Just a curious question...I have a '74 F100 I picked up recently, Cab is in great Shape, no rust, no major dings, no bed, over all great shape...I am looking at a '75 F250 Flat bed that the cab is, well lets just say it has seen better days...both sides of the rear of the cab are dented and beginning to rust, the drip edge over the doors are rusted, no mirror or door handle on the passenger door, plus it is a baby poop green color...it has a 4 speed in the floor...Swapping the bed over to the '74 could be an option, but it has a 351C with an AOD transmission. Also it would have to be a complete re-wire from front to back, so my Questions are this...

Questions:
1. How difficult would it be to pull the cab off the '75 and replace it with the '74 cab?
2. The '74 cab has a clutch in it, but was converted to an automatic, so I would just need to hook up the clutch?
3. What else would I need to do? Other than hook up the electrical etc...

 

This should be a fairly easy swap. The manual transmission cabs had the center hump pans that can be removed. The automatics (unless 4x4) had integrated center humps which means they'd have to be cut out in order to fit the manual tranny or 4x4 center pan. Easy enough to convert though. Do you know what the PO did to convert the manual to auto with the center pan? Either way, you can remove the center pan from the 75 and put it in the 74 for the manual transmission. The mounting should be a direct bolt on unless the 75 F250 is a 4x4 but even then that is easily converted too by just drilling holes. Since both are early cabs the electrical should be the same and the steering column should be the same. You'll just remove whatever you need to from the 75 for the cluth/brake linkage and mount it in the 74 cab. The only other things would be if one had A/C or not.

 

its pretty straight forward. if it was me i would remove the rusty, dammaged cab first. (that way when you get to the good one, you will have experience). ive helped my friends do it 4 times in the past and its easy. have fun

 

I did a similar swap years ago. I just left the wiring harness in tact. But I did not have a AOD tranny to worry about. The '74 would not have come with a 351 C and an AOD, so you might have a mess to begin with. If the clutch is there, yes all you should have to do is hook it up. Even if it wasn't there, you just take the the bracket and all and it will swap right in. worst case scenario is that you just have to cut a hole if going from an auto to the manual, but even that is not a big deal.
My question is this, do you want the 3/4 ton frame and drivetrain??
I personally would stick with the 1/2 ton frame, as wheels and stuff are easier to find. But, if you do a lot of heavy hauling, then you might want the 3/4 ton frame.
As for swapping the cab if you decide to do so, there is basically a bolt in each corner, the front two are found on the outside in the cab mounts, and the back two are located inside the cab behind the seat. get those 4 bolts out, then either have a LOT of friends over, or better yet, get a tractor with a loader on it, and run a railroad tie or something like that through the doors with a heavy tow strap and just lift it off.

 

Well, I picked up the '74 to have another project, and my intentions right now are to put a flat bed on it...but I found a guy that lives close to me, that has the '75 (supposedly in good working condition, haven't went to look at it, supposed to Friday), I have pics of it, but that is all. The '74 originally had a manual, there is no carpet in it (guy was starting to restore it), but it is clean, and the center hole is plugged with a rubber piece, so cutting shouldn't be required.

My thought behind the flat bed was for taking the dogs hiking, swimming, running around town picking up this and that for home renovations, etc...
My thought was to have two sets of rails, one mid-high for everyday running around, the second set higher so the dog's wouldn't jump out and I wouldn't have to tie them off. (I have labs, and my male is very smart for some things, but he makes me nervous in the back of my '78, because I never know what he will do when we come to a stop light).

So heavy loads and stuff shouldn't come into play, but could be nice to have the option...and I would probably stay with the 302 and 4 speed that is in the F250 now, and pull the 351C and AOD, and keep in the shed until needed. Again, just thinking, not even sure if the deal will work out or not, but would like to have a thought in mind before going to look at it...

Here are some pics of both:

'74 As it sits today:





I do have the grill, and bumper for it as well, along with EVERYTHING thing needed to put it back together...and as far as paint goes, it is in really good shape...I think I could wax it, and it would be great...

'75 Pics I received today from owner

 

Went and took a look at it late yesterday...jumped in it, and it started right up, ran like a top. Drove great as well...Granny Low is SUPER strong! He is was asking $1,000; got him down to $800...just haven't fully decided if I'm going to get it or not...good deal or not? Whatcha guys think?

 

$800 seems a little high but ya know, it's really hard to determine price on these trucks anymore with the price of steel up. If the truck runs good and no problems with the tranny and brakes than it should be fine. Like you said the cab is pretty beat up. IF you want the heavier truck to have to haul things around I think the two would make a nice project. IF the price is right to you, than I'd go for it. You could probably sell those turbines for some decent money of the 74 and make up some of that Is the cab of the 75 just beat up? It doesn't look like it has any rust on it.

 

It has some rust where it is bent up, but primarily just in that area...there are a few spots on the hood, and around the drip rail...the engine is a stock 302, with a 2bbl carb, no PS, runs great, no leaks (that I could see), radiator was full, brakes were good, tires look to be brand new, bed was in excellent condition, super sturdy...just have to decide if I want it or not...

What would be a good price on a truck like this? More around $500?

 

Seems like the truck is a pretty good one except for the dents. I'd just say $800 would the the most I'd go. I think it's a pretty good deal especially since you've got a good cab to go with it an extra parts.

 

I've offered him a few items in trade, waiting to hear back from him....the more I look at, the more I like it...I will keep you guys updated in what I decide

 

My 74 is an original C6 and has the removeable trans hump cover. I think that theory applies to the 300/302 trucks that got the C4.

Josh

 

Can someone clarify this center hump pan a bit more? I have a '77 4WD Manual and a '77 2WD Automatic "parts truck".

Looking to swap the cab from the 2WD Auto to the 4WD Manual, and would like to wrap my head around this a bit more.

 

should be fairly easy other than hooking up the clutch stuff, i swapped a 78 cab to a 76, it was pretty easy, both were standard but they were soo different it took a lot of transfering parts between so i would just make sure both cabs have everything in them and you keep every part handy until your finished. mine i had to cut the rear cab mounts off the frame and add them onto mine, you shouldnt have to, but now i have four rear cab cushions! the wiring was the worst part, should be easier for yours, unless one truck had ac and the other doesnt or something major it shouldn't take too long.

Take the time to paint your firewall while your at it and undercoat the sonofagun too

 

The orange one is a '73 F100 2WD 360/C6 it has the removable center hump, the black one is a '75 F100 2WD 360/C6.
This also makes a difference when you're ordering capet. The "large" hump is removeable, "small" hump the one piece.

 

Good info about the center humps, but you guys realize this swap is probably already done since this post is a year old now.