Worth it to Repair Rusted Frame?

[CoconutMilkFrog]

Any shops worth their salt (no pun intended) in NJ who you’ve used to repair rusted or rotted frames?

The frame is over all rusted, but has one particular spot of rot. All the leaf springs brackets, shocks, etc. need to be replaced as well for rust. Can that be done for 2-3k?
Also how much can be done as a home mechanic DIY with no welding experience?

 

[Terrys87]

I tried to get a welding business to weld a frame up for me and they would not due to liabilty reason. I did find a welder that welded it for me but he was not in business of welding but did welding for a business. Look around and there should be one in your area that will do it for you. Eventually that did lead me into doing a frame swap. Not near as bad as I thought it was going to be.

 

[Blmpkn]

Pictures would help.

Depending on what year the truck is, some ranger frames are 2 pieces... The entire back half behind the cab is somewhat 'easily' replaced.

Finding a shop to do it though can/will be a problem. It's no secret that America is incredibly over litigious.. so lots of places don't want to take any risks with liability.

Replacing the back half is within the realm of DIY though.. even without a welder. Basic hand tools.. jack and stands.. a bunch of elbow grease..

A compressor and an air hammer would help immensely.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Pictures would help.

Depending on what year the truck is, some ranger frames are 2 pieces... The entire back half behind the cab is somewhat 'easily' replaced.

Finding a shop to do it though can/will be a problem. It's no secret that America is incredibly over litigious.. so lots of places don't want to take any risks with liability.

Replacing the back half is within the realm of DIY though.. even without a welder. Basic hand tools.. jack and stands.. a bunch of elbow grease..

A compressor and an air hammer would help immensely.

He has a 96, the two-piece frames started in 98 with the suspension and body change.

Repairing frames used to be a common thing many years ago. On one of my computers I have a bunch of stuff out of a manual on how to do it. As has been mentioned though, a lot of shops either have no idea how to do it correctly or are afraid of a lawsuit.

If the whole frame is bad, you will probably be better off either buying a truck in better shape or trying to get a frame from a more rust free area and swap frames. I’ve done a bunch of repair to the frame of my green Ranger but I would have been better off sourcing a better frame.

 

[SenorNoob]

Isn't frame welding still commonly done on large trucks? Think semi size, trash trucks, school buses, ETC. Maybe a shop that does that would be willing to take on a Ranger frame repair?

 

[CoconutMilkFrog]

Here’s the only spot where there is actual rot. It’s the part of the frame that’s right next to the gas tank.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

They make repair sections for that…

 

[Roert42]

You probably have more then you see.

For someone with no welding experience this is what I recommend.

1. New frame. This will reset the time from you have life of the truck, as long as Th e body is is good shape it’s best long term solution

2. buy some pre fab caps that slide over the affected area. Strip the whole back area out to just the bare frame, and get a mobile welder to come weld on the patches in your driveway. Make sure you have everything all ready to go. Probably looking at $250 an hour for at least 2 hours, maybe more depending.

 

[bobbywalter]

Isn't frame welding still commonly done on large trucks? Think semi size, trash trucks, school buses, ETC. Maybe a shop that does that would be willing to take on a Ranger frame repair?

generally, tractors you do not weld on. they are heat treated ect.

rivot/bolt sections ect for weldments.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Volvo frames we do are lengthened.
Cut on the diagonal, welded new longer frame rail
EDITED
BUT there is a section splice bolted on the insides of the frame with a cross member integral.
I don't know if the frame is heat treated, but suspect not.

 

[Brain75]

guessing by volvo you mean a volvo semi... but your comment sparked an option no one has mentioned... look for a "custom coach conversion" shop (i.e. a place that makes "limos" out of luxury cars) - they have experience welding frames and aren't afraid of liability... that said, I have to wonder just how OMG the total price would be, especially if you leave the bed and everything attached - giving them the disassembly and reassembly money.... probably buy a new truck for that.

Other than that, I am afraid we live in such a disposable society that there aren't any real shops left....

All that said, I have no experience with limo shops and don't know they would accept the business or just laugh their ass off or... just a thought.

another option would be get out of town and look up a mobile farm & ranch welder out in the sticks. Those guys are capable of just about anything and less afraid of lawsuits than the city folk.