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ib516's avatar
ib516
Explorer II
May 30, 2014

If you own a Ford pickup and live in the rust belt

You might want to watch this video.

Ford Pickup Problem

He never does say what "model" of Ford pickup he's talking about, but to me it looks like an F150?

Easy DIY fix to prevent the problem.
  • That's a known issue for quite a while. There is an aftermarket one that is plastic, and sometime around 2007, Ford redesigned the part so it is lifted up off the frame rail so it wont rust
  • Just checked mine today, and it's FUBAR. I'm going to get one ASAP. It's part of my "good for another 100K" program. Rock Auto doesn't have a Motorcraft unit in stock. Anybody know if the aftermarket units are good to go?
  • Whatchaupto wrote:
    How does a person go about replacing "the rear half of the frame"? Do you remove the bed and everything attached to it (bumper, wiring, fuel tank, hitch, rear bumper, etc.), cut the frame apart at the factory welds (if there are any 1/2 way back), grind the cut areas smooth, weld the 'new' frame section in place and then hope it is all aligned correctly? I just can't wrap my brain around this process. Don


    For many years ford pickups were made with a two piece frame riveted to gether at the front hanger of the rear spring. You cut the rivets and bolt it back together.
  • How does a person go about replacing "the rear half of the frame"? Do you remove the bed and everything attached to it (bumper, wiring, fuel tank, hitch, rear bumper, etc.), cut the frame apart at the factory welds (if there are any 1/2 way back), grind the cut areas smooth, weld the 'new' frame section in place and then hope it is all aligned correctly? I just can't wrap my brain around this process. Don
  • That was one of the first things I checked on my '12. The whole unit is plastic now. While I was there I applied some electrical grease to the connector. Corrosion in the connector is another problem I see around here. I also encourage my customers to wash their vehicles at least once a month during the winter. The stuff they put on our roads here is corrosive and causes problems over time-electrical and frame/body corrosion.
  • Thanks for posting this. I have an F 250 gasser but will still check it out as those weather conditions are prevalent here.
  • Yes we replace these a lot. The truck will either not accelerate due to low fuel pressure or like he said, not run at all. I would just replace it as a maintenance item. Around 80k or so. I think expeditions may have the same relay/driver also?

    Thanks for posting this for the late model (04 and up) F150 owners! It is a definite must check/do!!!
  • I believe it's with the 04 and newer 1/2 tons. I read about the problem last summer on a Ford truck forum. Pulled the one out of my 04 1/2 ton and it looked like the one in the video. Another winters worth of salty roads and mine would have corroded completely through.
  • I have a '97 F150 with about 198,000 miles and the only thing I have ever replaced is radiator hoses, alt, belt, battery, plugs and the rear half of the frame because it was rusted completely in half. It took me a long time to find one in a junk yard that wasn't just as bad as mine.