Hey everyone, im sure there is threads for this somewhere on here but i am wanting to swap a 1978 f-150 extended cab 2wd body onto a regular cab f-250 highboy that is rough on the body and would like specific questions addressed, i am wanting to extend the frame to suit the new cab as it is a pretty nice condition lariat interior and panels on this pickup and need to know average cost by a professional to extend it if i strip it down for them and as well as what i would need to do my own work to modify the mounts to fit. Also need to know how much of a strength difference between the 150 and 250? I could do a 4wd conversion from the 250 to the 150 if most of the strength lies in suspension.. I am a beginner with good mechanical knowledge that wants to learn how to do this stuff myself but need a starting point so that i can begin. Any help is appreciated!

 

Also the regular cab is the normal style and the 78 is a camper special if that affects anything

 

Welcome to FTE Riley. What year is the F-250 Highboy frame? 73-77.5 and it has to be 4wd to be a HB. 2wd cabs do not have a removable trans hump, 4wd does, just so you know.

IMO if you need a 4x4 truck just buy one rather go thru all the trouble to make a 4wd. I feel the work does not justify the outcome.

F150 has a 5 lug 9" rear end and D44 front axle coil spring and radius arm front suspension. Pretty strong set up of you are running 33's to 35's and stock or light mod motor. And if you are not to hard on the skinny pedal.

F250 has a 8 lug D60 rear axle leaf spring front suspension and most have a D44 front axle. SOME F250's have a D60 front axle also. F250 yes a little more heavy duty and haul weight, but all depends tire sizes and how hard you use it, if you really need it.

All really depends on what you are planning or needing you truck to be able to do. DD light off roading on a weekend? Or hard core rock crawler, mud bog blasting chebbie eating Ford..!!

 

Its a 1976 f-250 390 4 speed 4x4 regular cab that has a very crappy body on it with the giant lockouts (i think dana 50, or heavy 44s as the pumpkin indicates 44 from its looks) and i want to put the camper special body onto it, that special is the 150 2wd 351 automatic extended cab. Sorry if i wasnt specific enough! Tire size will prolly be anywhere from 295-315s and trailers will be pulled (mostly going to be derby cars and off road machines). I plan on hunting and takin the scenic route once in awhile if you know what i mean haha. I just want to attempt to make what i drive look nice and be able to be somewhat abused. Got the highboy for 1500 and the special even cheaper (300 bucks from an uncle). I like to tinker so this would be a good project for me if i can figure out the best methods.

 

Ciwould like to stay manual but the engine i plan on using is a 429 and a c6 out of a 73 LTD with 105k on it and going to put holley 650 or 750 double pump on it with a mild cam for the 3 grand range as well as manifolds and headers if i can use this extended cab (backseat storage would be ideal as well) as it is suited up for automatic transmission so it would be slick as hell besides slight mods to motor mounts and such (in theory anyhow) i like my horsepower and the occasional mud pit even though my 82 bronco is the hellraiser when it comes to that

 

I believe...Rich would know better then i...your 76 has a narrower from. So the mounts might not line up to the 78?

Other then that you'll probably have to do some modifier work to the floor for the 4 wheel drive.

 

Sorry, didnt see the 78 was ext. Cab. Youll definitely have to mod the bed for the extended part of the cab will eat up that room on the frame from the bed.

It would be "slick as hell" tho! Definitely do a build thread if you go that route.

 

What i had in mind was to move cab mounts and an extension if possible to suit the 78 body to the 76 and scrap the rest of the 78 or sell for parts. If not plausible to do that ext. cab, i know a guy with 4 or 5 pre 77.5 fords with regular cabs but would still attempt to use the front clip and box from the 78 for sure and drill holes. the guys that had the 76 before me switched cabs on it so it has the fuel tank hole in the box that has been sealed off with a peice of metal and tank under box was removed and then i also have the tank behind the seat and i fill it on the cab and it looks like crap in my opinion. I realize a little work will have to be put in to it with cutting and welding and such which i like to do and i know better not to touch the frame when it comes to cutting and extending which is why id have a professional do this. id show you the pickups but i havent quite figured out how to do pictures on here yet. Are my responses good enough to help you visualize?

 

What i have in mind is to definately take the 78 front clip and box to use on the 76 highboy, i can get a regular cab if i wanted too, would really prefer having that extended cab and cutting into floor for the small shifter wouldnt be an issue, moving cab mounts shouldnt be a huge issue for me either as i can weld, just not to the level of bonding frames which is why i would have that professionally done. Basically need to know the major issues id run into and level of difficulty and what all would have to be done besides drive shaft and brakes in this swap in making things fit in the body swap, which after youre first post id go body swap rather than 4x4 conversion as i already have a good working 4x4.

 

The first post didnt show up til after i sent the last one so disregard whichever one of those because theyre basically the same thing in different writing lol

 

ND just posted...

33 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1961/72 F100/350 / 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase & Cab & Chassis.

37 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/79 F100 & F350 except as noted above / 1973/79 F250 2WD / 1975/79 F150 / 1978/79 F250 4WD / 1979 F350 4WD

Make the ext cab work on the frame and make a small flat bed on the rest. FYI "extended cab" or the term anyway, is what they are referred to these days by everyone, but in all actuality when you are talking 6th gen Ford truck the "ext cab" is referred to as a "Super Cab".

That way no need to cut the frame and go thru all that. I am pretty sure you will have to at least relocate a cab cross member.

 

Here is what a regular cab frame looks like with a "super cab" on it, you see that short flat bed...that is what you will have.


1978 1973 Ford F150 F100 pickup 4x4 pickup truck flatbed