Gas tank strap hanger?

[straycat]

Lets get one thing straight, I'm not a Ford hater but this one is trying my patience. I bought it used at the end of '08. At that time it had, for all practical purposes, no rust. Within a year a rust hole developed in the bed. I figure its just bad luck and weld that hole back up (after dismounting the bed, etc.) and put a paint on bedliner on.
This year the spare tire about fell off when the carrier rotted out. More bad luck I guess, that also drops the gas tank canister and causes the "check engine" light to come on.

So I ended up spending ~$150 to get a new spare tire carrier and about 2 hours cleaning it up (the anti-rust goo Ford used on it is pretty pitiful and dissolves with gas) and repainting only to discover it can't be installed in one piece. 3 more hours had the pan split and tabs welded on so it can be installed in two pieces and joined back together.

Also I've noticed where the rear brake hardline joins the soft line that goes to the axle theres a mount that rivets to the frame, thats rotted off too... Ford says the part is not available. Thats all added to the gas tank strap mount which is rotted off and "not available". Oh I almost forgot, the only other body rot is the gas tank door which is rotting from under the paint... Ford wants ~$100 for one unpainted.

So anyway I'll also say the dealership guys treated me nice enough but the parts I want are unavailable. I'll try another dealership but if the parts don't exist I don't know what they can do. Musick17 is right, I'll probably end up making one, I was just hoping (since I've spent way too much time on this stupid truck) that somebody had one.

Finally adsm08, 10 years old is NOT an old truck. I drive an '84 Mercedes 110 miles every single day. Are you suggesting that in 2003 Ford's rust prevention techniques are not as good as Mercedes from 20 years previous? That sucks. My '96 Dodge Dakota had no serious underbody rust at 222,000 miles when I traded it for the Ranger. If the transmission and transfer case in the Dodge hadn't been giving up I'd have kept it. The Ranger is a better woods truck but the Dakota v8 had more power (no surprise), got just as good gas mileage (wait, what?) and rode better down the paved road.

Sorry about the issues you had, Bro!! Glad it was not something that could have harmed you or another person!! I have family and friends that work for Ford and believe it or not...not all of them drive Fords. I am a Ford man but just not going to buy any new ones. My brother-in-law (my wife's side of the family) works up in Ohio at a Ford assembly plant and has been there for right at 30 years. He does not own a Ford (some Ford man huh?) He drives a really super neat looking Dodge Dakota 4 door V8 4x4 with 35''s on it. They drive it down here once or twice a year to visit. His wife drives an 09 Escape, so there is a Ford in the family. He likes the older Fords and has had a few Mustangs years back. He's like me..he likes older Fords. Nothing wrong with that...somebody has to buy the used cars and trucks...right?? lol

 

[shane96ranger]

I am referring to 'why is this crap happening' as why are we Americans having all these recalls with things that should never happen in the first place? These recalls should never happen. These car companies have been building cars for years and we should not have any issues with a bolt mounted to a steering nut being the wrong grade so it sheers off on some poor owner at highway speed, cruise controls that won't disengage or catch on fire, wheels that fall off at speed, vehicals that roll over after all the test these companies say they do and all the safety test that are supposed to have been done for consumers. Like I said...it is not just Ford of course. But Ford should step up to the plate and take a better look at what they are doing when they design a new vehicle or upgrade an existing model and inspect all their materials first before starting that assembly line!!

One thing we need to remember, is Ford (and every other manufacturer) outsources components. These are places they have depended on for years. IIRC, the cruise control units were made by Visteon. But, when something takes a dump on the car, Ford takes the brunt and looks like the bad guy. They still are feeling the aftermath of the Firestone tires. That's business unfortunately.

Lets all be grateful they are recalling cars now instead of taking the high road like they did on the Pinto.

 

[Curtludwig]

I live in the Northeast but I've ALWAYS lived in the northeast. I know about how things rust, my '88 GMC had almost no rockers left but the gas tank straps were fine although I did have a rusty gas tank once...
I'm still holding that an 8 year old truck should not have the rust issues mine does. When its parked next to my 24 year old Mercedes I'm disgusted by Ford's lack of rust prevention.
I do like the truck, its great in the snow and decent in the mud but harsh riding on the road and rusts like it was coated with salt under the paint...

Looking at the other Fords around I'm noticing that the big trucks (F250 and larger) have some serious rust issues. Dodge seems to have a similar problem in this regard and has had it longer than Ford. I used to think Fords didn't rust too bad. Chevy, Toyota and Nissan don't seem to be as bad.

 

[straycat]

One thing we need to remember, is Ford (and every other manufacturer) outsources components. These are places they have depended on for years. IIRC, the cruise control units were made by Visteon. But, when something takes a dump on the car, Ford takes the brunt and looks like the bad guy. They still are feeling the aftermath of the Firestone tires. That's business unfortunately.

Lets all be grateful they are recalling cars now instead of taking the high road like they did on the Pinto.

