Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

another frame width question..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27, 2012 | 07:46 PM
  #1  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
another frame width question..

sorry to ask a repeated question but im having trouble finding my answer. its short and sweet.

I bought a 1976 ford motorhome with the van front for 250 bucks.. i tore it down to cab/chassis thinking i wanted to get some sheet metal and a bed and make it a usable tow vehicle.. but now i dont. All i really want from this is the rear end.

That said. I am looking at a 1979 F250 4x4. I would like to swap the rear end out of the motor home to the truck. Yes i know gears are different and thats ok, i wont me 4x4n until i have matched gears and maybe a little 4" lift. even then it will only see a trail to take my muddin rig to the spot. it will be a pavement princess.

Are the springs the same width apart from the motorhome and the f250? i think if they are not ill only have to relocate the spring perches.

thanks for any information. Im very new to fords other then my 03 cobra but thats already built. And ive searched but i have adhd and tend to get lost in my research.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2012 | 09:12 PM
  #2  
teds74ford's Avatar
teds74ford
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
Don't know about your particular application, but I got a Dodge Winnebago motorhome and the rear axle was really wide. Everything about it was funky. You would probably be better off to get a junkyard axle actually made for the 250.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2012 | 09:27 PM
  #3  
meborder's Avatar
meborder
Moderator
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
Club FTE Gold Member
if the truck started out as a cab/chassis, it likely has a narrower frame than a regular pickup.

IIRC, a regular pickup is about 37" out to out
cab/chassis is about 34" out to out

someone correct me if i'm wrong.

im assuming that an E series is the same as an F series ... and that may not be right.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2012 | 09:29 PM
  #4  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
thanks all.. im gonna ask my neighbor for my tape measure back and go measure it. ill post what i figure out.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2012 | 10:38 PM
  #5  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
frame is 41.5ish" outside to outside (its a bare frame, easy day) leafs are 3" wide and just bc i was measuring with the stock tires are 89.5" wide outside to outside

if that helps i dont have an f250 to go measure, id really appreciate the feedback. also, out of any older fords, what vehicles came with a 42" wide frame? just trying to get an idea of my bolt on options, if not i have a welder in the garage and i dont mind movin perches

oh and i looked at the tag, it has 4.10 gears. for some reason i assumed it would have a higher gear ratio for the highway.. hmm
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 03:58 AM
  #6  
teds74ford's Avatar
teds74ford
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
That sounds very similar to the Dodge I got. If I remember correctly, the axle was about 8" wider than a truck axle.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 05:56 AM
  #7  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Chris Downey
I bought a 1976 ford motorhome with the Econoline front for 250 bucks. I tore it down to cab/chassis thinking i wanted to get some sheet metal and a bed and make it a usable tow vehicle.. but now i dont.

All i really want from this is the rear end.
It's either a Dana 60 or Dana 70.

That said. I am looking at a 1979 F250 4x4. I would like to swap the rear end out of the motor home to the truck. Yes i know gears are different and thats ok, i wont me 4x4 until i have matched gears and maybe a little 4" lift. even then it will only see a trail to take my muddin rig to the spot. it will be a pavement princess.
The only genuine Ford Motor Homes were the Class A M450/500 series (1975/77). These were assembled at the KY truck plant on the E350 rolling chassis. You wouldn't know it's an Econoline by looking at it.

Since it has an Econoline front end, what you bought is a Class C Motor Home that used the Econoline E250/350 "Cut-Away" body.

These began as cargo vans, Ford then cut the body off behind the front seats. Cut-Away's were sold to motor home manufacturers, U-Haul and to outside body makers, who installed ambulance, box van, airport shuttle and etc bodies.

Bottom Line: You have an Econoline, not an F Series truck. Depending on the length of the Motor Home body, the frame may have been extended. If it has DRW, it's an E350 with a Dana 70.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 10:28 AM
  #8  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
thank you for that information. ^

so this is what i kinda changed my mind into doing.



except i have to build the sleeper area and it will be a standard roof unlike that picture.

The van runs great, drives great, and i have 3 other projects going also. this isnt going to become a daily driver and its only purpose will be to take either my race car to the track or pull 2 trucks out to go wheelin. I will also get one of those low top pop up campers for the bed. that way driving around town is like just drivin a dually, and not like a motorhome.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 12:31 PM
  #9  
meborder's Avatar
meborder
Moderator
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Chris Downey
thank you for that information. ^

so this is what i kinda changed my mind into doing.



except i have to build the sleeper area and it will be a standard roof unlike that picture.

The van runs great, drives great, and i have 3 other projects going also. this isnt going to become a daily driver and its only purpose will be to take either my race car to the track or pull 2 trucks out to go wheelin. I will also get one of those low top pop up campers for the bed. that way driving around town is like just drivin a dually, and not like a motorhome.

i think you better build one.

sounds like a regular bed would match your frame pretty well.

i was thinking that the 37" was out-to-out, but it could have been center-center, either way, that's pretty close.

yep ... you should build one
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 02:26 PM
  #10  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
thanks for the push in that direction, i was expecting worse feedback lol.

in the end i have a running driving van for 250 bucks. im going to build it as cheap as i can (built correctly tho) and just have a trailer puller.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 03:47 PM
  #11  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
33 1/2" between the inner rear frame rails behind the cab: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase.

37 1/2" between the inner frame rails behind the cab: ALL 1973/79 F100/350's except as noted above.

What vehicle has 42" frame rails, I have no idea...the question, AFAIK...has never been broached before. The above is a FAQ. I've typed the same jazz over 100 times here on FTE.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:37 PM
  #12  
meborder's Avatar
meborder
Moderator
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
33 1/2" between the inner rear frame rails behind the cab: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase.

37 1/2" between the inner frame rails behind the cab: ALL 1973/79 F100/350's except as noted above.

What vehicle has 42" frame rails, I have no idea...the question, AFAIK...has never been broached before. The above is a FAQ. I've typed the same jazz over 100 times here on FTE.
sure wish the highlighted above was more common knowledge with hitch manufactureres ... woulda saved me $150 bucks.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2012 | 01:24 AM
  #13  
Chris Downey's Avatar
Chris Downey
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
33 1/2" between the inner rear frame rails behind the cab: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase.

37 1/2" between the inner frame rails behind the cab: ALL 1973/79 F100/350's except as noted above.

thanks for the response bro, i appreciate you sendin it my way!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ryan Prendergast
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
May 28, 2017 07:42 AM
bigcrunch
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 13, 2015 04:49 PM
SuperDuty93
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
3
May 13, 2015 08:34 PM
daltonrollins
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Feb 18, 2014 01:14 PM
qaswq
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 9, 2005 07:21 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:40 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE