Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Cross member is the correct name for it, yes.
Your best bet would be to look for some one who is parting out a truck, they'd likely cut the whole back off for you for 20.00 or some such.
Any F150 from 80 to 96 should have the same basic piece.

ProctorSilex

Thanks, guys. I will update this thread with the results.

ProctorSilex

I built a replacement from 3" channel and 3" angle (I think). I ran into a lot of fitment issues and it was a ton of work. It probably took about as much effort or more as finding a replacement at a yard and extracting it. I took video of the whole process that I would like to edit into something interesting.

ctbates09

I am in need of the same piece and i was wondering if I could get the dimension for the piece you built, I actually work at a metal fabrication shop and have all the material needed to build

Steve83

Why don't you just remove the rear bumper & measure yours? You'll get more-accurate & more-complete measurements that way. Probably faster, too, since this thread has been dead for 2 years. But as he said: getting one at a JY would be quicker, easier, & better than building one.

ProctorSilex

I checked my notes and did not find any dimensions. Note that the holes in the top and bottom are not plumb. There were two main reasons why fitment was a pain:
1) The top and bottom holes are not right over each other. I originally built it with the channel and angle iron in the same plane. I had to cut them apart and redo it on the frame to assure alignment.
2) The aftermarket gigantic fuel tank. I don't know whether the tank was already a poor fit. I had to bend the seams at either end just to get it to fit with little room. Try to err on the side of extra room.
The whole process also took a long time because I cared about rust. For painting the cross member, it was very difficult to remove all the mill scale from the stock. If you don't care, don't have scale, or have a good process, then you won't have that issue.

ProctorSilex

I said probably the same or more effort. All the rest is subjective and not what I wrote. As for the effort, if one avoids the pitfalls or is more skilled with a better shop than a driveway and tiny garage in the dead of summer, then it would probably go better. It also depends on the local yards. Most of mine only have a piece of crap obsolete or, usually, none at all. Additionally, many of them are **** about what they let you do. All of the part out sellers I have dealt with have been a pain. Getting any info is pulling teeth and they act like they're sitting on a gold mine. The ideal would be finding a bare frame at a yard or a part out seller who isn't an ***, which is easier said than done.