Rusty Old Ford

[windingroadpete]

Hello all, my first post on the forum, so I'll waste no time. This is for all the body mechanic's out there who can maybe give me some some advice. I have a 1998 ford E-150 that my brother gave me some months back. A new crate engine a 4.2  6 cylinder was put in in 08" so its only got 76000 miles on the engine and runs very well. I put another 3000 in it with new tires, shocks, front springs, and some front end work done. Anyway I thought at the time it was worth the investment, but after looking further into the amount of rust this van has accumulated in 6 months I have owned it, I'm kinda wondering do I keep going with this truck or cut my losses now? I'm looking at full rocker replacement from front doors all the way back behind the rear bumper,+ the rear wheel arches to boot. And I mite get away with not replacing the door skins. The drive train seems to be in good working order but I plan on doing a full fluid and filter change on it soon. Should I get a compression test on the engine first? I just spent about $400. on tuning it up and there are no issues with it at all, at least none of the mechanics said there were any. I want to start living out of it, but I gotta make sure all my ducks are in a row with this van first. Any thoughts out there? Thank You in advance Pete :huh:

 

[user 37446]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a body man. I can follow UTube and do small hole repairs but not sectioning out complete rockers, wells and maybe door skins.

We would benefit from pics in order to better see the outside and frame rust, however based on your description, unless you do the repairs or can get a friend to help, it would be cost prohibitive to have a body shop cut out and replace that much.

You indicated you have spent north of $3K on mechanicals. If so, then you've sunk a lot into this van. Again without pics it is hard to determine relative value. So I'd say try to find someone who can help you cut and weld the panels. If so then keep it unless the frame is dangerous. If you can't find anyone, then maybe cut your losses... Or make it a "donor" van for mechanicals and find one with a better body but a blown motor. JMHO

 

[highdesertranger]

it sounds like it's to far gone. remember rust is like an ice berg, you only see 10% of it. o yeah go to the newcomers corner and introduce yourself. highdesertranger

 

[caretaker]

sorry man its toast,,,run it as long as you can until you gotta spend serious money then drive it to a bone yard and get what you can for it

 

[djkeev]

Question if I may?.......

Where are you located and where did the Van reside before you got it?

I've seen vehicle owners from the SouthWest FREAK OUT over minor surface rust because they simply do NOT have rust and hence zero experience with it.

Post some photos, help us understand what you are dealing with.

Dave

 

[masterplumber]

I'd by a same model van with a blown engine but good body for $500 and swap everything over. Easier and cheaper. Just my opinion, but I can turn a wrench, just not that good at bodywork​. I am amazed what a good bodyman can do though. I sold a friend my wife's totalled Ford Escape. Needed one whole side from the driver's door back cut off and replaced, along with the rear suspension on that side. 3 weeks later it was painted and back on the road.

 

[windingroadpete]

Question if I may?.......

Where are you located and where did the Van reside before you got it?

I've seen vehicle owners from the SouthWest FREAK OUT over minor surface rust because they simply do NOT have rust and hence zero experience with it.

Post some photos, help us understand what you are dealing with.

Dave

Dave I got the van free from my brother who drove it for about 6-7 years as his plumbers truck, but I'll get some pic's out so's ya can see what I'm dealin with. Thanks again Pete

 

[windingroadpete]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a body man. I can follow UTube and do small hole repairs but not sectioning out complete rockers, wells and maybe door skins.

We would benefit from pics in order to better see the outside and frame rust, however based on your description, unless you do the repairs or can get a friend to help, it would be cost prohibitive to have a body shop cut out and replace that much.

You indicated you have spent north of $3K on mechanicals. If so, then you've sunk a lot into this van. Again without pics it is hard to determine relative value. So I'd say try to find someone who can help you cut and weld the panels. If so then keep it unless the frame is dangerous. If you can't find anyone, then maybe cut your losses... Or make it a "donor" van for mechanicals and find one with a better body but a blown motor. JMHO

Yup! Its only got 75000 on the engine, so I'll post some pic's so you all can get better Id what I'm talking about. Thanks for the feed back Pete

 

[steamjam1]

1998 Ford vans still had full frames, so body rust through is not the end of the world. I would pay close attention to the vans frame, especially around the steering box as thats the spot they tend to come apart first. Luckily replacement rockers, wheel arches and quarters, as well as lower door skins are easily obtainable (and cheap) from places like Mill Supply, or Ray Buck.

I've seen people buy these, literally pop rivet them over the rusted bits and use a ton of filler. It looked O.K. It's not the right way to do it, and I can spot jobs like that from a hundred yards, but when you gotta do it, you gotta do it. I've seen people use coffee cans, cereal boxes, and old lunch pails to make patch panels. As long as the frame of your Ford is OK... Yer set.