Need new entire frame for 2001 Ford Ranger extended or doublecab XLT v8 swapped What are my options?

[Thedrill]

Just my 2 cents... From what I saw of the frame there was NO rot only some very minor surface rust that would scotchbrite off (this is a California truck that did not live by the sea or any salt)
It could be fixed fairly easily, two shops did not see anything wrong with it and complimented it... the last FRAME shop condemned it to hell and I'm sure they would love your hard-earned money. If it's a crack due to an overloaded bed that got slightly bent on the rear half of the unboxed Jello frame ...I can fix it for you ..Free of Charge.. because I feel bad that I did not notice a crack in the frame.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Just my 2 cents... From what I saw of the frame there was NO rot only some very minor surface rust that would scotchbrite off (this is a California truck that did not live by the sea or any salt)
It could be fixed fairly easily, two shops did not see anything wrong with it and complimented it... the last FRAME shop condemned it to hell and I'm sure they would love your hard-earned money. If it's a crack due to an overloaded bed that got slightly bent on the rear half of the unboxed Jello frame ...I can fix it for you ..Free of Charge.. because I feel bad that I did not notice a crack in the frame.

I was curious about the rust too being a cali truck.

I live in MI and have an 87 ranger, an 86 B2 and a 97 F250, none of them have frame rust even remotely worrisome

 

[Thedrill]

There is NONE... they are just over dramatizing the situation to frighten Kevin to pay out for something he does not need...what do they do in the mid-west with all the rust and frame corrosion... buy a new frame every time? No they repair or put in a new section.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

There is NONE... they are just over dramatizing the situation to frighten Kevin to pay out for something he does not need...what do they do in the mid-west with all the rust and frame corrosion... buy a new frame every time? No they repair or put in a new section.

Or we just run em lol.

My brother in laws YJ is bascially a complete frame patch job

 

[SlugStang8997]

Well i called them and got no answer and there machine box is full...So then i called again and got a hold of the Boss.
They said the frame is diamond were it should be boxed and the bend is off by 5 inchs...in the back. So it is bent 5 inchs...or is 5 inches down and welded... from what i understood. So it is bent 5 inches down and is welded

Is 5 inches alot? Its a 5 inch bend then so the frame is down 5 inches. I don't know the rules of pulling frames? But can that be pulled or would it be safe to pull that? Or would you want to replace that?

So say the frame is bent about 5 inches do you replace that or do you pull that?

 

[Thedrill]

I've been driving my daughter to school in that truck every day for months and felt safe at freeway speeds... the body shop is trying their best at making you pay...
Stevie Wonder could see 5 inches of frame damage, no way... nothing would line up... maybe 5cm.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I've been driving my daughter to school in that truck every day for months and felt safe at freeway speeds... the body shop is trying their best at making you pay...
Stevie Wonder could see 5 inches of frame damage, no way... nothing would line up... maybe 5cm.

Thanks for your reply
Maybe they are trying to sell me a frame job......

 

[franklin2]

Some people think the frame on a vehicle is some sort of holy grail and should not be repaired or modified. You do need to know a little bit about what you are doing, but if you want more confidence in frame repair, just go to youtube and search Jeep frame repair. You would not believe how those things rust, and you can look on Amazon, they sell kits to plate the frame to repair it. They do it all the time with no problems.

Looking at one of those rusted Jeep frames should make you feel much better about your Ranger frame.

 

[SlugStang8997]

Some people think the frame on a vehicle is some sort of holy grail and should not be repaired or modified. You do need to know a little bit about what you are doing, but if you want more confidence in frame repair, just go to youtube and search Jeep frame repair. You would not believe how those things rust, and you can look on Amazon, they sell kits to plate the frame to repair it. They do it all the time with no problems.

Looking at one of those rusted Jeep frames should make you feel much better about your Ranger frame.

Thanks for your reply
I will check out those jeeps frame videos.
I just want to fix the truck and do what needs to be done...but at the end of the day its just a truck u know...
I got to go to the dentist today... So maybe i will post again later..

