DNFXDLI's 79 F150 Build Part1

[DNFXDLI]

Those crossmembers were never straight across and always had a bit of an offset to them. Personally I'd leave it alone, they look like factory welds to me.

Scott, Ford would actually send something out like that?...what are your thoughts on the right hans side where the crossmember appears a bit kinked?

 

[m78]

Duncan ,I can't see the the kink but remember back then they used reel steel and the hydraulic stamps and their knowledge of ,weren't as sophisticated as are now. Nor was anything else for that matter.
As far as the cross member being off maybe you should use my tape measure.

And remember when E.F.(Scott) Hutton talks people listen

 

[Ranger429]

Absolutely they'd let stuff out like that. I've seen some pretty nasty looking welds on the front of these frames before.

As far as the kink it looks like that was pushed in with something. It doesn't mean that it was in an accident, could of been something buried in a dirt field that was run over and kicked up or similiar, who knows.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thanks for the input guys...I gotta give this a bit more though.

 

[DNFXDLI]

For you guys that have pulled the engine in these trucks with the transfer case attached directly to the transmission...how did you pull the engine out?
Did you disconnect the engine from the transmission and deal with the transmission and transfer case seperately or did you disconnect the transfer case from the transmission?
I've looked in the Ford shop manual and unless I'm overlooking something, they really don't make reference to it.
All thoughts and input appreciated!

 

[Truckin4life]

Haven'y done it on the gen6's but i say drop the transfer case, then pull the engine trans combo...

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I always pulled the motor first then do the tranny and transfer case so ya dont have to mess with so much wieght.

 

[DNFXDLI]

The transfer case is attached to the back of the transmission, and the shop manual isn't too clear on the removal procedure.

 

[m78]

I'm with Dan, Remove the tansfer case , transmission and engine seperate. Break up the weight.
Your going to be under there removing the drive shafts anyways,go ahead and remove the extra few nuts that hold the transfer case on and slide it off of the transmission output shaft.

If you've got the front of the truck off you can probably manage the engine and transmission together.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

What I meant was pull the motor first then the trans and transfercase together just support it with a floor jack.

 

[Ranger429]

I usually pull the engine then drop the trans and T-case from the bottom.

 

[Mil1ion]

With any that I have done, I always disconnected the TCase first.

Ford put the body on the chassis and the TC was never meant to be part of a engine/trans removal, so that why it isn't mentioned in shop manual

 

[DNFXDLI]

Engine is out...transmission and transfer case still in vehicle.

 

[DNFXDLI]

How many of you guys have powder coated frames, parts etc....and what has the end product turned out like. After having a chat with the neighbor I'm giving some thought to pulling the body off the frame...leaving the body for now and powder coating the frame, driveline, crossmembers etc....any thoughts?

 

[bucks77ford]

Powdercoating usually is the way to go if you have access to a powdercoater that will do frames, axles, and what not. I used a chassis saver paint which worked pretty well, just because I never had access to a powder coater.

 

[DNFXDLI]

There are a few places around that do it...seems to be cheaper if you take a whole pile of stuff in at one time and do it one color...so I'm thinking about doing the whole thing in black

 

[Mil1ion]

I highly recommend it.

I have a friend in Calgary that does all my parts that I need (FOC).

 

[DNFXDLI]

I highly recommend it.

I have a friend in Calgary that does all my parts that I need (FOC).

My concern with it is chipping....I've seen trailers done in it and you are kinda hooped once it chips

 

[bucks77ford]

My concern with it is chipping....I've seen trailers done in it and you are kinda hooped once it chips

Powder coating if done properly shouldn't chip that easily. Also, powder coat is much more durable than any kind of paint that you would use, so if the coating chips, paint would be worse.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Powder coating is the way I want to go...I just have to do a bunch of reading!