So there is a lot to come off this truck. Pretty much everything needs to come off the frame and start from scratch. But oh well at least non of the original frame was cut and the thing is straight as new. Gonna be fun to see how big of a fuel cell I can fit out back. Go easy on the kid I bought it from. He did the best he could with no budget. Someone probably told him he could shoe a 12 Valve in it for a couple grand.

 

So like I said the front of the frame is 4" narrower than the 450 so I will have to make or alter some arms. 46 total holes to be drilled this week. Might be more, I think I didn't count the A-Arm brackets, lol. Damn and I thought the 14 on my Superduty Buckets were a pain. I gotta go pick up a couple good drill bits tomorrow. I was surprised though. I was afraid the fronts and rears would stick out more, but man she looks way better back at ride height. Body lift is coming out. It looks like crap with the frame and A-Arms so far from the cab.

 

Looks like you know what you're doing.

Should be a sweet build and I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome.

 

I like the stance of the truck with the 450 running gear. Excited to see the progress.

 

Nice work, looks like a fun project! I'll be following this one.

 

Awesome project. Will watch in awe as i work on gathering. I would love some help with answers and ideas on the project i am gathering for. I made the mistake of selling my 78 f-250 Crew shortbox a few years ago and have wanted another one since. I cannot afford to pay what an original one is worth so it looks like i am going to build one. I have found a 78 f-700 Crew with a great body. It is a 2wd flatbed and i can get it for $500. I have a 92 12 valve Cummins to drop in it but i wan't a 4wd and i don't want what i assume is the terrible ride of a 700. Any suggestions. Thought if i could find a 350 or 250 lwb 4wd, take the box off, put the crewcab to it and either lengthen the frame enough to put a short box on or even make a short flatbed. Need it to be able to haul gooseneck trailers. Have tons of questions, the first and most important being, are the cabs, hoods, ect. on the 700 the same as 250 and 350 or are they larger. Is it possible to drop a 4wd front under the 700?? If so, i could lighten the springs to suit me once i got the engine and all done. Any answers or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Robert Jones pha7env@yahoo.com

 

Well while I was gone for Christmas with the family, the shop hand got the rear all bolted in including factory sway bar and shocks. Everything bolted right up. Front will take some more work, but still pretty damn easy.

 

So far it looks great.

 

This guy is the guru, he would know the hood question. 78_f800crewcab4x4

This is probably the best riding build solution that I've ever seen. This thing is insane.
68 F350 converted to diesel, 4x4, and dually - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

There are lots of different ways to go about the suspension. I too have a Crew Cab 600/700 that I'm going to build, as long as no one finds it before I can pick it up. 250/350 running gear is far to lite duty for the 600/700's. I's go the 450/550 route or like I'm planning Rockwells. The only two motors that can really handle the weight of those chassis and drive train though are the 7.3 Powerstroke or Cummins. I'd considered trying a 6.4 but they are a street queen motor. Leaf spring wuld be the cheapest route by far and if you went with Rockwells there are a ton of companies like Blue Torch Fab that make the leaf plates for the Rocks dirt cheap. If ya have the means an/or ability, I'd go the Peterbuilt Bagged Leaf route like the build thread above. The Kelderman type Medium Duty stuff is the safest route to go, especially if you are planning on towing a Gooseneck or 5th Wheel.

 

Your project is similar to the Super Dually project on Trucks!, but they mounted a crew cab Ford cab on a late model Dodge 3500 chassis.

Super Dually Part 9 - Odds & Ends | PowerBlockTV.com - Video

 

Thanks houseofdiesel! I will hit 800 up for knowledge! Wonder if i need to scrap all of the 700 except cab or if i can put a 70 or even 80 under rear, go lighter on the springs with air bags, and either get coils made for front or spring/air the front. Except for wanting it to be 4wd, i would drop the cummins in it, and drive away. I need to go take a look at the steering on the 700 and see if it is like the lighter 2wd or can be easily adapted to a 4wd axle. Too many options. I am used to building mud rigs and rock crawlers, not taking a truck and making it ride and pull good. Thanks again, keep the ideas coming. Robert

 

absolutely jaw dropping, cant wait to see this finished.

 

what he said

 

I wanted to do a crew before watching that but once I saw it wanted a dually all the way. Ya here in Cali we have to keep the frame to retain the correct VIN, year, and model for reg, but I like it that way myself. Then it's not just an early body on a newer frame, basically a glorified skin job. I would have prefered to stay with a Ford in a Ford, but I had the 6.7 for the last few years and don't want to stuff that big pig in my '57 Powerwagon. Just too much, and I'll never buy another Dodge. I already have the only two I'd ever want. I've got a few things that will separate it from the others that I've seen done.

 

So I need to have my buddy bend me a new pedestal to weld on the front housing for the coils to move them in on each side 2"s. Other than that I'm kinda waiting it out right now to save up for 3 Atlas T-cases for my 3 projects. I'll probably weld in a new Pan Hard Bracket in the next week or so. As for the Panhard Bar I will probably use the new Ready Lift anti wobble. It will take some fitting to get that monstrous F450 Steering box in there too, especially with the sleeves that were welded through the F250 frame to put what looks like the Dodge Box on.