Okay, I'm in the early planning stages here but wanted to see if somebody has done this or has any insight. I did a search and didn't come up with anything.
I have a nice 97 F350 Reg cab SRW 4x4 with an EFI 460 and E4OD in it. I've always loved the 65-66 F100s. Their wheel bases are within an inch or two of each other but I don't know about the width. Has anybody tried to swap a 65-66 long bed body on to a 95-97 chassis? I'm not too worried about electronics; I won't keep the factory EFI or many of the power accessories. And I know body mounts will have to be fabricated. I just want to know if it is physically possible to mount the body on the frame and over the drivetrain, if it has been done and what I can expect once I get into the project.

 

If you have a driveway and a plumb bob you can map out the difference on it. Align the body centers, axle positions, cab and bed seams to get a rough idea.

FYI the grey hairs aren't the ones to watch out for. It's the blue hairs that scare me more.

 

Yeah, good thought but I haven't bought a 65-66 body yet. I did take wheelbase measurement a few years ago and I believe the new truck was about an inch and a half longer. Nothing that couldn't be worked with. I know with time and money anything is possible, but I was trying to see if it was practical (i.e. has someone done it before).

As a note, I had bought the 78 with the plan to do this swap but an old lady put out in front of me. I swerved to miss her and side swiped a Saturn. The little car was totaled but it didn't look like there was much damage to the old Ford. That is, until I realized the steering box was setting on the ground and the frame was tweaked just enough that it wasn't worth messing with. No reason to spend two grand on a thousand dollar truck. The best thing is the old bat left so I couldn’t get her insurance. Hell, I don't even think she realized what she had done. So I my insurance had to pay for the Saturn and I was left with a busted truck and nobody to pay for it.

The one ton would be better anyway. Bigger axles, better brakes, overdrive trans and I get the joy of wading into waters that nobody has swam in before. Keep an eye out. This project is years down the road but if it is possible I am going to do it.