1989 F150

[redidbull]

A few years back I bought an 89 F150 for $700. It ran and drove but is an old truck. Did a carfax at the time and found out the kid I bought it from bought it from the original owner. Kid never registered it. Thought of it as a project but never got far. I have put about $1k more into it. I want to possibly make this a viable truck. Highway worthy. Maybe some trips. For the most part it will be a dump run, home center truck. My thoughts were things like new brake lines, brakes, hoses and other wear items. Biggest fear is frame rust. I posted a couple pix and don't think it is bad. I think the truck was garaged because the body isn't too bad. Just faded and "aged". Interior floor is bad. Not too concerned of the looks. Just want it safe. Getting read to register it as is but want options on whether my direction is correct or if it is just stupid to restore an 89 F150. Thanks. Jim

 

[gene49]

I did frame rust repair for a living for 28 years. I'm not seeing anything that looks to bad, but sometimes pictures don't tell the whole story.

The fastest way to determine the condition of a rust covered frame is to hit it with a hammer! I actually use the pointed end of a welders pick hammer. HIT IT PRETTY HARD, one time at the point you think is the worst place. (I actually have a pick hammer with the point ground down to a pretty abrupt point just to test frame rails).
If the pick blows through, that area needs to be replaced, and you need to replace it until you get back to the 1/8' thickness, or you will be doing it again in about a year.
If the metal around where the hammer hit deforms an area more then an inch around, at the impact area, the frame is too thin and probably needs to be patched up.
If there is a small diameter dent, or no marking, the frame is good to go.

To put it into proper perspective, a normal frame thickness is 1/8" - 3/16" thick. You have to smack it pretty hard to dent the frame rail. Even with a piece of 20 gauge body sheet metal, a pick hammer won't blow through. If it puts a big dent in the frame rail, its down to the thickness of body sheet metal, and its not going to last much longer.