Frame swap
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
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Frame swap
Ok ive been foing alot of research on this an im not really sure but can i swap frame n drivetrain of a ford explorer with my 56 panel? Im not worried about it not being original or dropping in value im just wondering if it will work and how hard will it be to do? Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
From: Guadalajara, Mexico
I'm pretty sure a lot of us have come here with the same question. Guys around here will probably be able to provide a more detailed answer than me, but in short; There are better ways to go than a full frame swap.
Anything can be done, but it depends on the building skills and how deep your pockets are.
Take a look around, there are several threads on the subject you can look into.
Happy New Year.
Anything can be done, but it depends on the building skills and how deep your pockets are.
Take a look around, there are several threads on the subject you can look into.
Happy New Year.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
You will generally find that frame swaps are frowned upon here, for the basic reason that while many are started, few are ever completed. Modern frames have a very different profile than the stock ones ( most have a heavy kick-up behind the cab), as well as steering geometry problems, body mounts, trying to get sheet metal to line-up without frame references, etc).
Suspension upgrades are readily available for the stock frame and are much more successful in the long term.
Suspension upgrades are readily available for the stock frame and are much more successful in the long term.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 87
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From: Crockett
I know it can be done with a truck. Saw one at the last goodguys show in Pleasanton CA. One thing I noticed is that he did have to raise the floor of the bed a few inches. More than I'd be willing to do.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 29
From: in a barn
Find someone who has done it and get an honest answer. <p>I have gone the frame swap route with one of my cars because it seemed like a way to save time, but in the end it was just as much time as if I had just clipped the front of the original frame. Worked fine but it was no time saver. If your original frame is good I would work with it unless you have experience in fabrication. Mods normally needed in the floors, body mounts, wheel houses, front body clip mounting, bumper mounting, steering changes, radiator mounting, wheel base, etc..<p>I would do it with a pickup truck no problem but not another full bodied vehicle unless the original frame was pure junk and another could not be easily found.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 29
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Thanks guys for all the info i know it may not be the easiest thing but i figured it wld be better considering my uncle is i his late 60's n wants powerbsteering and fuel injection and all the new stuff just to cruise in between me n my nuddy we cld do alot of fabricating i am just not sure if it is gonna be a long shot n crazy to do or jst a few mods n it will wrk fine
Happy new year to all of you
Happy new year to all of you
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Darice,
Hmmm.. Some Thoughts on your Panel Project.
Rear Axle - You can swap over the Explorer 8.8 axle into your stock frame in a weekend or two max. It's very straight forward. That gives you rear disc brakes, modern highway gearing, & a solid rear suspension. (No frame swap needed).
Front Axle - You can upgrade the existing stock front axle with new parts - king pins, bushings, etc.. Or you can add a Toyota Power Steering swap that fits like a glove. A third option is to go with a Jag Front suspension that also has the right width. All of these can be done with a couple of months of weekend work.
So with just a couple of months work you have a modern suspension - no frame swap needed & all of your body panels and cab will still fit. Put what ever drivetrain you want in it. Your uncle will be happy & you will have steady progress toward a nice Panel Truck.
Good luck over there in North Carolina.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Hmmm.. Some Thoughts on your Panel Project.
Rear Axle - You can swap over the Explorer 8.8 axle into your stock frame in a weekend or two max. It's very straight forward. That gives you rear disc brakes, modern highway gearing, & a solid rear suspension. (No frame swap needed).
Front Axle - You can upgrade the existing stock front axle with new parts - king pins, bushings, etc.. Or you can add a Toyota Power Steering swap that fits like a glove. A third option is to go with a Jag Front suspension that also has the right width. All of these can be done with a couple of months of weekend work.
So with just a couple of months work you have a modern suspension - no frame swap needed & all of your body panels and cab will still fit. Put what ever drivetrain you want in it. Your uncle will be happy & you will have steady progress toward a nice Panel Truck.
Good luck over there in North Carolina.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,290
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
I think for a panel truck the deal-killer is the rear kickup on the potential donor frames. On a pickup you can mask the higher frame by raising the bed floor, but on a panel it's going to be "right there". Lots of potential problems with pedal mounting in the old cab, steering column alignment, etc....
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,168
Likes: 4,767
From: Burbank, WA
It's far, far easier and simpler to set in a late model drivetrain into the existing frame than to modify a foreign frame and redesign the entire bottom of the body to fit together. An entire industry has been built around suspension and drivability improvements for our trucks, and there's nothing whatsoever to be gained by attempting a frame swap such as you're proposing. My 2c.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I appreciate all the thoughts from yall bu i seen it done where a guy cut the explorer body off but kept the floor pan on it like it was jst drivable with no body n welded te two bodies together is that yet another bad idea
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
I dont think any one is saying it cant be done. As you said people have done. Theyre just saying it will be less work just to modify the original frame rather than put the body on a new frame.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
EDIT: It was houghda and he did finish it.
