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

[pjtoledo]

damn, a rust free bed, being in the rust belt that pic makes me want to cry real tears

 

[SlugStang8997]

like this...View attachment 116640

Thanks for your reply
It looks straight there in that photo but it was bowed like in half going from the tailgate to the front of the cab

 

[SlugStang8997]

OK, you gave us a good piece of information by stating the bed was bowed.
that means the rear frame section is not straight.
the bed only attaches to the rear section, completely separate from the front section.

in my opinion that means the damage is mostly confined to the rear section of the frame.
the rear section can be easily replaced by any body shop.
heck, with an engine hoist 1 guy can do the job in a driveway.

on a personal note, take care of yourself and try to keep life on good level playing field.

Thanks for your reply
Tell that to the shops in my area...
They all seem to not know the frame is 2 pieces. When i try to tell them they insist its one piece

 

[pentode]

Thanks for your reply
Tell that to the shops in my area...
They all seem to not know the frame is 2 pieces. When i try to tell them they insist its one piece

It’s a matter of perspective I guess. I mean the truck is “one piece” of truck once it’s put together. . Sounds to me like they aren’t very good at drilling out rivets.

 

[SlugStang8997]

Just an update, i have decided to have the TheDrill go ahead and try to fix the frame. I have confidence he can do it.

 

[pentode]

Cool, glad to hear it. I'll speak for myself here, but if you and/or him feel good about posting a few pics/videos/whatever of the process, I'd love to see it. Don't want to put pressure on either one of you, I'm just curious at this point. I'm confident this'll work out just fine.

Edit: you've been very good about not placing blame, which is admirable, and I have no interest in blame either... just interested in what the heck happened to this truck and I always enjoy seeing problems get solved.

 

[SlugStang8997]

Cool, glad to hear it. I'll speak for myself here, but if you and/or him feel good about posting a few pics/videos/whatever of the process, I'd love to see it. Don't want to put pressure on either one of you, I'm just curious at this point. I'm confident this'll work out just fine.

Edit: you've been very good about not placing blame, which is admirable, and I have no interest in blame either... just interested in what the heck happened to this truck and I always enjoy seeing problems get solved.

Thanks for your reply
Agreed..., blame doesn't help a situation well...I really like TheDrill alot and i appreciate him offering to fix the truck...The damage to the truck wasn't his doing anyway... He built this truck so i trust him to fix it...So everything should be good. Its way to hot right now to get started he was thinking next week mid week. And it will be up to TheDrill to post photos and stuff if he wants 2.

 

[SlugStang8997]

Just an Update on progress..., TheDrill picked up the truck from me today...To try to fix the frame..we live about 40 miles away from each other.

Thanks to TheDrill

 

[Thedrill]

Got the truck home, drives straight as an arrow. Removed the bed and checked dimensions, The chassis is square side to side but has a 3/8 drop on the left rear chassis, probably due to overloading. The Chassis is in very good rust-free condition with very light surface rust that comes off with the callouses on my hands.
Now to the bad part, It has obviously had a crack in the chassis and has been repaired... it's a massive 1 " long and has been repaired perfectly fine.
I will attempt to straighten the rear chassis with my hydraulic equipment and put in some nice bracing.

 

[SlugStang8997]

Got the truck home, drives straight as an arrow. Removed the bed and checked dimensions, The chassis is square side to side but has a 3/8 drop on the left rear chassis, probably due to overloading. The Chassis is in very good rust-free condition with very light surface rust that comes off with the callouses on my hands.
Now to the bad part, It has obviously had a crack in the chassis and has been repaired... it's a massive 1 " long and has been repaired perfectly fine.
I will attempt to straighten the rear chassis with my hydraulic equipment and put in some nice bracing.View attachment 117178View attachment 117179View attachment 117180View attachment 117181View attachment 117182View attachment 117183

Thanks for your reply and the photos
Im not a trained eye but your saying its not that bad then
So its just a small crack then.
Well that is good news then... thanks

 

[Thedrill]

I've drilled holes bigger than that crack... I'm going to get the frame back in place and put some HD bracing in where it bent.
I just can't believe the people who told you it was dangerous to drive. They need naming and shaming so other people don't get ripped off.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I've drilled holes bigger than that crack... I'm going to get the frame back in place and put some HD bracing in where it bent.
I just can't believe the people who told you it was dangerous to drive. They need naming and shaming so other people don't get ripped off.

Agreed... and Sorry about everything... they said it was bent 5 inches and diamond bent which means nothing... It was Upland auto body and collision that tried to rip me off. They also claimed that the frame is short in length cut short then welded. Is the frame still factory length? So all of that was a lie then.. Sorry everyone for starting this thread...That shop was trying to sell me a frame job i didn't need.

 

[JoshT]

@Thedrill

It was Upland auto body and collision that tried to rip me off.

Certainly sounds like it. From what Thedrill is describing, it would have taken longer for them to strap the truck down on the frame rack than to actually straighten the frame. Really all they would have needed to do is chain the frame rails down in the right spots and use a portapower or something (maybe just a heavy duty jack) to push that back corner of the frame up into place. Small tweaks like that get done all of the time.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Agreed... and Sorry about everything... they said it was bent 5 inches and diamond bent which means nothing... It was Upland auto body and collision that tried to rip me off. They also claimed that the frame is short in length cut short then welded. Is the frame still factory length? So all of that was a lie then.. Sorry everyone for starting this thread...That shop was trying to sell me a frame job i didn't need.

Dont be sorry thats what we are here for.

To save people thousands of dollars on repairs they didnt really need lol.

 

[RobbieD]

That frame actually looks to be in good shape, excepting the tweak and the repaired crack.

It's just my two cents' worth, but from what I've seen and heard, I'd be comfortable with @Thedrill working on any of my trucks. And I think that he deserves credit for jumping in and making it right.