frames
Eventually I may get info about the frames on trucks other than the F150's, but for now info on the F100/150's is all I have.
Anyway, the 1980 - 81 F100 & 150 trucks are unique in that they have "lightening" holes in the frame. In fact, Wikipedia says "In 1979, Ford debuted a brand new, redesigned F-Series pickup truck line, with the goal of maintaining utility while getting better fuel economy than its previous generation. However, drastic measures were taken in reducing weight, including cutting large holes in the frame; this severely weakened frame rails on 1980-1981 trucks, causing them to bend or buckle under load." However, that simply is not true and, hopefully, someone who knows what they are talking about will soon edit that entry. Yes, the frames do have holes in them. And, they are not as strong as the frames without holes - but the bulk of their reduced strength is in the horizontal direction, not in the vertical direction. And, it is in the vertical direction that the load a truck carries causes stress on the frame.
Having said that, Ford decided to go back to the solid frame in 1982. Some say that it was due to an outcry by clients, but I wonder if they just figured out that it wasn't worth it. How much weight could the holes have removed, and how much did it cost them to do that? Anyway, here's a few shots of the frame for Dad's 1981 F150 with 4wd and quad shocks:
Anyway, the 1980 - 81 F100 & 150 trucks are unique in that they have "lightening" holes in the frame. In fact, Wikipedia says "In 1979, Ford debuted a brand new, redesigned F-Series pickup truck line, with the goal of maintaining utility while getting better fuel economy than its previous generation. However, drastic measures were taken in reducing weight, including cutting large holes in the frame; this severely weakened frame rails on 1980-1981 trucks, causing them to bend or buckle under load." However, that simply is not true and, hopefully, someone who knows what they are talking about will soon edit that entry. Yes, the frames do have holes in them. And, they are not as strong as the frames without holes - but the bulk of their reduced strength is in the horizontal direction, not in the vertical direction. And, it is in the vertical direction that the load a truck carries causes stress on the frame.
Having said that, Ford decided to go back to the solid frame in 1982. Some say that it was due to an outcry by clients, but I wonder if they just figured out that it wasn't worth it. How much weight could the holes have removed, and how much did it cost them to do that? Anyway, here's a few shots of the frame for Dad's 1981 F150 with 4wd and quad shocks:
