Frame rot

[Snowstorm87MJ]

Hey guys looking for some suggestions on how to tackle this. Truck essentially got put out of commision last year because of door rot and this frame section on its way. I have brand “new” doors from the 80s with zero rust. 

 

 

this is the only structural frame rot on the truck the lower portion of the sidewall is beginning to feel squishy. Best advice and or ways. I wouldn’t be asking if the fuel lines weren’t in the way lol. Am i basically cutting all the lines buying them and re running brakes when i’m done with the frame? As you can see in the last photo its pretty clean structurally rest of the underside.

[watchamakalit]

Cut out ALL the rust, weld new metal in, paint, and drive. 

[89 MJ]

 

Remember, the rust is going to be much worse on the inside, so cut out more than you think you need too. If the edges of the inside of the piece cut out are still rusty, you've got more cutting to do. If I were you, I'd be pulling the fuel and brake lines and the fuel tank for sure. It might even go as far as needing to remove the leaf spring mount and bed, hard to say until you get into it. 

[Snowstorm87MJ]

1 minute ago, 89 MJ said:

 

Remember, the rust is going to be much worse on the inside, so cut out more than you think you need too. If the edges of the inside of the piece cut out are still rusty, you've got more cutting to do. If I were you, I'd be pulling the fuel and brake lines and the fuel tank for sure. It might even go as far as needing to remove the leaf spring mount and bed, hard to say until you get into it. 

Yeah the leaf spring area looks okay and structurally okay. Looking inside the rot hole the rust is only half way up the channel.

[89 MJ]

4 minutes ago, Snowstorm87MJ said:

Yeah the leaf spring area looks okay and structurally okay. Looking inside the rot hole the rust is only half way up the channel.

The pictures look like the seam is swelling near your left leg in one of the pictures, that why I said that. 

[Snowstorm87MJ]

57 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

The pictures look like the seam is swelling near your left leg in one of the pictures, that why I said that. 

Honestly you’re probably right though might as well just do the whole damn thing while I'm there

[89 MJ]

That's what I'm thinking. It'll be a big project for sure, but probably worth doing it all now.

[ghetdjc320]

I’d also recommended removing the bed, tank and all the lines. No sesnse risking damage or possible fire here. I think you’ll find it’s totally worth it to do this. Should be a rewarding project though you will likely find much more rust once it’s opened up. I would also suggest you really support the frame when doing this. You don’t want to have any flex from the repair area. May not be a bad idea to weld on some frame reinforcement plate brackets to that area once the underlying repairs are complete. The junction where the bed frame connects to the uniframe under the cab are crucial structural areas as are the leaf spring mounting points.