Hey guys I am about to start on a project that I have been wanting to do for a while. I have a 1978 F250 ranger Lariat with a 460 in front of a standard C6 trans 2wd. I just bought a 1977 F250 highboy 4x4 with a 390 motor and the divorced transfer case but the body on it is junk. What I'm planning on doing is taking the 78 body and motor and setting it onto the 4wd frame and chassis. What I'm wondering is if the body will bolt right up to the frame? And if not what needs to be done to get it to work.
Thanks for the help!!

 

Ashton,

It fits but is not a direct swap. The front cab mounts are the same, the rear are different. Note too, the rear HB frame is narrower than the 2wd frame. The bolt holes in the bed will not line up between the two. Also, the HB should have the gas tank behind the seat, the 2wd tank will be between the frame rails.

I can't comment on the motor swap... the 460 won't bolt to the 390 transmission. Are you planning to keep the divorced transfer case or swapping for a later married unit?

I'm currently swapping a '73 F250 2wd body onto a '75 HB frame also, but keeping the 390/NP435/Divorced TC.

 

First off, are you sure its a 390, not a 360? its the same engine family, identical externally. None of the 4x4's from this generation ever came with a 390 engine, only 2bbl 360 engines. a stock 2bbl 360 isnt much of a powerhouse, not conducive to great fuel mileage in a highboy. the 390 was an easy swap into a highboy however, its been done to plenty of them. I would want to verify whether you actually have a 390, or just a 360....if you do have a 390, the option to keep it, or swap in the 460 is a dilemma, both are great engines for a highboy......if its a 360, id def swap in the 460. Either way, its not a direct bolt up from a 460 to an FE series transmission......More info would be helpful regarding both trucks.......where are your fuel tanks located, the aft axle tank if installed sits between the rear frame rails, behind the rear axle. factory midship tanks are located just behind the cab, between the frame rails. incab tanks( highboy) are self explanatory and behind the seat, and many aftermarket midship tanks are right behind the cab, yet mounted outboard of the frame rail, might even be mounted on both sides of a truck. the only way to ascertain 360 vs 390 is to measure stroke of piston.......

 

The HB did have a 390 swapped into it. I was planning on keeping the c6 that is mated to the 460 when swapping body and engines etc. One of my concerns would be if the c6 mounted to the 460 will hook up to the divorced transfer case via the extra drive shaft or the first drive shaft going into the transfer case. Another question is will the aft axle tank (rear tank) fit between the frame rails on the HB frame. From what I'm understanding from the posts the frame is more narrow and that would make the aft tank to wide to fit. Correct?

 

I'm having trouble figuring out how to post pictures. Any help?
This forum seems to be setup differently than others I have used.

Thanks