Frame rot unusual spot?

So I wanted a new frame I think? Doing my after winter frame rot inspection and found this in the front cross member.

Think this qualifies for a frame? Guess I didn’t do very good here, but the rest of the frame looks pretty good. I’ve worked pretty hard to not let it go and now am covered til March 2020.
This is a Vt truck 08 with 163k.
I’ve stabbed around with an all and it’s solid. Yes I’ve got rust but nothing like the rotten frames I’ve seen.
So guess I’m asking if this qualifies so I can skip my clean and coat. The floor is hard and I’m old.
Been a member since 2011 and TW has been a huge help for things that needed to be done or just wanted to be done.



A few pics of frame today after 7 months of crap winter and salt/salt brine.

Thank you TW!

 

Yes I believe that would be considered frame. When new ones come in that is a welded crossmember maybe if it was bolted on they might just replace that piece but I don't believe it is so yes new frame. Good luck

 

I was thinking the same.
Wasn’t sure if they were welded or bolted in place.

 

I would certainly take it in for an inspection. Can’t beat getting a free frame if they approve a replacement.

Also, I would stop treating it or coating it. It’s already failing. Treating it may lengthen the amount of time it takes to get worse, and put you outside of a replacement.

 

This was kinda my intention.
If it wasn’t for that spot I don’t think I’d had failed in time.

 

Spoke with a guy at work who used to do frames at heritage in vt. He said it’s a fail 10mm and no shiny or tears around offending area.
He says it’s not a uncommon spot for rust thru, just a FYI.

 

So 10mm is the fail, or is that your rust hole size? This is why I don’t treat my frame. If my frame is still one that is affected by ‘defect’, then I don’t want to slow the process. I spray it down during the winter, but nothing more. If it’s gonna fail, I want it to fail within the replace warranty timeline. No point on putting a bandaid on a rotting flesh.

 

10 mm is the size hole needed to fail.

 

I debated that advice but in the end, my luck would have my frame failing one day after the 12 year in-service date, so I decided to be proactive and not "hope" to get a new frame.

 

Understand. I guess I feel like my luck would put me past the date by possibly extending the rust process. I will say, my truck has 76k miles and the frame looks really good. Rust on the welds, but that’s about it. Now, if the frame is still one of them that has issues, probably won’t see the major issue until it’s too late. They seem to rot from the inside then pop through near the cat converter.

 

Part of the equation in the debate was me owning this truck from day one. I know how well it been maintained, especially the frame so I decided to take action right away. My only regret is not knowing about Fluid Film earlier, but after the service advisor asked me if my frame came from the south because it looks so good after my inspection, I must be doing something right.