I have a 1968 F100 2WD. I would like to upgrade to a disc front end. Does anybody know if I can swap out with a 1982 F150 2WD front end if I grab the entire setup?

 

Dunno about 82's swappability but here's a ton of info on what Bumpsiders usually do:

Power Steering/Disc Brake Swaps
65-72 2WD PS & Disc Brake Swap
Classic Trucks Magazine F100 Power Disc Upgrade
Pirate 4x4 Thread: 9-inch Rear Discs for Under $100
TSM Manufacturing: Ford 9-inch Rear Disc Brake Kit
ND Gearheads: Ford FE with GM Saginaw Power Steering Pump Brackets
CVF Racing: Ford FE with GM Saginaw PS Pump & Alternator Brackets

 

bbcyb Welcome to FTE and the Bumpside Forum.

No sir, 79 is as far as you can go. If you have the 360 engine 76 was the last year for that. I'm sure you will want to do the power steering at the same time, so buy your donor and have all the parts needed.



John

 

I do have a 360. Longbed. 9" rear (3.25) 4 spd syn. warner. Currently the truck already has power steering. Unfortunately, the two boneyards that are around me I think the 73-79 range is hard to come by.

I am not opposed to fabrication, might investigate a crown vic front end swap

 

Here are links for your perusal:

Lowering, IFS, IRS & Suspension Related
Airbagit.com Axle Flip Kit
Paul Horton's Welder Series - DIY Mustang II IFS Components
Mustang II IFS Kits
Team 321's 89-97 Cougar/T-bird'Lincoln MN-12 Independent Rear Suspension Kit
Team 321's 89-97 Cougar/T-bird/Lincoln IRS Installation Article
Classic Trucks Magazine Thread: MN-12 IRS Retrofit
Fordification Thread: Kingpin & Suspension Bushing Replacement.. Lots of Pics!!

Crown Victoria Subframe Retrofit
FTE Thread: davewild's '78 F150
FTE Thread: elgemcdlf's '70 F100 CV IFS & MN-12 IRS
Fordification Thread: Crown Vic in a'71 F100
Fordification Thread: JG_F100's '72 LWB to SWB Conversion & CV Retrofit
FTE Thread: carcrafter's 67 F100

 

Okay, so after some browsing the internets I think I have made a few decisions...

I would like to swap out the gas hog 360 with a 4BT Cummins. The issue with this is that the engine is like 800 lbs and the even with the police issue crown vic front end, that is only rated around 700 lbs.

The other issue I am having with the cv swap is the drop. I dont really want to slam it, as I would like to still use it for truck purposes. I dont mind it dropping a few inches, but around 6" is getting a little much.

Since I will be getting pretty involved as far as fabrication, are there any other common options that are a little more beefy than a bolt on cv swap? I dont really want to mess with a mustang II front end either.

Cant I just grab the entire setup off a new Ford truck or something to achieve IFS?

 

common? Hm.... beefier than a CV is to graft on an early 90s C1500 subframe. Then you have the option of dropped spindles among others. Gotta get the rear axles re-drilled for the GM bolt pattern or get new new axles.

... a CV swap isn't bolt on. There is some fabrication involved in the thru-bolts, frame boxing, and the rear arm to frame brace.

 

Slow down, you need a lots more planning. These ol trucks were designed when gas was $.26 a gallon and mpgs were not factored in. Getting an OD tranny in can help a lot. You have to slow the engine rpms down at hiway speeds to get the mpgs up.

I'm sure with good design and planning you can get newer truck parts to work, but in 80 many things changed and direct bolt up was no more.


John

 

Take some measurements. Ford swapped to ball joints & the beams are different BUT they may still be of same length & mounting if you take the entire unit (radius arms & all). Watch for front or rear (of the crossmember) steering linkage. Your early truck has rear.

 

Does anyone know what year the f150 frame switched over to A arms and ball joints?

 

1997 was the 1st year.

 

80 and up had the steering in front of the axle, and the I-beams were unequal lengths.
I am running a 7.3IDI in my 69, and the front end is mostly holding up to the weight. A 4BT is lighter so wouldn't stress the front end as much.
There is a guy on here who put a bumpside body on a 2002 F150 chassis and then dropped a 460 in as well, it looked to line up pretty well. IMO, that's a better option as you gain a much stronger frame over the 60s one. That, and the narrow rear springs seem to be the biggest weakness on these trucks.

 

As I will stick with the 360 for now, what would be a good 5-speed tranny (auto or manual) to go with? I guess reliability and fuel economy are top of the list

 

For the FE, a TKO-500/600 5-speed. Automatic? Go with a built AOD, AODE or 4R70W.

You do have a job to pay for your big eyes, right? Cuz you're looking at an easy $3000 to $4500.... or more if you pay someone else to wrench.

 

The FE may be fairly reliable, but you're going to have to choose between an FE and fuel economy. While a lot can be done to get some more efficiency out of that engine, they were designed in the 50s and economical operation wasn't a point of interest back then.