passenger spring tower rusting out!

[slothar]

I am new to this site and boy do I wish I had signed before I did my 302 conversion but all well it's running now. Anyways question is my right front spring and shock tower had a rust hole in on the the top above the frame rail so I welded a plate over it when I had the old 4 banger out. Now I have noticed that the tower has split right down the center to the bottom of the frame rail. The factory rivets are holding it in for now but I wonder if it be feasible to cut one out of another ranger at the bone yard and bolt it up to mine? I have put so much work into this truck that I hate to start over now. The rest of the frame is in good shape no major rust issues. I guess some road salt must have gotten stuck down in the pocket between the frame rail and the tower. The drivers side has no issues. Has anyone tried anything like this before?

-Neal

 

[1_fst_70]

Go to your local Ford dealer and order part# E3TZ-5A306-B. This is a new spring seat to replace your rusted one. Just had to do this on a friend's '92. It wasn't a hard job, just get the coil and shock uninstalled, as well as the brake line. Then drill or grind out the rivets holding the old one on the frame. We installed the new part with grade 8 bolts with locking 'stover' nuts, then reassembled everything again. Had the Ford dealer do a quick alignment and the truck is as good as new. It seems the 89-92 Rangers with AC have a problem with this part rusting out, have seen it a few times now. I think the AC drain drips in this area and water eventually gets under the factory paint on the spring seat and helps it rust out. The Rangers I have seen with this issue had no other rust except the passenger side coil spring seat! Good luck.

 

[slothar]

awesome!

Thanks for the info, I am suprised that ford carries that part because I called and asked if they carried one of the front body mounts for the passenger core support and the parts guy laughed and said thats part of the frame. So I had to do my own fabricating when I installed a 3 inch body lift on my truck. the top of the mount was very weak where the rubber mount sat on top of it and I figured it was best to replace it before it rusted all the way through.

 

[Flounder90]

Not to beat a dead Horse here but I am looking for spring towers from my 1983 and this came up in search. Cant get them through work (ford) as they are discontinued and no dealers show them anymore. I have found through Google http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/products/Ford_Ranger_Coil_Spring_Shock_Tower_Bracket_Kit_LEFT_AND_RIGHT_SIDE_FRONT_SINGLE_SHOCK-2144-157.html But my question is was there a change in 88 to prevent them from working on my 83?

Thanks