ProctorSilex

The rear cross member on my 1988 F150 is shot. Is there a replacement available? I have been looking for a couple of hours and found nothing. Is cross member the wrong name? I saw nothing on LMC.
It is the right most piece joining the frame rails at the rear in this diagram:
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/910165
The attached photo is of the member on my truck.
This member holds the rear fuel tank and one end of the spare tire.
I could make a replacement but I would rather save the time for a reasonably priced replacement.

raski

Check out. You might find a donor truck in your area.
http://car-part.com/

Eric Fullerton

Considering the amount of welding involved, if you can't find a replacement, you could likely fab something up, stronger & better.

Steve83

Junkyard only, AFAIK, but you might check JBG, LMC, & Mac's Antiques for new.

But if that Xmbr is that bad, the rest of the frame can't be far behind. I'd start looking for a complete frame from a SouthWestern junkyard (no salt).

ProctorSilex

The rest of the frame is not like that at all. It has rust of course but still has many years of use left. My only guess for the horror show is the replaced frame rail on the left side most likely because of an accident. The cross member was either an unpainted replacement or the original damaged unit. The worse side of the cross member is the same side as the repaired frame. The cross member in front of the rear tank is in good shape.

I did try LMC and some salvage sites. The salvage sites did not have a cross member matching my part which is why I was wondering if it had a different name to search for. I will check the other sites mentioned tonight.

Thank you, everyone.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

A 30 year old truck.. why not just weld up some plates to what you have to re-enforce.

ProctorSilex

old truck: I do not have the money for a new truck. I like the old style better too.
Weld to rotten part: I can break it with my hands. There is little strong metal left. Might as well take some extra time to make a new part.

Eric Fullerton

I'd start with something like 1" square tubing and make the general shape twice, then plate it as needed with sheet metal. That last part would be optional, you could just make it girder looking. I don't know about where you live, but the metal yard here sells 24' of 16 ga 1" sq tubing for under $13 a stick. It amazes me that people will spend $50 on a little piece from a big box store.

ProctorSilex

Yeah, my local place is far cheaper than the consumer stores. It's convenience + ignorance. The local place is open something like M-F 7-3 and Saturday 7-12 and it's a good half hour away. It's well worth the inconvenience when you need more than one piece.

Steve83

Junkyards don't list frames, or pieces of frames, because they rarely sell them. Some JYs specifically refuse to sell anything with a VIN (as the frame does), and most will not cut a piece off of anything - least of all, to ship to you, and then have you complain that they cut it 1/16" short of what you needed. To get that Xmbr, you'll have to go to the JY with the tools necessary to get it. Most don't allow torches, so that means LOTS of batteries for your drill/grinder, and some prybars/hammers/drifts.

I wouldn't try to fabricate it - that would be even more work than getting one in a JY.