Just purchased a 1955 F600 with a perfect cab. Also purchased a 1989 F350 dually with a great running gear, frame etc. 351W, auto, power brakes and steering also has a/c. thinking about putting the 55 cab on the 89 and also using a 55 f100 bed with inset fender wells like Dan Carpenter builds. Anyone have any thoughts on this? has it been done? if so is there any information that might help me from making some of the mistakes that will be involved in this build. Thankful for any information/thoughts you might have. Happy truckin.
Ken Nelson

 

Welcome to FTE, the best place on the internet for Ford truck info.
I'm very far from any type of expert, but many people have tried and many have failed with a frame swap. That being said, recently someone did it and made it look easy.

Here is that thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...4-55-56-a.html

Be sure to post pictures. Lots of pictures.
What is the difference in wheelbase between the two? That could be a big issue.

 

Measure the frame width of the newer truck and compare it with the cab of the '55 before you do anything else.

Oh, and welcome to FTE!

 

There are a couple issues with swapping frames; cab placement, front sheet metal placement, how the powertrain sits differently (can effect your floor and firewall) and having a step-side bed sitting either too high or needing to be chopped inside (frames go up higher over axle on newer frames), wheel base, frame width, frame shape.

It's do-able, but weather or not it's worth it is a whole different thing. Unless something is wrong with your chassis, swapping parts over will be a whole lot easier. You could swap in the parts off the '89 Pretty easily, a whole lot easier than trying to fit the '55 cab on the '89. Many people put in newer power brakes, there is even a tutorial on here somewhere.

You might be able to still use the original axles as well, they are tough. Biggest problem you'll have with them will be the gear ratio if it's too much for you. (You'll have huge pull, but your top speed will be limited)

Personally I would suggest driving the '55 around first if possible. Gives you a feel for the truck and what you'd like to see different for your use. Often it's different than expected.

To answers some questions to come: The F600 and F100 have the same cab, interior, hood, grille, lower valance. The fenders have a slightly wider opening and are slightly wider overall as well. Your chassis is not only wider and taller but made of thicker material than an F100. Putting a normal bed on it will require some heavy mods to the bed and some planning to make it look right, though it's been done. Wheel base is a factor to think of, mine had a wheel base of 154", an F100 has 110". Though 154" is actually perfect for a bed and a crew-cab modification.

Your running boards are different, slightly taller and wider not just shorter, and the running board brackets are also different.


Love to see pictures if you have them!

 

I was going to mount my 54 F100 cab on a 84 F250 4x4 chassis. The engine and transmission on the 84 ( would be the same as your 89 ) are set back like 8 or 9" farther on the newer chassis then the 50's chassis. This requires either moving the engine and transmission forward or making a huge firewall recess.

Then you have the frame differences. The 89 frame has a dip in the center ( under the cab area ) and the kick up in the rear. And the 53-56 front clip has some clearance issues with the late model frame that need to be taken care of. And like Stephen67 there is a wheelbase difference too. I shortened my 84 F250 extended cab chassis 45" to get it to match my 54 F100's wheelbase. On my 54 cab I completely cut out the original floor and firewall and started from scratch.


Here's a few pics of my 54 when I was mocking it up on the shortened 84 F250 4x4 extended cab chassis. Mine is a 54 F100 cab with 56 F600 front fenders and the box in these pics was a shortened 56 F250 box.








I used a F250 box because it's wider then the F100 box. On the 84 F250 chassis the 56 F250 box and fenders ( same as the F100 rear fenders ) were just about the perfect width. With your chassis being a dually you would need to widen the F100 rear fenders by quite a bit.


If you want to see some pictures of the F250 frame to see what your 89 frame would look like check out my build thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...4-build-9.html

The swap can be done but it's a lot more work then most people think it is.