Well, Ford has recognized this problem and has a TSB on it. I called Tech Service Hotline today and they spoke with the F-150 guys. The fix is a reinforcement plate and special adhesive. Trust me, Ford uses some wicked adhesive! The kit was expected out last month, but I was told to expect it any day now! Next week I'm gonna check to see if it is available yet. I'll keep everybody posted.

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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!

 

yeah but can I get some put on before the crack shows up?

Thank God!!

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'99 XLT S/C 4.6Romeo, Auto, 3.55 LS, Oxford White, Dark Graphite int., Tow Package, Orlando appearance package (Body color honeycomb grill, mirrors, and Lariat wheels) Gave up on the captains chairs!! I'll live with the 60/40 for now
I am taking my Bucs front license plate off until they dump Trent Dilfer again!

 

I don't know if this is gonna be a preventative or a fix. I imagine if you go to your dealer and complain they could do it for you to prevent this from happening.

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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!

 

I wonder if they would do a preventative retrofit on the '99 models too?

BTW, if anybody is concerned about the use of adhesives... Don't be. Many of the planes we fly on are held together with adhesives.

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 10-14-1999).]

 

Dennis...
EXACTLY! US ARMY Helicopter rotor blades are held together by 1) HEAT 2) Pressure 3) and GLUE. I was in shock when they told us in flight school. No rivots or screws either.

Extremely solid and durable adhesives to say the least.

 

Typo, it's not a TSB, it's an SSM. They are going to make the repair a TSB. Talked to tech hotline today. The 'repair' is still in durability testing and not available as of yet. For a quick fix the dealer will replace the door panel, but it will crack again. I asked what exactly is causing the door to crack. Apparantly the metal is just not strong enough for the stress it's under. They didn't elaborate on what exact 'stress' is causing the crack, I assume it's using the window, since you can see it bulge there when you put the window up. I just noticed a good size crack on a '99, so nobody is immune. Apparantly '00 will have this problem too!

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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!

 

The Special Service Message regarding the drivers door crack is number 13238. It states that for immediate customer concerns the panel is to be replaced. Although I would tough it out until the reiforcement kit is available since your new door skin will also crack.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, Ford bedliner, and Lots of TLC!!

 

Sycoholic, post that you work for Ford in your signature so all the newbies will know.

 

Great....my new truck listed below, is due in next week, and I too get the "crack". You'd think that Ford would have the sense to fix it ASAP on new production models. I'll probably have piston slap, and the rain gutter crack too. I've been trying to find out what transmission I'll get....see Trouble in Tranny Town.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

Great....my new truck listed below, is due in next week, and I too get the "crack". You'd think that Ford would have the sense to fix it ASAP on new production models. I'll probably have piston slap, and the rain gutter crack too. I've been trying to find out what transmission I'll get....see Trouble in Tranny Town.

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2000 F-150 4x4 SuperCab XLT, 5.4 liter Triton, automatic, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, Amazon Green / Silver.

77 Bronco, 64 Falcon

 

Well I just found out 2 weeks ago that I have it, I'm gonna go to the dealer and see what they say.

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Patrick aka Mudder
Arlington Texas (DFW), member of Fordified.
Mudder,Black 98 Styleside S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 3.55ls, Magnum bug shield, Grizzly roll bar,2 Baja lights, 4 165 watt KC lights (I can light up the night with these), Manik grille guard, Westin step bars,Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster dual exhaust, K/N air filter, 265/75/16 BFG AT/S, American Racing Baja wheels, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, a F150 Online sticker, and a Stone Cold sticker on the front windshield . More to come for the 3:16 machine: Ramsey Pro 8000 winch is here, and will be on as soon as the hidden kit gets here, 4 more KC lights, shocks, and tail light guards. If you would like to see pics, email me at mudder46@hotmail.com or see pics at me and pony's new website www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/index2.html, and to hear the exhaust http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T005.wav





[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 10-24-1999).]

 

Well, talked to the tech hotline again. No luck on the door crack fix. The reiforcement plate is still in durability testing, and has been for 2 1/2 years. They told me no time soon and doesn't look good. Not what I wanted to hear. So I was gonna get the new panel put on, but guess what, my warranty just ran out. I'm thinking 97, 98, 99. Wrong. Try 96, 97, 98, 99. My truck ran out of time, not miles. *&$^*%$*^$(&%)*%(*^%.
Eh, besides it will only crack again, and in a few years I'll have a cracked door that is a shade off. ('cause aftermarket paint just ain't as good as factory.)

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, Ford bedliner, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

It's getting awfully close to time for a massive class action suit against Ford. They are apparently holding the fix until all trucks affected are out of warranty!

 

if you make a claim while under warranty and state that you want to wait for the actual tsb and not just replace the skin, then they should fix it regardless of warranty when the tsb is ready, right??? call the customer care center!

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David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
3.73, 4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTO,
139wb, Medium Red Tor.,
Rhino, K&N, BugGuard,
RainGuards, Superchip
f150online sticker!!! GET ONE NOW!