RUST makes BAAAAAD news! :(

[medicbro2000]

Hey guys,

I got some bad news... I have discovered some not so good things happening underneath my truck. While switching out spares and trying to tighten up my rear bumper- I found that the frame has rotted where the bumper attaches making a remount near impossible without some extra bracing... well that wasn't all I found....

Upon further investigation, I noticed several cracks in the frame just a short distance up from the rear- but not only that- the upper shock mount on the drivers side rear is starting to pull away from the frame. (picture a banana peeling out)

So right now I am going to have to keep myself off the trails until I get this thing taken care of- if possible. I have to do some investigating into the saveability right now and the options available.... but for now it looks like it is off to the welders! I may take some pictures and throw them up for others to see and/or use for reference.

If anyone has any suggestions feel free to throw them out... otherwise its a waiting game. Its a shame especially with a 2000 with a beautiful body and only 95,000 miles.

Wish me luck!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Man- that sucks! I was just looking at your truck and it's super clean!

Do they heavily salt up there or something?

 

[BrianDye]

Damn man im sorry to hear all that, i have a 92 eb ex, i need some patch work done real bad, while connecting the amp bypass, i noticed you can basically stick your hand through the wheelwell up to the amp, its pretty bad

 

[medicbro2000]

Man- that sucks! I was just looking at your truck and it's super clean!

Do they heavily salt up there or something?

I bought this thing a few years ago.... (2005??) and it had 47,000 miles on it. I keep it very clean- always waxing/cleaning. I undercoated it the first year, but not last year or this year.... My mechanic and I think it sat around a while... but I think its a combination of Vermont roads (yes salt is a b*** up here) and the poor mix of metal ford used on these trucks during that timeframe.... I am not sure what kind of mix of salt they use up here but I do know it is highly corrosive.

I had my mechanic look at it for some insight and he seems to think the Shocks will be okay and the small cracks are nothing to worry about - for right now- however before the end of this year and the next snow I should patch her up... otherwise the bumper would be the biggest issue.

What a headache, but I guess there is hope.

 

[Robrt32]

wow man that's a nice looking truck to have that under it...... 1 of the main reason down here we crawl under ever truck before buying..... gotta make sure they didn't come from up north

 

[jeff933]

I live up in Northern Vermont. Every early spring I go out to see what happened to the cars during the winter. It's the same day you put your lawn back from the snow plow running into it. mark your calender. Seriously, I bought a 2001 Ranger with 20K original miles on it. Nice truck. The game is to make the body and frame last the same amount of time as the running gear. I put this product called "Fluid Film" in the door panels, tailgate and all over the underbody. I was skeptical but it worked very well. You can buy it from a John Deere dealer or through the mail, search the web for Fluid Film. It explains what it is. A gallon does the Ranger nicely with some left over.

 

[Scott B.]

Swap out the frame.

A bit of work, but way cheaper than a new truck.

 

[jeff933]

After the frame swap out, put the fluid film to it before you bolt the bed and body back on .....