I bought a 48 Ford F-6 and I am thinking of putting it on my F-100 shortbox frame. The 77 currently has a 300 six which will stay with the truck. I was wondering if anyone else had attempted this sort of swap. I have seen plenty of frame swaps involving S-10s but nothing with full-size frames. Any advice would be appreciated thanks
I'm planning something similiar with my '56 F-600. Are you going 4x4 or staying 2x4?
From what I've researched this seems to be the best fitting Ford Chassis to swap too. You can get them at 117" wheelbase which is mighty close the the 118" of the longbed (least for the '53-56, I don't know prior years)
Here's a link to another member already in progress with his onto a '54:
You'll have to make braces for the cab for the back and the hardest part seems to be lining it up so the front clip is over the wheels right. Also probably have to cut into the firewall.
I haven't done it yet, but I'm working to... I might keep the F-600 chassis and swap out all the other parts, but we'll see.
I'm planning something similiar with my '56 F-600. Are you going 4x4 or staying 2x4?
From what I've researched this seems to be the best fitting Ford Chassis to swap too. You can get them at 117" wheelbase which is mighty close the the 118" of the longbed (least for the '53-56, I don't know prior years)
Here's a link to another member already in progress with his onto a '54:
You'll have to make braces for the cab for the back and the hardest part seems to be lining it up so the front clip is over the wheels right. Also probably have to cut into the firewall.
I haven't done it yet, but I'm working to... I might keep the F-600 chassis and swap out all the other parts, but we'll see.
Thanks for the response. I plan on keeping it a 2wd. I have another 79 Ford F-150 2wd parts truck laying around. I also have another idea to keep the stock F-6 frame, shorten it a bunch, put the rear axle off of the 79 and clip the frame and weld the 79's front frame. I would use a straight axle but there aren't a lot of trucks that used them after the early 70s. Going 4x4 would widen the choices out considerably for axles but I don't want to spend the extra dough on a different trans and a T-case. If any one has a 5 lug straight axle out there for cheap near central Wisconsin give me a shout
Does your F-6 have the regular or wider front fenders? If regular fenders than the tires will stick out slightly. I got my 1951 Mercury M-3 on a 1978 F-250 chassis but I've done extensive modifications to get it to work. I had to get the wider front fenders to cover my front tires. The 1977 front frame section is 34" wide and the 1948 F-6 is 32". You have to notch your inner fenders, make custom front cab mounts, radiator support and custom bumper brackets. I put at least 250 hrs to make everything work.
__________________
Nathan
You may have an Effie but I have a Emmie! TM
'51 Mercury M-3 Extra 5 Star Cab Dually "Faith"
5.4L, AOD, Dana 70 3.73:1, Twin-I-Beam
Built to play and work hard!
I had plans to install a 48 cab on a 79 f-150 S.C. with power steering and was advised not to do it. The steering gear sits close to the firewall and is at an angle making it hard to hook up even with u joints. I did place the body on it to see and it was as they said it would be . I believe the steering gear could be remounted more inline with some modifications . Other wise it sat on the frame good.
The F-6 has the same fenders as the F-2, so you'll have the wheels sticking out of the fenders. I think you'll also have a problem trying to use the 300 six in the Bonus Built sheet metal. The 300 is a longer engine than the stock '48-52, you'll have to modify the firewall and move the radiator to a more forward position.
__________________ Old trucks, it's a sickness-one I hope they never find a cure for! Bob Jones--Fat Fender Aficionado--
49 F-2 pickup/48 F-1 panel truck
48/51 F-4 flatbed (2 in 1)/49 8N tractor www.fatfenderedtrucks.com
Thanks for the response. I plan on keeping it a 2wd. I have another 79 Ford F-150 2wd parts truck laying around. I also have another idea to keep the stock F-6 frame, shorten it a bunch, put the rear axle off of the 79 and clip the frame and weld the 79's front frame. I would use a straight axle but there aren't a lot of trucks that used them after the early 70s. Going 4x4 would widen the choices out considerably for axles but I don't want to spend the extra dough on a different trans and a T-case. If any one has a 5 lug straight axle out there for cheap near central Wisconsin give me a shout
I don't understand what you are wanting to do. You say you want a straight axle? Is there something wrong with the F-6 front axle ? Or do you just want a newer one ? The 60s and 70s dodge,International,chevy one ton trucks all had good straight axles . If you want a straight axle , why not just keep the F-6 frame and up date it with power steering or what ever you want to make it more easy to drive ? Maybe I'm missing the point on what you want to do .
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I had plans to install a 48 cab on a 79 f-150 S.C. with power steering and was advised not to do it. The steering gear sits close to the firewall and is at an angle making it hard to hook up even with u joints. I did place the body on it to see and it was as they said it would be . I believe the steering gear could be remounted more inline with some modifications . Other wise it sat on the frame good.
I don't understand what you are wanting to do. You say you want a straight axle? Is there something wrong with the F-6 front axle ? Or do you just want a newer one ? The 60s and 70s dodge,International,chevy one ton trucks all had good straight axles . If you want a straight axle , why not just keep the F-6 frame and up date it with power steering or what ever you want to make it more easy to drive ? Maybe I'm missing the point on what you want to do . 
