I have a 1978 ford f-150 4wd short bed and I am thinking about buying a 1976 ford f-100 2wd short bed thats for sale locally. Mine is a 4 speed with the shifter on the floor and the 1976 has the shifter on the steering colume (not a automatic because it has a clutch). I was wanting to know if the parts on the 1976 model will interchange (minus the 4wd parts) with my 1978 such at body panels, transmission, rear end,...ect. Thanks.

 

The body panels will fit either one with no problem. They are both 1/2 ton so you won't have problems like the F250 of some years (high boys) have the framerails closer together I believe. The cab mounts might be a little different going from 4x4 to 2wd. Not sure about that one. Only have experience with the 4x4 in that part. The trans. might work depending on the engines, if the belhousing would bolt up. Might be able to swap the bell housings. I don't know why you would want a 3sp instead of the 4sp though. The driveshafts would probably be different, one 4X4 and different trans. The one 3sp 3 on the tree. The rear end would be the same, 9 inch, except you would want the same gears on the 4x4 so the front diff. would be the same. I think the short beds are a little harder to find so if the bed is good that would be a good thing.