How easy to bend I Beam?

[flyboy71]

When I got this donor truck it had been hit in the front corner. The frame horns were bent and the body was crumpled. Now I have it down to the frame and pulled the suspension and the drivers side I beam is bent worse than I expected. The mount bracket on the passengers side is bend a little but isnt too bad and isnt cracked. Im surprised how straight the frame is at the engine mount crossmember. Anything I should be looking for other than a straight frame if I intend to use it?

[flyboy71]

I might reuse the frame. I kinda hate not to considering how good of shape its in apart from where it was bent. I straightened the frame horns forward of the engine mount but from there back everything seems to be good. I have a front end from my 71 I can bolt in and one from a 79 also. I just wanted to share the bent beam since I was surprised how bent it was. I figure the PO took a nasty whack when he was hit. I think the beam just buckled under the engine mount crossmember but the body and frame absorbed the rest. These trucks are definately built tough.

[averagef250]

I'm surprised it's bent that bad too, must have hit the wheel just right. I bent straightened the front frame horns on my 70 F100 twice in the time I owned it, didn't take much to bend them or straighten them back, but the beams never flinched.

[fordman]

that is bent pretty good. i seen one the other day that was bent the other way. i should have taken a picture but i didnt.

[f100fordtruck]

Is this the truck that got hit by the texter?

[flyboy71]

Yeah Im pretty sure thats what Todd said happened.

I have the frame stripped and did some straightening. It seems the frame isnt too bad.