My frame is junk! Fix it, swap it or what?

Upon closer inspection, I found a couple of very problematic rust areas in the rear frame section of my '47 Ford truck. Right in front of the spring hangers there were a couple of wooden blocks from the truck's life with a flatbed. The wood must have absorbed a lot of water over its life and the rails are really thin. The frame has some other issues, but nothing that isn't fixable.

So, now I'm running through my list of options. Is there a frame out there that is close enough in width that I can just use the rear section along with the front of the existing frame?

Another option is doing the whole S-10 frame swap, if I can find a cheap S-10. Downside of this approach is that I'll lose the money I spent on the front brakes. I read in the S-10 swap thread that there is an issue with steering box clearance?

My last option is to fab up a new rear section. I've tossed this around a bit, and I'm really not sure I'm down with doing it. I'm not scared of doing it, just lazy I guess. It's my own fault for not checking things out more closely before buying ch***is parts, but building the rear frame rails and all is time I would rather spend doing other things.

Any opinions or suggestions?

Tim D.

 

pictures would help gauge the severity off the issue.

 

Just fix the frame. It will be way easier then the other 2.

 

Think of it as an opportunity. Redoing the rear half lets you redesign whatever you'd like to redesign, incorporate any improvements you can think of.

 

yea,thats how i'd go....maybe 4-link ?

 

Either fix the stock frame or buy another stock frame thats in better shape.

 

Recently bought a 67 Ford 1/2 ton frame (short wheelbase because it is for the half ton) for a 46 truck I am eventually going to build. Frame widths are identical, the frame needs to be shorthened at the front and new cab mouns made. The steering box will need at least two new joints to hook up in the stock location.

 

I agree. Whatever you do, do it right. When all is done, it is the one thing that is hard to go back and do over.

 

I don't beleive an s-10 frame will fit. My uncle had a 46, and he tried to put it on an s-10 but the frame widens behind the wheels. the cab rockers sat on top of the frame. Looked awful. They fit well on Ranger frames. He s****ed the s-10 and put it on a 1984 ford ranger frame. Had to channel it down some to fit right, but it looked pretty good. Just my two cents.

 

Repair the old frame... box it at the point of the repair. Lots easier and nothing wrong with this approach.