Cracked core support

Got hone from some wheeling in AR. Finally got a chance to wash the truck, and noticed this. There was a tiny start of a crack before. But now it's pretty bad. So, I have a few questions.

1) Is this caused by having a heavy battery? (X2 Power) Would relocating it help slow the cracking? I've seen back and forth on the battery being the issue.

2) I've seen some people replace the core support, and some that rebuilt it. Any reason to lean towards either one?

3) This truck has 170k on it, and with high-ish mileage, and now the core support, im thinking about the future of the truck, do I keep it, or get something else. So, what other areas should I check, that could be caused by, or caused from these cracks? If I'm gonna rebuild the core support, I wanna make sure everything else is sound.

 

I'd drill and weld it....but that's just me

 

I swapped one in an F150 that was crashed. Pretty involved but straight forward, everything must come off the front of the engine bay, maybe fenders too. I’d say try to straighten it best you can and weld it or get someone to weld it or brace it with two plates bolted on either side.

 

As you said it has progressed but the initial weakness/crack was probably a single event.

 

Will that hold? I thought I remembered reading in the other thread that it just caused cracks elsewhere?

 

Im not a welder. Just a bolt turner and some grinding here and there lol. I do apologize if I spoke out of turn but I was surprised no one else chimed in. So, let me back pedal a bit. If it were mine I would be looking into swapping it I guess. But I also would go to a fabrication shop and get there opinion.

 

If you’re not a welder why not start, the truck is broken it necessitating it after all
And that may be cheaper than paying someone
Not to mention future projects

and that thin metal may not require the nicest strongest most expensive welder

this is my fear with adding weight there with dual battery instead of putting it somewhere else. JD now has bed boxes that can probably hold batteries.
Saw someone put theirs behind rear seat for same above reason.

don’t know if their inner fenders kit would replace this. Would for sure provide stronger battery mounting.

 

I believe you were under the impression that was my (OP) post, which is fine, as I am also not a welder. Admittedly, I've always wanted to learn to weld. I'm a machinist so I've always been around metalworking. However, I'm not sure if want to have a project like this as the one I learn on.

 

my bad
Yeah can always take it to a pro one time not that big of a job.
I feel the same way. Get sketched out about structural things like frame and suspension. Thinking of practicing start first on a cheap trailer see how that goes. Won’t know til I try

 

JD's stuff is very nice, and I have no doubt it's worth it. But way too rich for my blood.

 

That's not structural iron.

I've replaced several core supports over the years. It is a strait forward job, but it is also a pain to remove the old CS. There are dozens of spots welds to drill out, so it takes time.

It's just sheetmetal. Weld in some sheet metal plates over the crack and paint it and move on. It's not going to warp or twist from the welding. Let's not overthink it.

Seriously, if you are going to wheel the truck, you will have similar damage in the future. Might as well get a cheap MiG welder from HF and learn to weld.

We would love to have you over in the "anything welding" thread. We got some pretty bright cat's that love to help new welders on getting set up to weld on our Toyotas.

More money for a welder is not always better and HF has some very nice MIG welder rigs. They have really stepped their quality game.

 

I appreciate the encouraging words. Maybe I'll give it a shot. One of my only reservations, is I have some other issues that MIGHT be caused be this, or maybe causing this. My hood appears to be about 1/4-1/2" too high. It started on one side, then got worse and worse, then moved to the other side. I'll find some pictures of it shortly. I made a post awhile back, and a member mentioned that maybe my hood hinges were seized, and bent. I bought new hood hinges, but haven't put them on because I haven't felt like taking the fenders off. I guess it might be time though!

 

Yes, hood hinges can warp. If you using the truck aggressively, lots of bending and twisting can occur.

 

Probably gonna pull the fenders off this weekend and replace those hinges then. Hopefully it straightens out some things.

 

I 2nd the learn to weld option if it sounds like something you'd be interested in. basic wrenching and welding unlocks so much ... for the truck and around the house. Watch out though -- you're friends will start thinking you're strange as you start inspecting all the welds that you'll now notice ALL around you wherever you go.

 

Haha, that won't be a big adjustment. I already inspect tool marks and finishes on any machined part.

 

There's little bump stops on the front corner of your hood that you can twist down to help bring your hood on the front in line with your body work. Your hinges however, that's another can of worms. There might be obvious bends in the hinge or bodywork underneath the hinge that you can address.

-J

Edit: You can check the hood alignment thread here.

 

Based on what I've read over the years, a welded core support will just crack again in short order. Usually adjacent to the weld / original crack. One of the reasons I haven't done anything with mine yet.

 

Yea, those are all the way adjusted. Not even close to touching. Something else is definitely afoot.

 

This is why there needs to be sheetmetal plates welded over the crack.