Friends:

Sadly the day has come where I must get some help in replacing the back half of my rotten out frame. It just barely passed our state inspection last year and this past winter's salty roads pushed it past being a safe truck. I believe towing anything significant could be a problem and I have the delivery of the new chassis on its way.

So, my question to you all is, since the gas tank must come out, is it worth a new fuel pump?

I put new springs and shocks on last year but what else would you recommend since I will have the frame and fuel tank out?

What kind of rust proofing would you recommend on the new metal?

Thanks in advance!

 

I'd say no. Replacement of the fuel pump is not difficult. There's a plate inside the cab you can remove to access it under the carpet; the tank doesn't have to be dropped to replace the pump.

As for rust proofing, I coat mine in used motor oil once a year or so. That said, if that's the route you decide to take then park over a big ole sheet of plastic with some shop dry all over to not soak the ground in oil. Pretty terrible for water sources within miles. Kills critters and pretty bad for people.

Alternatively, there are a ton of good products you can use. I think POR15 is one of the more commonly recommended ones. I've never used it, but I hear good things. Like the oil it has to be reapplied every year or two though.

 

Dragging this back from the dead, but, did you ever go forward with the back half of frame replacement?