1980-1996 OBS F-Series: Radiator Support Issues

Just pointing out a common rust issue with 7th/8th/9th generation Ford trucks.
The repair is a labor intensive one, at about 3+ hrs (Longer if you run into issues) and expensive, at $175-225 for the Radiator Support alone; Not counting shipping.

[@edwardpapp]

Replacing the one one my 92 f150🤯

[@jimboardjr6387]

I just put a new core support in without taking all the coolers out, started doing it without removing the radiator but I decided to take it out plus it cost more than the core support

[@makeitbreakit7556]

Wish I would have seen this sooner. Cost me a Mishimoto radiator, fan shroud, fan, water pump, and clutch fan.

[@TheFSeries]

Dang!
Hate to hear that!

[@hanskinslo326]

Hey Wesley, I know you as Sidewinder 4.9 from ford-trucks.com/FTE, right? I am totally not looking forward to dealing with this on my '96 F150 4x4. My radiator support looks about as bad as yours, although I've not had any damage to my radiator, yet. Thanks for posting this video.

[@artfd3552]

The radiator support on my 2001 F150 rusted out as shown, but fortunately no radiator damage as shown here. However, the radiator bouncing around inside damaged the coolant lines to & from my auto transmission, meaning they had to be replaced. I bought the cheapest possible replacement at LMC - $108 tax included, no shipping since I picked it up at the warehouse. I removed my old radiator support in my back yard over the course of a winter, with LIBERAL use of an angle grinder's cutting blades and a special $5 spot weld cutter I bought at Harbor Freight. I painted all the newly exposed metal, plus applied many coats to the new support. As best I can figure out the inner fender metal is supposed to be removed to install a new radiator support. I didn't do that, simply bent & fold the support to make it fit, along with hammering it in. I did not weld anything, just used a great many nuts, bolts & pop rivets. Fortunately the main bolts at the very bottom of the support along with the massive rubber or polyurethane bushings which attached the support to the frame members was reusable - new ones cost about $70. Replacement of the damaged auto trans coolant lines was about another $70. Doing it myself saved me over $1000 in labor and restored my truck to safe driving condition. I really don't think there is any way to prevent this corrosion - the area where the rust was worst is almost inaccessible to any cleansing agent, short of removing multiple parts from the front end. Many junked F150's of this type will show this same problem.

[@TheFSeries]

Sorry for the extremely late reply:Your 2001 F-Series WILL have a different core support than my 1992.The fan/radiator damage came from the radiator support well, not supporting anymore...And when caught in a bind (Vehicle flexing, etc) it bite into the radiator.A common, and easy way to prevent the corrosion is to simply use old engine oil to keep it moist with the oil itself. Works great for vehicle frames also; but has to be applied 1-2 times per year, and WILL wash off at the carwash with strong detergent.

[@edwardjester5050]

Westley Cole will a radiator support off a 91 f150 fit on a 93 f150?

[@TheFSeries]

No.
1987-1991 will fit
1992-1996 (97 HD) is a different generation

[@TheFSeries]

No.
1987-1991 will fit
1992-1996 (97 HD) is a different generation

[@rueridge7597]

The core support would have absolutely nothing to do with the handling. It sure is hell cause lots of clunking and other stuff but all your steering is mounted to the frame

[@davidmiles4394]

If the radiator support Rod it out it causes the frame to fret Flex I have diet problem on my truck

[@cuzican8675]

Buddy there’s one online for 90 😂😂😂 200 bucks. Get your crap right 😂😂😂

[@00700556]

Well. This was what.... 7 years ago? That was the price of them back then. It can be verified but looking at several forums around that time period also. Pay more attention to detail before making comments like that