Cab corner rot.

[Mataroa]

Howdy!

To start: My truck is having some issues with rust, to say the least. The bed, the frame, and even one of the cab corners is pretty bad. I'm not creative enough to tackle the frame rust, but I have plans for a wooden flatbed and the cab corner.
-----
(Image redacted)
-----
(Image redacted)
-----
As you can see, the cab corner is pretty far gone. I genuinely mean it, GONE. It even rusted out the seatbelt anchor, however I've already bolted that down elsewhere.

I doubt the replacement cab corners I've seen from Rock Auto will do anything. So, the plan is to cover it up. Something akin to applique armor.

>Use some angle iron to make a replacement corner to hold everything at proper angles (I have the passenger side to use as a reference).
>Apply metal from front wheel well to cab corner, wrapping around the corner, also going high enough to the style ridge. (See pic below, shown on passenger side)
>Repeat for passenger side, because covering one side only would simply look silly.
-----
(Image redacted)
-----
What are your thoughts? It seems like a straightforward project, but I was curious to see if anyone had tried anything similar.

Comments? Concerns?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't think the endevour is worth undertaking.

You don't have bed.
You don't have a frame.
You don't have a cab.

Structurally you don't have anything going for you.

Find a solid truck that needs a major powertrain component from your truck for cheap and revive it.

 

[Curious Hound]

If what we see in these pictures in any way indicates the condition of your frame, don't waste your time. "Covering" the missing cab corner and building a flat bed are merely cosmetic issues. Looking silly will be the least of your problems if the frame brakes and the truck folds in half while you're driving down the highway. You and others could be seriously injured or worse. Even relocating the seatbelt anchor point in a cab rusted this badly is a safety concern.

The advice to find a different truck is wise.

Eric B

 

[Mataroa]

Your concerns are justified.

It's 18 years old, going on 160K. It's been through a lot. It's due for retirement, and I have no illusions about this, despite how much as I love my baby.

I currently have my eye on something newer. To be specific, an '08 Ranger with 85K miles! Ooh!

Slick!

This green guy is my daily driver for now. Mostly driving back roads, and absolutely no highway driving because I don't have a death wish.

It's purely cosmetic, yes, and I would go so far to say that it's a band-aid solution, or a delaying of the inevitable. My only goal was to doll it up some before it gets retired. Let's be honest, $20 of steel to patch a hole isn't too much of a money sink.

I've been convinced. The flatbed is nixed, and any work with the cab corner is delayed. I'll see about that '08 Ranger I had my eye on, and if that goes through then I suppose any cosmetics are pointless.

 

[bobbywalter]

looks like my truck......



its just metal. errr....lack of metal. without seeing the frame, cant say if flat bed is worth it..

 

[Curious Hound]

It just kept reminding me of this truck currently on Craigslist in my area.

 

[07nhbpsi]

If what we see in these pictures in any way indicates the condition of your frame, don't waste your time. "Covering" the missing cab corner and building a flat bed are merely cosmetic issues. Looking silly will be the least of your problems if the frame brakes and the truck folds in half while you're driving down the highway. You and others could be seriously injured or worse. Even relocating the seatbelt anchor point in a cab rusted this badly is a safety concern.

The advice to find a different truck is wise.

Eric B

What he said right here........I was thinking the seatbelt anchor was enough for me to go, yeah time for something else...... for me the seatbelt anchor is the main concern I have with this......

 

[Mataroa]

It just kept reminding me of this truck currently on Craigslist in my area.

Have you seen this one, by chance?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgKOCA28b0A

What he said right here........I was thinking the seatbelt anchor was enough for me to go, yeah time for something else...... for me the seatbelt anchor is the main concern I have with this......

 

[91stranger]

rangers are cheap, like dirt cheap anymore. your rust is probably far worse than what you think it is. you said the frame was rusty so im sure its ate up like swiss cheese. dont be a fool and try to put a bandaid on it. if you are going to fix anything then it needs to be the frame. but by then you could use that time and money on a new truck. looks like your truck is on the downward side of the hill. mine was like that and i didnt realize how bad it was until i took the bed off. gave up on the old truck whenthe gas tank was falling out, leaf spring were broken on both sides, power steering line rusted out and leaking, frame broke in front of leaf spring and battery died. she was well overdue for the graveyard lol. heres a pic.

 

[Mataroa]

Yeah... That's why the green truck's already sitting in a junkyard.

That being said, let's just let the truck (and this discussion, for that matter) go.