I was wondering if anyone could help me out I am torn if I should put it on a 78-79 4x4 frame or if it would work on an early 80s frame

 

DB Welcome to FTE & the Slicks forum.

Your sheet metal is not going to direct bolt up on either, so if you have the skills and funds, go with what you has the better running gear.

Enough time & money can make most anything work.




John

 

First of all see if Kansas allows re framing of vehicles.

You may be able to by it may have to have a salvage title.

Garbz

 

i'm pretty sure they do but give you a builders title instead of salvaged

 

1967/72 has longer wheelbase, 1973/79 has longer wheelbase than 1967/72. 1980/96 will be similar to 1973/79, but you don't want to go there. Ford changed the entire truck in 1980.

And then, there are these: 1980/83 F100: Ford advertised these as a "Light Truck." Some have 5 lug 4.50" bolt pattern wheels, some have "Swiss Cheese" frames, different brakes, shocks and suspension.

Some have the anemic 255 V8 that barely has enough torque to pull a sick trollop off a porcelain device. Some have the god-awful 3.8L V6, the worst terd of an engine that FoMoCo ever foisted on mankind.

No 4WD or Super Cabs were available, largest available V8 was the 302. The options list was very limited, you don't want one = PASS!

1973: FoMoCo increased the rear frame rail width behind the cab from 33 1/2" to 37 1/2" on everything except 1973/77 F250 4WD High Boys and 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase.

 

Skill, Knowledge, & Know How with proper funding can still pull it off.




John