy part! Just get under there with something hard and wail on it all over the place

Your focus can pretty much be the back half of the frame. Rear of cab >>> rear bumper. Places where two slabs of steel are bolted/riveted together should be well scrutinized.. spring/shackle hangers, body mount brackets, etc.. crap can get caught between these things and the frame and rot from the inside out. Check out the condition of all the crossmembers on the frame AND on the bed.. check out wherever the gas tank straps hook into..


Bring your best fine tooth comb, and a good flashlight. It's not terribly difficult to determine if a Ranger is too rusty to bother with for the most part.

 

[ericbphoto]

Bring your best fine tooth comb, and a good flashlight. It's not terribly difficult to determine if a Ranger is too rusty to bother with for the most part.

Just don’t ask us southern guys to evaluate it. If it’s bad enough you’re thinking about hitting it with a hammer to check, we’d just scrap it and get another.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I was thinking of getting underneath and knocking on the frame sections with a ball peen hammer to see how much scale falls off and how close the sections are to punching through. But then again, I was looking for pointers on how to go about that.

That’s how the Finns do their vehicle inspections- take a hammer or screwdriver and start whacking structural bits under the car to check for rust damage

 

[racsan]

When you go to air-chiesel off your spare tire carrier & it rains rust , then frame rails look like cardboard that got shotgun fire, you need some new or at least better steel.
Clean good and por-15 it all once repaired.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Well ya know it’s bad if you have to air chisel out your spare!

 

[racsan]

I just didnt want the under-bed carrier, dads torch set was out of O2 so the air chiesel seemed to be the best tool to use.

 

[RobbieD]

Yikes! From the looks of the frame in your picture:

I just didnt want the under-bed carrier, dads torch set was out of O2 so the air chiesel dynamite seemed to be the best tool to use.

 

[racsan]

Yikes! From the looks of the frame in your picture:

hey- that was over 5 years ago and is still daily driven to this day. Ive had to patch one other spot, left side where shock bracket mount is.

 

[ericbphoto]

I just didnt want the under-bed carrier, dads torch set was out of O2 so the air chiesel seemed to be the best tool to use.

I think you could have just kicked it or looked at it real mean and it would have fallen off.

 

[racsan]

back bumper was barely hanging on, and it had a hitch ball on it. It was truly a junkyard dog when I bought it. Id love to find the kid I got it from & show him his old truck now.

 

[RobbieD]

hey- that was over 5 years ago and is still daily driven to this day. Ive had to patch one other spot, left side where shock bracket mount is.

Actually, I think that you did a damn good job salvaging what was left of that frame.