How hard would this be to do? I have a completely restored 86 F150 2wd 8' bed std cab truck without a motor and trans, and my 79 f150 4x4 with a really rough body but excellent running gear and lift. I have been told by some that although thier outer appearance is quite different, that they are actually really close to the same underneath. Other have said only the box will bolt up. Someone else told me that the cab and box will but the front clip won't. I plan to install a 3" body lift at the same time to eliminate any clearance issues (and add some lift for bigger tires ). Let me know what y'all think!

Thanks

DanO

 

LOL I was just wondering what it would take to put a 73-79 cab on a 80-86 frame.

 

Anything is possible, once you break out the welder and the plasma cutter.

I do know the boxes bolt on, because I have seen them. I really doubt the cabs & clips will, unless you are willing to roll your own mounts.. I think a 3" would be manditory will something like that swap.. Hopefully, someone will have better news than I.

 

There are another set of bosses on the cab for fitting other frames 150 2&4 to 350 2&4 look in side you will see the blanks. You

may have to mod. a little.



You will have to change the frame ear mounts and fab. them. It could turn in to a little bit of a project but not impossible.

 

I am in the process of dropping a 90 xlt lariat cab and clip onto an 81 bronco 4x4 frame biggest job so far is floor cut out for transfer case. But even the floor pan is indented where to cut out.
the rad cradle and body mounts workout fine. I had a look at 79 rad cradle and even it would fit in a pinch.



GO FOR IT!!

IF IT WAS EASY WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T DO IT !!!


FLATDECK 82 82 f150 4x4 custom deck and alum boxes one owner 300 I6 built offy dualport 390 holley 3in exh

 

90 to 81 is easy (so to speak, that is). They use the same frames and cab mounts.

 

A bronco puts the rear cab mounts on the outside of the framerails, however, commercial chassis F350's and F450's also do this(you can just swap the x-member to a F150 one and put them where the truck had 'em), and, the 80-96/7 cab is also used on F600 and bigger, so, the cab is drilled for that too...

For a 79/80 mix, the chassis was widened 4" in 1980 so body mounting may be interesting...
The bed should fit, they only re-skinned the old bed in 80, instead of bringing out a complete new one.,

 

I have a 85 body w/ early 70' 3/4 ton running gear. I purchased the truck that way. no signs of any fancy fabrication.

 

Do you have any pics? I'd like to see that.

 

Tomarrow i could take some detailed pics. If i can figure out how to post then. New user. Any help on that would help!

 

If you hit the button "post reply" there is a button on top to link your pic to. I don't know howto tell you to u/l to the gallery though. I just throw my pics on my website and link to them.

 

I posted some pics. under 85' F-250 in the gallery.

 

hotmod046...

Saw the pics and thanks! How is your truck registered, as a 1985 or 197???

 

It was registered as a 85' . The garage that inspected it took it easy on me knowing it was running on early 70's drivetrain.

 

Thanks for all the info guys, I think this project will be a go, just gotta wait for a little warmer weather (cold still up in da U.P. ). Gonna do the 3" body lift, and if need be I will weld up some new brackets to put on the framerails in place of the other mounts. The body I'll be putting on is really nice shape and a nice paint job, so it'll be like having a new truck

Thanks

Dan