found something interesting today :(
its underneith the bed right above/next to the muffler

 

That doesn't look too good. I would think about boxing the frame in.

 

It looks like that paet of the frame can be removed n mayb replaced.it goes over the fuel tank.

 

That sucks. My frame is pretty rusty but no holes yet. I think the heat of the exhaust speeds up rusting in that area.

 

its Non-load bearing, but i wouldn't run around with it like that for ever. Get it fixed Asap.
Like Adam said, you'll need to have that part boxed in, i don't see much left to re-weld and making a patch panel won't be easy there.

 

Yeah, it doens look like there is much left there to weld to.

I say get it replaced. It might not be too easy, but it will be worth it.

 

That sucks man

 

That sucks. I would try to replace it and do an undercoating on the entire frame to try and prevent anymore problems.

 

Wirelessly posted

Shes pretty old so i guess its to b expected. Pretty sure that piece unbolts

 

Wirelessly posted

Shes pretty old so i guess its to b expected. Pretty sure that piece unbolts

 

I had the same problem with mine. I cut out the bad part and made a new piece that bolted in that wouldnt hold dirt and cause more problems

 

Sadly wholes are comon or atleasr for me lucky for you that is and easy fix ^^^^ as he daid make a new piece or have one made.

I was not so lucky years of neglect and improper wasing have lead to a 2 finger size whole just above each front spring hanger :(

 

Wirelessly posted

Ya looks like this cross member is riveted in and it holds the muffler hanger and a braket that holds the fuel tank.

 

http://rangerframefix.com/

 

from MA too. nice

 

good find!

 

yea ill be ordering mine-looks like they have a 6 to 7ft bed extension too. idk why i want that but it would be unique

 

7 foot bed on an extened cab would be cool.

 

The 7 foot bed conversion looks sketch. I looked into it before and it looks like the bed is 6 inches longer before the wheel, and 6 inches behind the wheel, so just adding a foot to the end of the frame won't work.

For $150 it's prob easiest to just buy the replacement cross member. I fabed up all new rear cross members and some of the frame rails for about $70 worth of cut-off steel from a metal warehouse, but it was a lot of work.

The cross piece is riveted in, just needs to be drilled out. If you have the money and plan on keeping the truck for more than a year or two, I'd get a entire rear frame section from a newer wrecked ranger and swap the whole thing. The front and rear frames are held together with a few rivets. It wouldn't be much more work to replace the whole rear frame over just the cross member. Even if you replace the cross member and coat the rest of the frame, it is still paper thin and weak.

 

Ok so finally ordered me up a crossmember replacement. Came in yesterday but for some reason the seller decided not to tell me that there out of the exhaust hangers. might not need it but hes going to to send me one next week sometime. Going to prime and paint the frame in some hightemp black. nothing fancy. going to start the project next sunday with my dad. remove the bed and just sand down and repaint everything! going to do the leafsprings, shackles, and hangers as well!

 

I would recomend doing the shock mounts too if you are already going to replace that much.

 

I agree on the upper shock mounts. They are only $35 each at advance auto. I didn't change mine when I did my frame, they didn't look great but I decided to let them ride, few months later one broke.

Also for paint - look up POR15.

 

yea thats a good idea. i suppose while im in there, i should do whatever i can.

 

Did my frame repair today and what a d**m adventure. it took hours to get the crossmember out and another couple of hours to get the new one in to find its the wrong size, wrong location for bolt holes and the bracket for the gas tank doesnt fit. GOT TO BE KIDDIN MEE.

anyways...did the shackles and hangers-those came out pretty good. think i forgot something, or tightened them down to much because there squeeking but i have had enough and spend enough on this truck. giving up now.

here are some pictures.

 

That was rough man.
good thing you got that fixed.