Body/frame compatibility
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New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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Body/frame compatibility
Hi Everyone,
I have a '76 F250 4x4 that has some rust and no A/C. I have found a '77 F250 that is in beautiful condition, and has a/c. I'm thinking I would like to put the sheet metal from the '77 onto my '76 highboy. Does anyone have any experience between these years on cab and bed fitment, etc.? Am going to be able to do it?
Thanks!
I have a '76 F250 4x4 that has some rust and no A/C. I have found a '77 F250 that is in beautiful condition, and has a/c. I'm thinking I would like to put the sheet metal from the '77 onto my '76 highboy. Does anyone have any experience between these years on cab and bed fitment, etc.? Am going to be able to do it?
Thanks!
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
Measure the frame on the 77 and see if it gets wider behind the cab. If not then you should be GTG. If it does get wider you'll need to drill new holes in the bed to match the frame and cut spacers that will go into the bed CM's to keep it from crushing when you tighten the bed bolts.
Put your new holes at least an inch inboard from your originals because Ford put spacers in the CM's and you dont want to be too close to them cause your new spacers won't fit in you new holes. Ask me how I know.
Put your new holes at least an inch inboard from your originals because Ford put spacers in the CM's and you dont want to be too close to them cause your new spacers won't fit in you new holes. Ask me how I know.
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Hey thanks guys. Ya, the '77 was built in 12/76 so it's an early 77, hope that helps me out a little.
And Grinnergetter, I see in your signature that you converted a '73 to a highboy? Does that mean you went from 2wd to 4wd? Or just the highboy suspension onto existing 4wd? I ask because this '77 is so nice I would have thought about just throwing the drivetrain of the '76 highboy under it...but people usually say it's more work than to just swap sheet metal. What do you guys think?
Just in case you want to see the '76
76Highboy pictures by 141bpm - Photobucket
And Grinnergetter, I see in your signature that you converted a '73 to a highboy? Does that mean you went from 2wd to 4wd? Or just the highboy suspension onto existing 4wd? I ask because this '77 is so nice I would have thought about just throwing the drivetrain of the '76 highboy under it...but people usually say it's more work than to just swap sheet metal. What do you guys think?
Just in case you want to see the '76
76Highboy pictures by 141bpm - Photobucket
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
I swapped a 2wd body to a 4wd frame and chassis along with a married tranfer case setup. Sounds easy huh.
Your frames should both be straight all the way back so I would think the swap should be pretty uneventful.
Your frames should both be straight all the way back so I would think the swap should be pretty uneventful.
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