Hey guys,

I'm in the process of replacing a core support in a 1999 Ranger. (I have a lot more respect for the people that work in body shops now)
I was just wondering how many spot welds need to be drilled out on each side. I bought one of those spot weld removal bits from Harbor Freight, and I wore both sides out after drilling six spot welds out.(Is there a better spot weld bit that I can buy?)
I was also wondering if a air hammer with the chisel attachment would make this job easier.
Then I need to know if anyone has used nuts and bolts to put the new core support back in place or does it need to be welded back in.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

Bump

 

i wouldn't use an airhammer to cut the welds. you will end up ripping more of the metal than cutting the welds, leaving you with a bigger mess. stock up on a few cutters, or buy a good one from an auto body supply store, not HF. I highly recommend welding it back together. the core support is basically what aligns all your panels on the front end, along with making the front end strong.

 

what he said

 

please take lots of pictures and keep a thread going of the process. i need to do this to my truck. where did you get the parts?

 

this link shows a few pics. https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...diator+support

 

you can get the support just about anywhere, i just bought one new from certifit. was sixty some dollars.

 

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Update}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} }}}
I got the old core support out and it was a b*tch to remove but it was rusted all to hell so it had be replaced. I went through 3 Harbor Freight spot weld cutters so far.
Those things are very cheap. Don't waste your money on them. I highly recommend buying a spot weld cutter from a auto body supply store.
Now I have to remove the inner fenders from the 2003 core support that I got from the salvage yard.
I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

 

you know what would have been easier....splicing the core/inner fenders somewhere along the inner fender. would have saved cutting all those spot welds.

 

I thought about doing that, but that would have required a lot of measuring and some good welding skills.

 

looking forward to pics, cuz im waiting to do the same thing.

 

I got the inner fenders off of the 2003 core support. (The one that isn't rusted)
The key to not wearing your cheap HF bit out is to pre-drill some 5/64" pilot holes in the center of your spot welds before you use the main bit (Using a center punch really doesn't work) and keep dipping your spot weld cutter into some cutting oil or just new motor oil to keep it cool.
Basically if you get the bit too hot you're going to burn it up.
I will definitely be posting some pics tomorrow.

 

pics man come on, its tomorrow already lol.

 

"Patience is a virtue"
Sorry for the delay, I worked till 2:15 AM on this SOB last night.
I will have pics posted in 20 minutes.

This was caused by all the salt than gets spread on the roads in Northern Ohio each year.




New Core Support before it was refinished

Old core support removed

New core support installed

 

omfg. I hope this truck im going to look at tomorrow or next week isn't like that. Its been sittin for 7 months and its also a northern truck with 190k on it

 

Looks great Brian! Nice work!

 

Just think how much money the body shops and the auto manufacturers are making every year because of salt.
(Is there something going on here?)

 

I sure hope it isn't rusted like mine was, but there's a good possibility that it is if the owner didn't wash the salt off.
Look at the underside of everything, especially the bed and the frame. (If it's a 4-door extended cab make sure you can open the back doors!)

 

Thanks

I'll be so glad when the whole truck is done.

(.)

 

looks great ... might do same for my 1993. Did the Decals come with the radiator support ?