Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

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Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
As you probably know, I'm designing a rear bumper for my '85, and it'll have tow eyes, a receiver for a trailer hitch, and a spare tire carrier.

But I'm wanting to make this a generic item that will fit all Bullnose trucks.  Toward that end I measured Dad's truck and compared the measurements to those on Big Blue.  And I found things pretty close, as shown below, but I would like your help in making sure these measurements are correct.  Here are my questions:

Are the holes in side of your truck's rear frame, the ones for the bumper, in the same place when measuring from the rear and the top of the frame.  (It appears to me that the bed, and therefore the top of the frame, is the reference point.)

Do you have holes in the bottom of the frame?  If so, where are they located when measuring from the rear of the frame?  (I'd assumed that the holes in Big Blue were factory holes, but since the ones in Dad's frame aren't even close to those in Big Blue, I'm starting to think they were both drilled to accept a hitch.)

Any and all help would be appreciated!  


Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

ScubaSteve
When I installed the hitch on my 86 I had to drill at least two holes maybe 4  can’t nt really remember. I will take some measurements for you, but I will not be near my truck till the weekend.
1986 F150, XLT Lariat, 5.8, AOD, 8.8 limited slip, 4.10 gears
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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I will still need the help come the weekend.  Thanks!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

85lebaront2
Administrator
I'm not sure Darth's will help, but will be glad to measure, the rear bumper and V5 hitch were on there when I bought him in 1994.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I would love to get input on all the different frames. Thanks.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

85lebaront2
Administrator
In your inbox sir Frame height was measured top to bottom outside the flanges.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Steve83
Banned User
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
Gary Lewis wrote
But I'm wanting to make this a generic item that will fit all Bullnose trucks.
At best, it'll fit F-series.  Bronco rear frame horns are different, and their bumpers mount differently.  These are factory Bronco bumper bracket bolts in their factory holes in my original '83 frame:



That bumper also fits the '93 frame it's on now, so all '80-96 Broncos have the same rear frame horns.





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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I hadn't thought about it, but you are right - Bronco's use the same bumpers but take a different bracket than the pickups.  That certainly limits the trucks it'll fit.  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Rembrant
Gary,

Do you have any drawings that show the measurements of the truck frames? (like the one Steve83 posted above for the Bronco)

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Jein.  We have a document that appears to give any dimension you want, but it isn't quite like that one.  It is the 1985 Body Builder's Book here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1985-body-builders.html.  See if it helps.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Rembrant
Gary Lewis wrote
Jein.  We have a document that appears to give any dimension you want, but it isn't quite like that one.  It is the 1985 Body Builder's Book here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1985-body-builders.html.  See if it helps.
Gary,

There is some really great info in that documentation, but I don't see the info that I'm looking for. Maybe it doesn't exist, but what I'm curious about is the location of the body mount holes, and the dimensions to check/measure the frame for straightness, particularly the front end of the frame, from the main engine cradle/crossmember forward. If it doesn't exist, then no big deal, I just figured I'd look around (and ask).
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Sorry, but that's the best info I have.  But you can do as I did to check the front of the frame.  I measured between the frame rails at each crossmember and then ran a string down the center marks.  It easily showed how the front was off.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Rembrant
Gary Lewis wrote
Sorry, but that's the best info I have.  But you can do as I did to check the front of the frame.  I measured between the frame rails at each crossmember and then ran a string down the center marks.  It easily showed how the front was off.
Ok, that's not a bad idea Gary, I'll try that.

Out of curiosity, what did you do to straight yours if it was off?
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Help On Rear Frame Dimensions

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Cory - It is all in Big Blue's Transformation thread.  But start reading here: http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Big-Blue-s-Transformation-tp28014p35345.html.  You'll find that I used a come-along and three chain/boomer combo's, like this:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI