Well i got a 1973 F-350 RangerXLT Super Camper Special with Factory Air, Brown Metalic Color. My grandpa purchased it brand new in 1973. It's been setting for the past 19 years and rust has started but very little, only surface rust, and it's only started within the past couple of years... Where I am going with this is that i have my 1978 F-250 4x4 that i rolled back on December 16 2005. I am using this truck to rebuild it. I have taken measurements and can use the cab and front clip. I know i can't use the bed because of the axle placement.

-How about the rear axle? it's a Dana 70. I measured the perch mounts and they are like 7 inches different. the Dana 60 from the 78 measures 47 or so center to center and the Dana 70 from the 73 measures 41.... how do i go about using this rear-end in my 78 4x4. i can't just reweld some new ones cause the hub to hub is to narrow, what should i do?

-Anything else i can use off of this truck to further improve the 78...?

-Any tips or suggestions that would make my life easier when pulling the cab and doing the restoration?

Thank You for your help in advance!

 

Hi, I think we need a little more info. I looked in your gallery briefly but will ask these questions:

You have pics of the rolled truck, could you post some of the 73 please? (even if you have started dismantling it )

Is the 73 a 2WD or 4x4?

Do you want to keep an AC system? If so, which system, the 73 or the 78?

What engine/trans is in the 73?

Would you like to run 2 batteries, because the camper special should have provision for that if the wiring is still good...

Can you get the 73 running again fairly easily? (drain the old gas out of tank and put fresh gas in, check spark plugs and spray WD-40 in clyinders, put blocks under wheels, hook up battery and crank 'er over )

If you get 'er running then you can swap motors if you want to, I'm guessing the 73 has a 390, way better engine than 351M unless you rebuilt the 351M...

Is the 73 a short or long bed? If long it should fit, your 78 pics looks like it is a longbed...

Keep your 78 steering column with your 78 trans, and the the 73 column with the 73 trans, Ford changed the neutral safety switch wiring in 78 on both 2wd and 4x4 I believe...

As for further improving the 78 I can't think of anything else right now, time to ping Mil1ion

As an afterthought, you're welcome!

 

-I'll try and get some pics today of the 73

-The 73 is a 2wd

-Yeah i wanna keep A/C in the truck but i might just go ahead and replace most of the system because my dad is a refrigeration specialist... has done a few of our backhoes.

-It has a 390, C6, D70

-Yeah i probably will run two batteries because i'm gonna use this truck on my job sites (own a construction company) for a maintance truck, (fuel, grease, oil, hydraulic fluid) I will be the only person driving this truck.... And i want this truck to be somethin i can take to shows too, not just a work truck, i don't beat my trucks up.

-Yeah i will fire the 390 before i totally tear it down....

-I'm gonna keep the 351M and rebuild it into a 400 and do a mild build, too many things i'd have to do to get the 390 in it cause of the mated T-Case. won't bolt to the FE pattern C6 cause of the tailshaft.

-The bed won't fit because of the Super Camper Special's axle in the rear is moved back about 6 inches or so to better help with displacement of weight when hauling a camper.... it's not your usual Camper Special, it's a Super

-And yeah i'm gonna keep the steering column from the 78 (wasn't very old), if i can, the cab is so crushed.

Sorry about the confusion of what i have... i know cause i have it... so i think everybody should know... lol. Sorry it was late

 

This file shows the Dana 70B has variable mounting spots.

http://www.dana.com/offhighway_syste...s/70B_axle.pdf

as does the D70-HD

http://www.dana.com/offhighway_syste.../70HD_axle.pdf

 

The 73 steering column will not swap out with the 78. If the 78 is mangled from the rollerover, check out a friendly boneyard. Trust me, I found out the hard way.

Good Luck!

 

-Dennis, The perches on the 70 are pretty close to the tires already.... did the d70's come in different axle tube lengths for standard axle configurations? Cause if they didn't i'll just pull it and weld some new perches and call it good.

-The column should be good from the 78 as the cab roof came about an inch and a half from the top of the wheel at rollover. But i dunno..... how would i check it to be sure it's fine....?

 

Dennis Also which axle do i have? i don't have all the axle codes or anything as the door had been taken off by a dozer years ago.... can i still get a build sheet from ford for this vehicle or is it to old?

 

Dennis Also which axle do i have?

Loaded question Going by the 76 shop manual.. Options were the Dana 70 and Dana 70B
There were 3 ratioos available.

3.73',4.10's,4.56's


i don't have all the axle codes or anything as the door had been taken off by a dozer years ago....

can i still get a build sheet from ford for this vehicle or is it to old?


Yes you can get a build sheet from Ford, Just mail,e-mail or phone them the Vin#

 

Thanks a bunch... anything you recomend me doing before i start tear down??

 

Grab a Pizza & 3 Beer and get ready for the Hockey Game........

Oh......... you mean for the truck ?

Get a powerful hand cleaner and shop towels for yourself ...and some Absorb-all for your garage floor.

 

Thanks a bunch dennis you've been a big help as usual. I'm gonna post some pics in my gallery of it tomorrow before i start.... this is gonna be a project i can tell. Know that there's gonna be a keg and a perminate pizza delivery boy at my shop... lol PARTY ON!!!!