 

[SlugStang8997]

So after some consideration...The frame is damaged for sure...The extent of the damage is now in question again. 5

Just my 2 cents... From what I saw of the frame there was NO rot only some very minor surface rust that would scotchbrite off (this is a California truck that did not live by the sea or any salt)
It could be fixed fairly easily, two shops did not see anything wrong with it and complimented it... the last FRAME shop condemned it to hell and I'm sure they would love your hard-earned money. If it's a crack due to an overloaded bed that got slightly bent on the rear half of the unboxed Jello frame ...I can fix it for you ..Free of Charge.. because I feel bad that I did not notice a crack in the frame.

Thanks for your reply
Don't feel bad about the crack nobodies perfect. You did a great job on the truck otherwise. And i think the previous owner before you is responsible for not disclosing the frame damage to you. So I will figure it out... what to do about it.
Remember i was trying to save money by not putting the air bag in the steering wheel LOL

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

or those stupid ass 12 foot wide 8 mile long timing chain cammer fords

So… the 4.0 SOHC?

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Some people think the frame on a vehicle is some sort of holy grail and should not be repaired or modified. You do need to know a little bit about what you are doing, but if you want more confidence in frame repair, just go to youtube and search Jeep frame repair. You would not believe how those things rust, and you can look on Amazon, they sell kits to plate the frame to repair it. They do it all the time with no problems.

Looking at one of those rusted Jeep frames should make you feel much better about your Ranger frame.

Semi trucks are also a good example of this. It is almost always cheaper to repair it than to replace it. Sadly frame bending and repair, especially on the HD side, is a dying art and it is hard to find people who do it. But it can be done, and if done well it is just as good if not better than factory. Even trucks that you wouldn’t think are remotely salvageable can be made straight as an arrow by the right guy.

 

[pentode]

Well i called them and got no answer and there machine box is full...So then i called again and got a hold of the Boss.
They said the frame is diamond were it should be boxed and the bend is off by 5 inchs...in the back. So it is bent 5 inchs...or is 5 inches down and welded... from what i understood. So it is bent 5 inches down and is welded

Is 5 inches alot? Its a 5 inch bend then so the frame is down 5 inches. I don't know the rules of pulling frames? But can that be pulled or would it be safe to pull that? Or would you want to replace that?

So say the frame is bent about 5 inches do you replace that or do you pull that?

I've been driving my daughter to school in that truck every day for months and felt safe at freeway speeds... the body shop is trying their best at making you pay...
Stevie Wonder could see 5 inches of frame damage, no way... nothing would line up... maybe 5cm.

A bend over a 5 inch span maybe? A repair that measures 5 inches from end to end? No way a truck is driving down the road straight with a frame 5 inches out.

 

[SlugStang8997]

A bend over a 5 inch span maybe? A repair that measures 5 inches from end to end? No way a truck is driving down the road straight with a frame 5 inches out.

Thanks for your reply
I will have to clarify what they meant... But the truck drives straight and does not pull so maybe the first thing a bend over 5 inch span maybe
I really wish they would have been technical about it and specific.
They found those cracks or crack in the back of the frame and almost automatically called it done it seems...

 

[pentode]

Thanks for your reply
I will have to clarify what they meant... But the truck drives straight and does not pull so maybe the first thing a bend over 5 inch span maybe
I really wish they would have been technical about it and specific.
They found those cracks or crack in the back of the frame and almost automatically called it done it seems...

I’m probably going to regret jumping further into this than I should have in the morning, but I’ve been following all these threads and my slightly inebriated brain just wants to find a happy solution to this problem.
It seems there’s something wrong with your truck; you’ve also said you’re looking for a never-ending project. I love never ending projects myself, but you either have to let this guy do right by you or take the great advice offered in these threads and do a frame swap as has been suggested. I want to be maximum gentle here. This guy has come out in public and offered to fix what ails you. My 2 cents, you need to decide if you want to tilt at windmills or just have it behind you and enjoy the truck. Maybe that’s 3 cents?

Edit: resident cheapskate speaking here, but if I had a truck that was off 5 inches and had someone willing to fix it for free, if he could make it 2.5 inches better I’d count my blessings. I’m up to 5 cents.