How would you build this?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
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From: central illinois
How would you build this?
Ok I have two trucks that I'm trying to sell. Seeing as nobody has interest in them I'm stuck with them. Not to bad of a deal just I have enough projects but oh well. So here is my question to you guys. How would you combine the two trucks to get one good truck? They are 1986 F150 4x4 302, 4spd. Bad motor and body. Frame is solid but very rusty. The other is a 1980 F100 4x2 302, 4spd. Good motor and trany. Decent body and clean frame. Just the truck doesn't want to run. Not sure why but I will be looking into it. I feel it may be a fuel issue. Any ways would you guys do a body swap and motor swap to the 4x4 frame or swap the 4x4 suspension ect to the 4x2 frame. I do not have a lift but I have everything else needed. In the end I want a reliable 4x4. I don't care if it's carb or efi. Let me know how you guys have done with similar swaps. Like 4x2 to 4x4 conversions or cab swaps. Just so you guys can see picks here is my sale add. Easier then re posting pics.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-for-sale.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-for-sale.html
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
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From: central illinois
That's. What I wwas thinking. My only worry was the swiss cheese frame on the 80. I know many have said itt is still a decent frame. I may weld in extra bracing just to be safe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
The swiss cheese frame only has one weakness. In a crash, it can fold over itself at one the holes. Of course, any crash hard enough to do that, would also bend a regular frame as well.
There is one good point of those holes. It makes washing mud out of the rails a lot easier........
There is one good point of those holes. It makes washing mud out of the rails a lot easier........
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,199
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From: Missouri
While your at it you can put the EFI stuff on the older motor.
I would just swap the 4x4 stuff rather than swapping the whole frame, unless you want to remove the cab and the bed anyway.
I would just swap the 4x4 stuff rather than swapping the whole frame, unless you want to remove the cab and the bed anyway.
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
How many holes does this 80 frame have compared to a later frame? I think they all have the square hole in the rear correct? I thought they all had the oval hole behind the rear leaf spring as well. That leaves 7 round holes and the two larger oval holes, and I am still not sure if a later frame has any of these, but I don't see where it would make that much difference in weight.
I also just had a little class in how structural metals work. Most of the constant force on these frames is in the downward direction. In that case, you need most of the metal on the upper and lower portions of the member, and being it's a "C", it has it and these areas are solid. Putting holes in the vertical piece does not compromise the weight carrying ability at all of the frame. But as was mentioned, a sideways force could have an affect on it.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Texas
The holes in the frames aren't for weight savings, they are for added structural integrity.
Take the drop-off material removed from each one of those holes and weigh them all...what do you get, 6, maybe 10 pounds lighter? Not worth the effort.
They are dimpled holes with radiused edges, which provide more strength than just a regular hole drilled in a piece of metal. It's easier to form an open dimpled hole than just a recessed section to add the strength to the frame.
For example, take two thin strips of sheetmetal, say 20ga thick, maybe 4" across and 20" long. Drill five 2" diameter holes evenly spaced in each strip. Now take one of them and use a dimple die to radius the edges of the holes. Now take each strip and try to bend it in any way you can...the strip with the radiused edges will be much harder to bend or fold than the one with just some holes in it.
Anyhow, back to the main subject... If these were my trucks, I'd swap the 4x4 stuff over to the better frame, use the good 302 with the EFI stuff and have a clean reliable truck with a parts truck out on the pasture.
Take the drop-off material removed from each one of those holes and weigh them all...what do you get, 6, maybe 10 pounds lighter? Not worth the effort.
They are dimpled holes with radiused edges, which provide more strength than just a regular hole drilled in a piece of metal. It's easier to form an open dimpled hole than just a recessed section to add the strength to the frame.
For example, take two thin strips of sheetmetal, say 20ga thick, maybe 4" across and 20" long. Drill five 2" diameter holes evenly spaced in each strip. Now take one of them and use a dimple die to radius the edges of the holes. Now take each strip and try to bend it in any way you can...the strip with the radiused edges will be much harder to bend or fold than the one with just some holes in it.
Anyhow, back to the main subject... If these were my trucks, I'd swap the 4x4 stuff over to the better frame, use the good 302 with the EFI stuff and have a clean reliable truck with a parts truck out on the pasture.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
Tt is for weight savings. The frames are also thinnner metal. My 1980 F350 reg cab, long bed, 4wd, 429, C6 dual tank truck with me in it weighs in at 5200lbs. Show me any other f350 4wd that weighs in at that little.
The holes take away from the integrity, not add to it. If it was Dimpled, then it would add strength, but they are NOT
The holes take away from the integrity, not add to it. If it was Dimpled, then it would add strength, but they are NOT
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Elder User
Joined: May 2010
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From: central illinois
Sounds good guys Thanks for the info and helping me out. So I now know what my winter project will be as long as the other ones get done. 
Anyways I am still not sure on the EFI. It's more the fact that you can't do much with the SD EFI. I may try to find the MAF from another truck in the Junk yard. If worse comes to it I'll just run carb until I can buy a better cab with MAF. I have so many ideas I just need to decide and go with it. I know the 80 will be the truck that gets converted. I will save what I can from the 86. I wish I had a pasture to put it in. Only problem is I live in town. it's a small town but I don't want too many vehicles sitting around. If I had them all in the drive I'd have no place to drive. Lets see 2 ATVs, 2 small trailers, 4 Trucks, 2 cars and that's just my stuff. LOL Not to mention I have more parts at my parents then I know. I'm always finding suff and going "I needed that a month ago or so". When I start this build I'll make sure to post pics ect. I know how everyone is here about pics and build threads. Heck I love them myself. Gives me motivation. 
Anyways I am still not sure on the EFI. It's more the fact that you can't do much with the SD EFI. I may try to find the MAF from another truck in the Junk yard. If worse comes to it I'll just run carb until I can buy a better cab with MAF. I have so many ideas I just need to decide and go with it. I know the 80 will be the truck that gets converted. I will save what I can from the 86. I wish I had a pasture to put it in. Only problem is I live in town. it's a small town but I don't want too many vehicles sitting around. If I had them all in the drive I'd have no place to drive. Lets see 2 ATVs, 2 small trailers, 4 Trucks, 2 cars and that's just my stuff. LOL Not to mention I have more parts at my parents then I know. I'm always finding suff and going "I needed that a month ago or so". When I start this build I'll make sure to post pics ect. I know how everyone is here about pics and build threads. Heck I love them myself. Gives me motivation.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
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From: Terre Haute, IN
Sweet deal! Looking forward to the build pics! It ought to help me with ideas for my future truck too! 
If you ever want help working on those trucks, I'd be glad to bring some friends to come and help you out. Also, you have a lot of vehicles 
But then I guess I have 2 cars and an SUV, not to mention the broke down 1990 Bonneville at my mom's house (loved that car, was my first).
If you ever want help working on those trucks, I'd be glad to bring some friends to come and help you out. Also, you have a lot of vehicles But then I guess I have 2 cars and an SUV, not to mention the broke down 1990 Bonneville at my mom's house (loved that car, was my first).
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
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From: Terre Haute, IN
I know somebody who lives near by that has a badass LTD! I think it's supercharged. He lays down some awesome 1/8 mile times (I don't remember any though unfortunately). He always says that it's his family car, lol.