Hole Ripped in Frame

[68ranger]

Put my truck on my lift to start putting on my new suspension this evening and found this gem. I have only had the truck for about 3 months. bought it new. Only thing I can think of is maybe a tie down strap during delivery to the dealer and a hook tore into it. Didn't find any other damage. Probably nothing that can be done at this point and I'm sure Ford would tell me I did it. Probably should put some rust converter and some paint on it to protect so it doesn't start rotting out the frame.

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[Sandman Ranger]

Worth a talk with Ford.
Get inspection. That was a good amount of force.
They can check to see if any issue and maybe check alignment.

 

[Apples]

I'm not a lawyer, but to me, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Bu all means, get in touch with Ford's local factory rep.

 

[Jake]

I also have deformation in my frame seemingly caused by tie downs in transport. Not nearly to the extent of yours though. A hole in the bottom of the frame just behind the passenger rear door.

 

[HenryMac]

Put my truck on my lift to start putting on my new suspension this evening and found this gem. I have only had the truck for about 3 months. bought it new. Only thing I can think of is maybe a tie down strap during delivery to the dealer and a hook tore into it. Didn't find any other damage. Probably nothing that can be done at this point and I'm sure Ford would tell me I did it. Probably should put some rust converter and some paint on it to protect so it doesn't start rotting out the frame.

That's just crazy! It's truly amazing just how thin the steel is on the 5th gen Ranger frames.

Have you ever had your truck towed?

 

[Tiny]

Well that will ruin your day, stay on it someone has to be made accountable for that damage, hopefully. It is getting to the point where you have to go over your new vehicle with a magnifying glass, top and bottom, before you sign the papers and drive away, and even then you may miss something.

 

[68ranger]

That's just crazy! It's truly amazing just how thin the steel is on the 5th gen Ranger frames.

Have you ever had your truck towed?

never been towed

 

[68ranger]

I'm not a lawyer, but to me, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Bu all means, get in touch with Ford's local factory rep.

i don't think there is enough damage there to cause any structural integrity issue. Maybe if you stressed the frame enough, like in an accident it might buckle there. I'm more worried about future rust issues if its not addressed now.

How do I find Ford local factory rep? I'll start with the dealer. If they just blow me off then I will start working my way up the chain.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

i cant see a tie down hook, simply holding the truck on the deck of the train, or the truck causing that damage.. these guys may be that dumb to ratchet it down past bottoming out the suspension, but highly unlikely. ..it makes me wonder what happened during transport to add that extra force. train derailment? truck crash??? what are they not telling you???

either way, its damage not typical and someone should be liable to cover the cost.

Hi RP,

Vehicles on trains are not tied down...they are only chocked with wheel chocks. Haulaway Semi car carriers do chain down vehicle. Certainly looks like a haulaway chain hook. Not sure this is a designed chain point...they are usually on the side of the framerails.

Likely not really repairable easily and maybe indicated...hit it with rustoleum.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Motorpsychology]

In one of my illustrious careers I was a rail car jockey at a GM distribution lot. We were the ones who drove the cars off the railcars and parked them in specific locations for the transport truck drivers to take them on to the dealerships. GM had just started using wheel straps instead of chain binders on railcars shortly before I left. I assume partly to avoid this kind of damage.
Truck transporters typically use ratchet straps around two or all four wheels to avoid frame or suspension damage. some still use chain binders attached to hook points because in some cases, the straps can stretch enough to allow slight back and forth movement which can cause the vehicles to bump each other repeatedly during transport; they are often loaded less than an inch apart on a trailer.
Yours looks extreme and I would guess it's probably not the only vehicle with damage that was on that railcar or transporter.
Definitely get Ford involved thru your dealer!

 

[Sandman Ranger]

Wife’s Hyundai Tucson had damage with hatch badge being pushed in. Did not see until I washed for all the curves on cars. Took it back to dealer. Did not wait for them to question and asked them to come with me. A transport just arrived with Tucson’s on it. Two of the vehicles lined up so one almost touched rear badge of a Tucson. Told them, this was the cause. Fixed in three days.

 

[Phrosty]

Put my truck on my lift to start putting on my new suspension this evening and found this gem. I have only had the truck for about 3 months. bought it new. Only thing I can think of is maybe a tie down strap during delivery to the dealer and a hook tore into it. Didn't find any other damage. Probably nothing that can be done at this point and I'm sure Ford would tell me I did it. Probably should put some rust converter and some paint on it to protect so it doesn't start rotting out the frame.

Zoom out a bit so I can see where and check mine. Thx. Mine was shipped as well

 

[HenryMac]

Zoom out a bit so I can see where and check mine. Thx. Mine was shipped as well

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that it's in this area.. where the body mounts are.

 

[wanted33]

Ummmmm Don, I don't believe I would let that go. I suggest having a talk with your dealer to let them know what you think. That's just sloppy work on someones part, and should have never happened.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Wow.. That's crazy.. Definitely would contact your dealer and Ford about this. There's no telling what that sort of frame damage will ultimately lead to.

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