Ah, the Pinto, Punt it and it blows up!!! Well, Ford AND these other auto makers need to pay more attention to what kind of material goes into our American cars, right? It is the responsibility of the auto maker to ensure that all parts made are 100% safe and are made with the right components, correct? Firestone, not Ford sent me a letter about the recall on tires. I had Firestone tires on my 99 Ranger when I bought it new in July off 99. Firestone sent me a check for $232.52 after I sent them a receipt for the new tires I bought. So, they gave me some of the money back I spent on the new tires. I put 30x9.5 tires on my Ranger and Firestone gave me just the replacement money for the stock tires on the truck. I was glad about that. I did not expect it. I sent in the letter they asked me to reply to and the receipt from Tire Kingdom to prove I purchased the new tires and Tire Kingdom signed the letter and put the serial numbers of the Firestone tires on the letter as well. I still have the original spare mounted under the truck. It still holds air but this week I found out that I can put a 31 inch tire under there and one of my buddies gave me an almost new 31x10.5 A/T tire. He had it on is Jeep as a spare but added a new lift kit and added 35's. I put it under my Ranger last night and it fits in place. I need to give him the rim back and I can use my stock Ranger rim. Gotta get that mounted ASAP.

 

[lneidlinger]

Toyota and Nissan don't seem to be as bad.

I live in michigan, and I'd have to disagree with that. Put isuzu in there too. Infact, I have the opposite problem. My ranger has a nearly rust free frame/front suspension/rear suspension but pretty well rusted out cab corners and bed sides, and it's been in michigan all it's life. Every single Toyota landcruiser, Nissan Pathfinder, and Isuzu Rodeo I have looked at have had completely rusted our frames and undercarriages. I went and looked at a Isuzu rodeo with a rust free body, but you could (literally!!!) poke your finger through the frame it was so rusted out.

 

[straycat]

All vehicals can get rust at times. Here in Florida I see a lot of rusted Fords, GM, Toyota's, etc etc. Vehicles can rust due to the humidity and wet weather. Garage kept and a clean vehicals means less or no rust. I have never had a rusty car or truck. If you guys who live in a state that has ice and snow it is a must to clean under the vehicle as well as above the vehicle. How many people are able to do that with all the salt they throw on your roads at so many different times? Not too often I bet. If you maintain something it is going to last for a very long time. When ever I go boating and take my boat out on the boat ramp I go ASAP to a car wash that has the undercarriage jets and clean under my Jeeps or my Ranger. I just want to make sure I get no rust started from the salt water I love to boat in so much. I don't worry about it as much when I go up to the fresh water lakes with the boat. Take care of your stuff!!! People notice a really nice vehicle and people notice a pos as well...lol

 

[Andy D]

universal gas tank straps some 1/4 bolts and a little imagination. I live on the water, about 100 miles due east. Been dealing with rust forever.

 

[johnday]

An ancient thread, but in case it helps, here's a couple photos with SN on the "gusset" as some injunear calls it.
I still call it tank strap hanger bracket.

 

[Mark_88]

An ancient thread, but in case it helps, here's a couple photos with SN on the "gusset" as some injunear calls it.
I still call it tank strap hanger bracket.

Well, at least you found one...I didn't realize it was a small piece that could be replaced...

Do you need to remove the cross member to install that or can you weld it in without the extra work?

 

[johnday]

Well, at least you found one...I didn't realize it was a small piece that could be replaced...

Do you need to remove the cross member to install that or can you weld it in without the extra work?

I'm not going to install it until I get the bed off, due to floor rot.
I wanted to post a couple other photos but the site wouldn't let me. Look up "My threads", and you'll find where I started another thread.
Not sure if you have to remove the crossmember or not. I do know that the bracket is riveted to the frame, and I'm assuming to the crossmember.
The new bracket is thru bolted to the frame, and comes with captive nuts.
This thing ran me $70USD.
I'll update my own thread as progress is made.

 

[Mark_88]

OK, thanks, I found the other thread.

The bed looks a bit rough so I'd have to warn you there will probably be some offensive language and scenes of violence...but nothing that hasn't been witnessed before by some members who were having a bad Ranger day.

The bed removal should be easy enough...if you have a disc grinder, johnson bar, torx 55 sockets, and a few cans of PB Blaster or other lubricant...

I learned to soak my nuts in it the night before...a minor skin rash resulted from that but I applied some white lithium grease and they were fine...

Seriously though...if you've dealt with this before it will be easy...

 

[johnday]

OK, thanks, I found the other thread.

The bed looks a bit rough so I'd have to warn you there will probably be some offensive language and scenes of violence...but nothing that hasn't been witnessed before by some members who were having a bad Ranger day.

The bed removal should be easy enough...if you have a disc grinder, johnson bar, torx 55 sockets, and a few cans of PB Blaster or other lubricant...

I learned to soak my nuts in it the night before...a minor skin rash resulted from that but I applied some white lithium grease and they were fine...

Seriously though...if you've dealt with this before it will be easy...

Thanks Mark. Offensive language, scenes of violence, just what I like!
Heading down to wrong end of the state shortly [Duhtroit area], I've got a line on 6 stepside beds, hope to pickup one.

 

[Andy D]

I feel your pain. Every 30 yrs or so I buy a Ford to remind me why I don't buy them. Fords and most cars aren't built to last. They are engineered to be assembled as cheaply as possible. Ease of maintenance and longevity are counter to selling new cars. I had a '73 Torino, 351 Cleveland , C4. Great car, until the rear end fell out when the suspension rotted away. I was able to fix it, but it was just a delaying action. Had Ford engineered a few dozen 1/4" drain holes to drain trapped water, I'd still be driving it. Trust me, your Mercedes has drains.