Hi all.

I actually go to the 73-79 forum more often because I have a 77 highboy, but I thought this forum would be more interested in the 68-72 I found in a local salvage yard while I was looking for parts for my highboy.

It's a long wheelbase 4WD F150 with absolutely no options except air conditioning, weird. Big old 4 speed with an aluminum shift tower, manual drum brakes, manual steering, a boxed frame as far back as I could see. And a very cool front suspension. Twin forged radius arms with coils and a solid front axle, totally stock. The track bar is over an inch in diameter! This is the suspension that should be under the front of my highboy.

The body is totally shot but the chassis looks to be in good condition and complete, except for no engine.

The question to this vintage's experts, is this anything special, are there any problems that the boxed frame creates and is it worth digging out? (I noticed where I could see inside the frame there seemed to be some debris and mud trapped inside)

 

No F150's till 1975.

No boxed frames on F150's till 2004.

How can it have a solid front axle if it's a 4WD?

1959/79 F100 4WD / 1975/79 F150 4WD: It could only be a Dana 44 as original.

The New Process 435 4 speed was optional. 3 on the tree was standard equipment.

If it has Factory Integral A/C, the A/C controls are integral with the heater control panel.

Dealer add on A/C and aftermarket A/C controls are separate from the heater control.

 

umm bill a Dana 44 front axle is a "solid front axle".....that wording is correct...

 

Correct to whom? Not to Ford it isn't.

"Solid" front axle inre to a 4WD is not Ford nomenclature.

If you want an example of a 'solid' front axle, look at all the 2WD F500 and larger trucks, F350's thru 1966, other front axles prior to 1965.

 

correct to most people....solid front 4wd as aposed to an indepenet 4wd front....it might not be technicaly correct (like my spelling) but if you say you have a 4wd truck with a solid front axle almost everyone will know what you are talking about...

 

Prior to 1980, there was no such thing as an independent 4WD front axle.

 

Definately a 67-72, definitely said F150 on the fender, definitely a boxed frame, definitely 4wd, definitely a solid axle, definitely a 4 spd on the floor, definitely AC integrated into the factory H/vac controls.

The frame reminded me of an early Bronco's. It's about 3-4 inches square. And as far back as I could see was just to the tranny tunnel. It isn't like any old F series frame I've ever seen.

So this thing isn't supposed to exist?!?!? I saw it with me own two eyes, in that olive green color that was common to that vintage.

I just thought it was cool. Think I'll ask how much the next time I'm there.

Thanks, I think.

 

the boxed frame is a mod. a solid axle cant be 4wd? lol, ok. technically, how can an "solid axle housing" not have gears, and axles in it?

 

The frame isn't modified. No backyard mechanic would be able to do what constituted boxing that frame, which was two formed and pressed C-channels welded together to form the box.

And I don't want to get into a discussion on semantics. The english language is flexible enough to include the term I used, "solid axle", to describe what it is, if you're not inclined to pedantry and/or intentional obfuscation.

Admit it to yourselves, you guys knew what I was talking about, you're just being difficult and superior.

And that is all I'm going to say about that.

And just to clarify things, when I say the frame is "boxed", I don't mean that you're gonna be seeing it in a UPS truck anytime soon.

 

peganit2, is the entire frame boxed or just the front section? I'm not trying to be a wisearse as I do remember at least part of the frame being boxed around the engine.

I understood perfectly well your use of the term solid front axle.

 

All I could see was the engine compartment, and it was boxed as far back as I could see, which was just behind the tranny bellhousing mounting face. It looked very much like an early Bronco frame.

Maybe it was a rebodied Bronco. If so it was WELL done. And why would anyone wanna do that? It didn't have an original bed on it. Were Broncos available with NP 435s?

And thank you for your support.

 

It is a possibility someone rebodied a late 70's Bronco. I've never owned a Bronco so my knowledge of the frames is pretty vague. The front clip and cowl section are the same as a pickup and the cab/rad support mounting is the same 67-79. The rear cab mounts would be problem but nothing a good welder couldn't solve pretty quickly.

I think the Broncos were available with an NP435. If not it would be an easy swap.

The F150 emblems are something I might do just to get a rise out of someone.

And you're welcome.

 

The New Process 435 4 speed was available on 1978 & 1979 Bronco's.

The Warner T-18 was also offered, but only in 1979.
--------------------------------------------------
C9TZ-5005-E .. Frame-C Channel / Depth: 5.92" / Width: 2.25" / Fits 1969/72 F100 4WD 131" Wheelbase

The frame ID number is on the right side outer rail, about 1' behind the frame horn.

The number will read something like this: C9TA-EZ. Below that will be the actual build date.

Info source: 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog / Section 50 / Frame ID & Application Charts

 

Okay,so its got a 67-72 style body,how about if you put "silverado 10" on the fender,would that make it a chevy? If you continue to argue that it is an F150 rather than an F100,which ford did not build that early(refer to Numberdummy's post,he has a little knowledge on this)and has a boxed frame,how can you possibly know that its all stock,no options.... since it is a combination that ford never built!
If you have an actual highboy,its an F250,right?
are you planning on pulling the front leaf springs,8 lug axle,and related hardware to install a 1/2ton front axle with 5 lug wheels...... Im the proud owner of a 1972 F250 4wd camper special highboy,with power steering and an NP 205 transfer case,its got a 390 4bbl engine... ive seen it with my own two eyes! Problem is,Ford didnt build F250 camper specials in 4wd in 1972,Ford didnt put 390's in 4 wheel drives in 1972,they didnt even put 4bbl 390's in F-series trucks in 72,they didnt offer power steering on 67-72 4wd F-series,same with np 205's,they used dana 24 instead... the moral of this story my 72 body is on a 75 chassis,and its got a 1960's passenger car 390 in it........... Come on dude,dont argue this one,you are wrong!

 

Dude, I can accept numbers dummies superior expertise, but your snide, arrogant opinions are irritating and useless. I came here looking for the information, if you bothered to read all that I posted on the subject, and found out that this truck isn't supposed to exist. But there it is. I know it does happen. I am going to double check it, of course.

I trust my own judgement above some snide, anonymous, disrespectful twerp. Like a teenage girl driver, all badass in her anonymous little getaway car.

Another example of the weak internet mind; setting up straw men to knock them down. When did I say I was gonna put the axle from an F150 under my f250. I just know inferior geometry when I see it, and the buggy spring front suspension is just that.

FYI, I was skeptical of your post from the opening sentence and then I stopped reading it after the straw man comments. Useless. And all further posts by you will be ignored too.