Has anyone tried to put a 7th gen onto a new F150 chassis?
I'm really considering doing this and wanted to see if someone has taken the lead.
I have done many projects such as this so the work is known and not feared.
Thanks!!

 

subscribed...

Wheelbases are wrong for starters, but that's not a huge problem. 85 F150 RC/LB is 133" and an 08 RC/SB is 126. Shorten the bed 7" or so...

Or, use a crew cab 08+ at 138" and make an SC/SB combo... 87+ lists it as around 138" or so. You'd be within an inch or less...

Width is about the same...

It just come down the contours of the frame and where and how you'd put the mounts.

It would be a good deal of work but I'd say it's doable and would be kind of neat.

In the end I'd just swap a 5.4 into the 85 and be done...

 

How are you going to deal with the electronics? The engine computer, abs computer, body module, instrument cluster computer, are all integrally tied together and need to be present for it all to work.

 

Easy, remove harness, engine computer, abs computer, body module, instrument cluster, etc from 2010 donor and install in 1985 body once it's swapped onto the 2010 frame...

Back to earlier statement though... It'd be easier to just swap the 5.4 in...

 

Thinking about it, you may even want to cut the floor and firewall out of each truck and swap it over that way. That would take care of the mounts and if you keep the dash and firewall area of the 2010 it may simplify the computers and wiring a bit...

Or... How about you take an 85 F150 and add this:
Ford Racing M-6007-M50 - Ford Racing 5.0L 412HP 32-Valve DOHC Crate Engines - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Ford Racing M-6017-A504V - Ford Racing 5.0L 4-Valve Modular Crate Engine Control Packs - Overview - SummitRacing.com

then add a Magnum 6spd, lower it say 3/5 or bag it add some 17 or 18 wide rims and tires, 20's would look out of place IMO and you'd have one hell of a truck. Keep everything else stock appearing.

 

Personally I think the wiring would be the easiest (i'm an electronic eng). Cutting the frame and making mounts I've done before.
Just seems like the smarter way to go...obviously everything would be near new and 30years more advanced. No leaks, has abs, power discs all round, far better steering, fuel injection, 4x4, 6 speed auto and on and on. I see it as less work than completely rebuilding a very tired, three decades old chassis and drivetrain.

The only thing I can think that I don't like is I'd be limited to a high offset wheel, if I wanted to stay under the fenders.
Maybe even put a current ford dash too.

Just bought a rust free stepside so the first step is done and going to look at a 2010 fx4 salvage next week...

 

I can see it being done, but sure would take some work. I would think would be easiest to fab a new dash to accept the later model instrument panel. Body mounts are no problem, some 3" square tubing cut at an angle welded to the frame and your done. Could even cut and section the frame if need be to get the wheelbase right.

 

Subscribed, I can't wait to see how this turns out.

 

85 Stepside would have a WB of around 117". A RC/SB 2010 would be around 126". So you'll have to plan on sectioning the frame 9". Take a good look and see if you can section the frame by that much. You may have to get creative with the fuel tank, everything else shouldn't be that big of a deal as long as you have a relatively flat section of frame that you could chop 9" out.

You could also find a nice supercab if the look of a supercab stepside floats your boat. That WB would be around 139" and the 2010 CC/SB comes in at just about 139. They're within a 1/2" or so.

I would say get the entire 2010 truck. Frame width might be an issue but like I said in an earlier post you could always cut the floor and firewall out of the 2010 and put it in the 85. You'd have to figure out which parts of each truck you'd want for the cowl area to make sure the 85 sheet metal will bolt up.

Also, you may be able to cut the body mounts off the 2010 and use them for a more factory look.

For me the hesitation would be financial, not ability to pull it off. I think they're close enough it should be fully possible. I don't know what salvage 2010's are going for but for me I probably wouldn't want to spend that much money. However, if it is your highest excitement then absolutely go ahead with it. A 1985/2010 hybrid would be really cool and would definitely get A LOT of attention.

Keep us informed; I know we all would like to see this come together.

 

Very interesting idea. Subscribed.

 

Subscribed, this has me very intrigued.

 

Tossing this around more this week and was thinking what would even be a better chassis donor (for my needs) would be a 2007+ Explorer with the V8. Little lighter and IRS. Would make for a nice ride at the least and something different...
And allows for a 5 bolt wheel with a dish. Just can't see one of these trucks with a 'flat faced' wheel.

 

You'd have to stretch it a bit but that could work. It's narrow enough that you could put some negative offset wheels in it.

The Positive Offset wheels where done for a reason though, can't remember what it was for though. I think it had something to do with rack-n-pinion steering.

Oh and the Explorer got the IRS in 02 IIRC. 07 got the 3v but you could also use the FRPP 3v Hot Rod engine...

Here's a sound clip of the hot rod cams in action... If that doesn't get you excited you need to get your pulse checked...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1mYzsxMbo4