Cab and Bed swap
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Cab and Bed swap
Hi this is my first post so ill try to make it a good one. I have a 96 F-150 XLT with an extended cab and a short box, 2wd and a 302. The frame on my truck is crumbling away to nothing so eventually I will need to switch that. Also I do a lot of heavy towing (ex. 4-7000lb boats and campers) and I go through hilly country. My little 302 cant handle those big hills very well and I'm also worried of the frame giving out. Another thing is that my truck is only 2wd which I absolutely hate living in Wisconsin.
I found a rolling chassis of my year truck with a complete 4x4 drivetrain and a 351w. My question is what is the process of taking the cab and bed off of one truck and dropping it onto another. Also, what wiring will have to be done in the swap. And last of all, if I can complete this swap, how much will I be able to tow with the 351w.
Thanks a bunch!
I found a rolling chassis of my year truck with a complete 4x4 drivetrain and a 351w. My question is what is the process of taking the cab and bed off of one truck and dropping it onto another. Also, what wiring will have to be done in the swap. And last of all, if I can complete this swap, how much will I be able to tow with the 351w.
Thanks a bunch!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2013
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I just did this, sort of. You will need the ECU (computer), engine harness, transmission/tcase harness, and cluster from the 351w. From my experience, the wiring in the cab should be nearly identical, especially being the same year. Gonna need to cut a hole in the floor for the transfer case lever too, but that's cake.
While you have it off the frame, may as well spend a little on getting the frame nice and cleaned up too, sounds like you'll be seeing some rust.
Can't help you on numbers for towing capacity, but I'm sure someone can if you say what trans and gears it has. Regardless, it'll pull a lot better with the 351...
I'm sure there's more. If you need help, pm me, I been there haha.
While you have it off the frame, may as well spend a little on getting the frame nice and cleaned up too, sounds like you'll be seeing some rust.
Can't help you on numbers for towing capacity, but I'm sure someone can if you say what trans and gears it has. Regardless, it'll pull a lot better with the 351...
I'm sure there's more. If you need help, pm me, I been there haha.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Hi this is my first post so ill try to make it a good one. I have a 96 F-150 XLT with an extended cab and a short box, 2wd and a 302. The frame on my truck is crumbling away to nothing so eventually I will need to switch that. Also I do a lot of heavy towing (ex. 4-7000lb boats and campers) and I go through hilly country. My little 302 cant handle those big hills very well and I'm also worried of the frame giving out. Another thing is that my truck is only 2wd which I absolutely hate living in Wisconsin.
I found a rolling chassis of my year truck with a complete 4x4 drivetrain and a 351w. My question is what is the process of taking the cab and bed off of one truck and dropping it onto another. Also, what wiring will have to be done in the swap. And last of all, if I can complete this swap, how much will I be able to tow with the 351w.
Thanks a bunch!
I found a rolling chassis of my year truck with a complete 4x4 drivetrain and a 351w. My question is what is the process of taking the cab and bed off of one truck and dropping it onto another. Also, what wiring will have to be done in the swap. And last of all, if I can complete this swap, how much will I be able to tow with the 351w.
Thanks a bunch!
But if you Insist on doing a chassis swap,,,,,
What wheel base is the chassis?
What projects have you done before(to know your ability)
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
Unless you have some sort of attachment to the body on your truck, I would not do the swap. I am sure you have quite a bit of Rot on the body, if you do not see now, you WILL when you tear it apart.
But if you Insist on doing a chassis swap,,,,,
What wheel base is the chassis?
What projects have you done before(to know your ability)
But if you Insist on doing a chassis swap,,,,,
What wheel base is the chassis?
What projects have you done before(to know your ability)
^^^^this^^^^
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New User
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I am in high school and we have a full auto shop with a frame point lift so I would be able to work on the cab while it is off of the frame. Also like I said I have a very knowledgeable auto teacher but he has never done something like this. And I have done a lot of work on trucks so I feel capable of doing the swap.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 180
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From: Montana
I am not sorry to say, I would just save some money and buy another truck, a full cab and bed change is way beyond anything I would do, to much work, for to little reward and there to many good trucks still out there rolling around.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
My dad always used to say it and it took me almost 25 years to get what he was saying, but I finally figured it out. ESPECIALLY in the automotive field
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We'll I would love to get a new truck but like I said I'm a high school student with little money. Being offered a frame with tranny and engine for 400 bucks is almost unbeatable. Also I love a good project.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
Cbeekman, I like your attitude. I think it's a great project for you to do - especially if you have your high school shop class to utilize all of the equipment (lift, tools, etc). At worst, if it doesn't turn out well, the experience and the amount you learn is easily worth the $400 you are spending. Sorry I can't help you with your original question, but please keep us posted on the rebuild and any complications you will run into.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
Restoring a truck(which you will be doing that) is EXPENSIVE.
You can buy something nicer to begin with for less than you will have into it
If money is an issue, then restoring a truck is not for you.
Drive your current truck and save your money
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
No one said you need a new truck. But start with something worth while.
Restoring a truck(which you will be doing that) is EXPENSIVE.
You can buy something nicer to begin with for less than you will have into it
If money is an issue, then restoring a truck is not for you.
Drive your current truck and save your money
Restoring a truck(which you will be doing that) is EXPENSIVE.
You can buy something nicer to begin with for less than you will have into it
If money is an issue, then restoring a truck is not for you.
Drive your current truck and save your money
What you're saying does have merit, and CBeekman should be forewarned: even though you might have all of the major parts, things like connectors, gaskets, nuts/bolts, hoses, clamps, fluids, electrical parts, etc can get expensive. There are a lot of hidden costs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
For the most part, I would agree with you. But it doesn't sound like he wants to necessarily "restore" it. When I think restore - I'm thinking to original condition or show room quality. THAT is expensive. Cbeekman seems like he just wants to swap out parts from one beater (or daily driver) to another. Yeah, he'll probably have to buy some parts to complete the job, but he's only $400 into it right now and sounds like he has most of the parts. Let's say he has to sink another $200 - $400 into it to complete it. Think of the education he will receive for the cheap price of $600 to $800 - and he'll have the truck he's looking for.
What you're saying does have merit, and CBeekman should be forewarned: even though you might have all of the major parts, things like connectors, gaskets, nuts/bolts, hoses, clamps, fluids, electrical parts, etc can get expensive. There are a lot of hidden costs.
What you're saying does have merit, and CBeekman should be forewarned: even though you might have all of the major parts, things like connectors, gaskets, nuts/bolts, hoses, clamps, fluids, electrical parts, etc can get expensive. There are a lot of hidden costs.
Have you ever swapped a cab? I have(a dozen or so)and I can tell you it does NOT, just unbolt and bolt on. It is NEVER that easy. Body mounts will need to be replaced, brake lines will crumble, fuel lines fall apart, rotted cab are swiss cheese. Everything you touch falls apart, and he will be touching EVERYTHING, so he will be replacing everything