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1st Gen. Ram - All TopicsDiscussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.
I have been doing some "grinding" with a flap disc in areas where I'm working on camper tie down mounts and it appears that it hasn't lost too much material. I haven't gone so far as to make the frame bright shiny and there is heavy pitting. Some "Must For Rust" around crossmembers and mounts, then Zero Rust primer followed by a top coat of paint may be the plan. Either way it's a ton of work!
Comparatively your frame is FINE!! Just needs a little rust prevention.
I don't have any pics but a friend of mine parked and parted a 1975 W200 because the frame from under the cab to the rear bumper looked like Swiss cheese and in places was missing more than half the height of the frame from the bottom up.
Mine looks like the upper part of your frame. The plastic clips holding the fuel lines don't stay in the holes any more. I gotta pull the tank and replace the brake line before it breaks off the RWAL valve.
This is what a "bad" frame looks like. Around here (South Central PA) this isn't that bad. I fixed it by welding a new piece in and fish plating it.
After all the scaley rust was cleaned out. Rust beetle frass.
glad they don’t rust like that in South Carolina the worst rust I hafe to deal with is rockers or floor pan and will get another cab before I
deal with that