Frame rail ripples/waves?

[goldenage]

Hey all - so, took the angle grinder clean-and-strip wheel to my '66 F-100's frame yesterday, and noticed something on the top frame rail between cab mounts (above the transmission crossmember). Looks like the frame has a slight "ripple" or "wave" (see below)- I can't imagine that the 3m wheel could have done this (right?), so I'm assuming that this is a pre-existing condition. Is this a normal thing / should I be concerned?

The frame measures to be straight and square otherwise, with a bit of a list to one side in the rear that I had assumed to be a result of sagging leaf springs.

[foodstick]

Thats not real unusual to see..

[64 f100]

Have you done any checking to see if the frame is bent?

Rich

[tomrooster]

should I be concerned? No in my opinion , that metal is so thick I can't see a problem Tom

[slixtyfive]

My '65 has the same thing. I never thought anything of it - I think it's just a product of the process for forming the rails...

[goldenage]

Hey, thanks - those ripples were hiding under dirt and rust, and I wasn't sure what to make of them at first.

As far as the frame is concerned, I've measured in cross-patterns around the frame, and everything seems square. I used a level on the cross members near the bed area, and all of them show that the truck leans just a little to the driver's side, maybe 1/8" to 1/4" height difference between the two frame rails. No sign of bends or dents in the frame. Given that the sagging was on the driver's side where all of the extra weight usually is, I assumed that the coil or leaf springs might just need replacing. Is there another way to measure if the frame has been twisted?

[Alan Mclennan]

Have you tried 2 pieces of 4 x 2 timber and put them across opposite ends of the frame, then get down low and eye them to see if they are level with one another, but sounds like you don`t have a problem, welcome to the show by the way!

[64 f100]

My '65 has the same thing. I never thought anything of it - I think it's just a product of the process for forming the rails...

Noticed your comment on stupid. Reminded me of a friend of mines comment. " What's the sense in being stupid if you can't show it once in awhile." Personally, I believe we all have our moments.

Rich

[slixtyfive]

Yeah, I'd agree that we all have moments.

That is Roger Radley's catch phrase so to speak. He's a comedian with a whole segment on how society has changed in a manner that protects people who do stupid things from 'feeling the effects' of their actions. The phrase is basically saying that without that 'pain' we don't learn our lessons and continue to do the same stupid things over and over.