Body Swap
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
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Body Swap
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I was wondering if 1976 and 1978 bodies will fit onto each others frames. I have a 1978 F150 4X4 with a bad cab and box and was looking at a 1976 Ford F150 2 wheel drive that has a good body. Other than the front clip being different, will it fit onto the 4X4 frame? I want to replace all of it, the front clip the cab and the box. Any help appreciated. Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 182
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From: ohio
ok, as everyone said yes it will swap. but, I as i found out between 73 and 76 all is the same mech and elect. but between 76 and 77 there was a major harness change. i would recomeed keeping old harness to compare to new harness. i just did this on my sons 77. we replaced tec ab from a 76 and had to do a few wiring changes
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Heck no... not to me....A body swap is waaaaay easier than swapping drivetrains. Dimensionally, yes the cab and bed will swap. However and IIRC, the front crossmember is different on a 4WD frame than a 2WD frame. Plus, the steering box, steering suspension components, trans crossmember, and a multitude of other stuff is simply built and located differently.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
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Just swap bodies way easier. Hio is right. I've done it 2 times in 1 year LoL. if its 78-79 wiring might be a bit different. Just Pull the wiring from the 2wd Truck and use it in your truck for Front and Wiring to the rear(Do it while the box is off way easier..less crawling) Its simple when ya have 2 complete trucks 
Have Fun!!
Have Fun!!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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I put a 74 f100 body on a 76 f250 chassis. Kept the f100 wiring, both are 4x4. Had to redrill the rear cab mounts, and all the box mounts. Box was tricky, but just tape measured it, measure twice, or more! Turned out great! Had to shim a few mounts too.
Dont forget to check about vin and reggy..
Dont forget to check about vin and reggy..
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
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LoL ya I just run under my Cab vin Reggy so my trucks classed as a 78 F250 2wd (with a 77F150 4x4 Frame haha)
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Beverly
I put a 74 f100 body on a 76 f250 chassis. Kept the f100 wiring, both are 4x4. Had to redrill the rear cab mounts, and all the box mounts. Box was tricky, but just tape measured it, measure twice, or more! Turned out great! Had to shim a few mounts too.
Dont forget to check about vin and reggy..
Dont forget to check about vin and reggy..
Most likely your 250 frame is a high boy frame, they narrow under the cab because they were actually a dually frame so the inset was necessary for extra wheel depth. I've done a few of these and have had to drill new bed holes for this same reason. If memory serves me the frame is about 4" narrower on the highboy than the other trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 143
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From: Beverly
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I was wondering if 1976 and 1978 bodies will fit onto each others frames. I have a 1978 F150 4X4 with a bad cab and box and was looking at a 1976 Ford F150 2 wheel drive that has a good body. Other than the front clip being different, will it fit onto the 4X4 frame? I want to replace all of it, the front clip the cab and the box. Any help appreciated. Thanks!
If you carry all the wiring over with the 76 body you shouldn't have any troubles at all, especially if they are the same engines it would be plug and go for the most part. As far as your front clip the only difference is the core support, grille, headlight buckets, and bumper and you can swap your 78 stuff right out with the 76 stuff and still run the 78 looking grill. Having both complete trucks doing the swap is not hard at all and can be a quite fun weekend project for a couple buddies, sons, ect.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
I used that fact alone as a negotiating tool and the PO knocked off $500 from the asking price.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 133
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From: Arkansas
I just got done swapping a 73 cab onto my 78 truck. Wiring is a little different and the 78 had plastic ducting for heat and air instead of the felt stuff. It was all pretty straight forward but I know why body men get paid what they do. Getting the body panels to line back up is beyond my skill or patience level.
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