Hello everyone.I have a question maybe someone out there has done it. How different are the body mounts from a 1972 to 1979? Heres the thing. I have a `72 2wd truck and I wanna put it on a `79 4x4 chassis. I know the `79 frame rails are wider in the back,but what about the cab forward? Some may ask why? Well i like really like the 67- 72 style and finding one that is 4wd isnt easy or cheap. But i found a `79 complete for $300.Running & driving. So if its possible with out too many mods. would like to swap it. Unless one of you knows if the front suspension will go under the `72 outa the `79? Well throw me some ideas. Oh ya almost forgot,the `72 is a automatic & the `79 is a manual trans.Thankx in advance.

 

Go to the site below. It has a write up comparing the bumpside and dentside frames and body swaps.

Chassis Comparison - '67-'72 vs. '73-'79 - FORDification.com

 

Should work without a lot of modding. Best if you can lift your cab and front clip together, roll one chassis out and the other back under. Separate the front clip and you have many bolts to deal with and will have to re-align everything.

You can make your driveline changes between the chassis out in the open. When you have the engine/tranny setup like you want roll it under the cab and bolt it down..

I'm sure there are other methods but that one requires an above lifting device that can save heavy lifting.

One site member lifted his with a backhoe front bucket.



John

 

or you can just buy one of these.......

 

Sorry, I know not helping.....

 

Looks like a plan to me.




John

 

Thankx for the info. The comparison link was what i was looking for. And yes the crane idea would be very nice.Unfortunitly i'm gonna have to go with the friends & alotta beer method.lol. Thankx again for all the help.

 

You're welcome...

Beer, pizza, and 2x6s on edge atop very sturdy saw horses or oil drums. Please do the beer and pizza afterwards!

The crane? Around here it's about $170 per hour. Beer and pizza optional.

 

Im thinking of putting my 72 f250 camper special on a 2000 to 2003 econoline e550 4x4 with propane and v10 with automatic transmission .I also want the better load rating .any suggestions on doing this conversion. California says that if the econoline chassis was built and certified with propane. No problem with propane fuel . but don't know about registering or smog.yes I know that someone will make the suggestion just buy a bigger truck .but I won't buy a bigger truck that I don't like .I hope someone understands .that.any help would be appreciated.

 

I've only been a member since 2015 and I can't recall any info about your proposed swap. If you don't get an answer here, you might check the van forum. Let's hope someone has some info on here.

 

Maybe I might have to buy a bigger ugly truck and scrap the 72 camperspecial. So much for wanting to have a nice truck. Everyone have a good day.

 

I'm planing on mounting my 72 Camper Special on a 77-78 f 150 frame. Don't like the 1 ton frame and suspension.

 

If you do that you won't be able to use the camper special body to cary a 11 ft camper. Why waste a good camperspecial. Just use a regular body and put all the trim for a camperspecial on it and call it a camper special .good luck. It will be a mcgI'ver truck..I just wanted the camper special sport custom body with a better load rating. My modified camper special would also be a mcgI'ver truck .with a 14000 load rating .

 

The 72 "Camper Special" is the one that came with no bed. A camper was supposed to sit on the back. There is a wiring harness back of the cab to hook to a camper. Cab has an intercom set up in it.I guy I know was going to scrap the truck so I traded a couple of motorcycles and a parts bike for the truck. Was going to use parts off it for our 70 but, too good to part out.

 

My 72 f250 camper special sport has a 8 ft fleetside bed with the stow box on the passenger side door. You are getting confused with a cab chassis. I have a f350 camperspecial cab chassis. With all the side trim .and tailgate trim .with chrome plated bumpers. My 72 cs will carry a 11 ft cab over camper.it also has front.disc brakes.with dana 60 withstupid rear gear3.73.it also came with a h code 390 with auto . My cab chassis had a 20 ft camper on it .cab chassis trucks are completely different. Ford made f350 camperspecial but they are hard to find .if you have a f350 camperspecial keep it dont ruin it by putting on a 77 78 f150 .also if you live in cali they will retitled it as a 77 78 camper special..under special construction. Read sb100.also try to carry a 11 ft camper on a f150. If someone disagree ask number dummy. I alsohave.havea good day..I also have the special plug for the camper. And harness.
FordMy
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