I have a 1977 F150 ranger with coil spring front suspension and I also have a 1980 F250 with front leaf spring suspension. I would like to change over the f250 suspension to the 1977 truck. Is it possible?

 

Or......can I simply bolt the 1977 body onto the 1980 chassis? does it all line up correctly? I've heard stories that the early 80's "swiss cheese" frames are not nearly as good and I should keep the 1977 frame under the truck.

 

why do you want leaf springs ? you could go with a heavier rated coil with what you have ..

 

the 77 has a 6" lift with blocks in the rear and heavier coils in the front with the lift built in, and it's fine but the 80 suspension has an 8" lift arced into the springs. It's also got the overloads and what-not with it. (I think there's 11 plies in the rear and 6 in front), plus it has Dana rears with posi.

 

It's your truck but I would keep the 77 as is and build the 80's truck with an 80's body as long as the frame is solid .. The 77 f150 frame although not swiss cheese is still not a heavy duty frame ..

 

I agree that the 80 frame is much more substancial. It's a curiousity. With the truck being a toy, it would be cool to put the bigger suspension under it. I thought that if I put the 77 body on the 80 frame, it would probably be easier, but I'm not sure about mounts and what-not. I'm all for doing some alterations, but I don't want to be making changes that I cannot reverse later on.

 

I'm not sure why you would want to do this. It sounds like it would just be easier to build up the 80 F-250. I don't see it being worth the time or effort to convert the 77 to a leaf sprung front end. Just lift the 77 more if that's what your going for. No need to cannibalize the 80 just to lift the 77 a few more inches...

 

the body on the 80 is horrible. Nothing to save. The 77 body (and frame) is in really good shape although its already completely torn down. I like the looks of the 77. none of the newer ones compare. I can keep the 77 as is and all would be good, just thought that it would be cool to have that rediculous suspension under it.

 

if it either cant be done without some serious modifications, or it poses some other sort of issue, I'm cool with leaving it as is, but the 1980 is going to the junkyard so I'm just looking to get all the neat stuff incorporated into the 77

 

A few questions first...

Just because it hasn't been stated, we are dealing with 4x4 trucks right? And if so then what axle do you have in the front of the '80 F250?

I think the bed is a direct swap. The cab mounts on the frame of the '80 would probably need to be moved to mount the 77 cab.

Are you swapping just body and suspension or motor and transmission too?

 

both trucks are 4WD, yes. I'll have to look to see what axle I have in the front. I don't know off hand. The plan was to keep the 1980 frame, suspension, motor, trans, etc, and mount the 1977 body, core support, etc onto it.....if I can't get the leaf spring suspension on the 1977 frame.

 

I will save the 1977 drive train, frame, etc just in case something comes up, but this seems the easiest to accomplish. I know that the 77 frame is narrower in the front that the 80. this would make it difficult to mount the front leafs on the frame, however it almost looks like the springs are wide enough to fit on the outside of the 77 frame rather than the inside of the 80 frame. I could just relocate the mounting brackets if it doesn't screw up the suspension lining up with the body. the rear looks as if it would bolt right on.

 

The 80 will have a ttb front(unless something else has been swapped in) axle which IMO is going WAY backwards compared to the solid d44 front in your 77. 8" lift leaf springs will be incredibly stiff, the 77 with coils will ride much better, even with hd lift springs. The rear springs should swap directly over from one truck to the other. I see no gain to the amount of work required to do a body swap, but they are your trucks so swap away!

 

The solid axle/ suspension in the 77 is superior to the 80. The value of the 77 is ruined with this swap. Way too much fabrication. Nothing will line up foreword of the bed.
Please don't do it. Haha

 

where's the adventure??? I hear you guys...sounds like keeping the 77 stuff is the way to go. How about the motor and tranny? they should be universal-ish. have a 400 in the 77, but it needs rebuilt. Have a built 351 in the 80.