frame question
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frame question
ok i have 2 f150s, 1 is an 84 4x4 300/4speed other is an 81(i think) 4x2 300/auto.
the 4x4 runs(well it did before i started taking it apart to restore) but the frame has a few cracks and bends in it on the front end.
the 4x2 is a donor truck i got with the 4x4 that has a blown transmisson, not sure if the motor is still good or not. the frmae is straight and the cab is in better shape than the 4x4.
my question is, is it possible to swap the drivetrain from the 4x4 onto the 4x2 frame without too much trouble? i know i'll have to cut holes in the floor fro the shifters but is there any other issues i'll run into on the frame that would prevent me from swapping or would it be easier to repair the cracks/bends on the 4x4 frame?
pic of the front where most of the damage is:
<a href="http://s181.photobucket.com/user/cjb321/media/IMG_0347.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x287/cjb321/IMG_0347.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0347.jpg"/></a>
the 4x4 runs(well it did before i started taking it apart to restore) but the frame has a few cracks and bends in it on the front end.
the 4x2 is a donor truck i got with the 4x4 that has a blown transmisson, not sure if the motor is still good or not. the frmae is straight and the cab is in better shape than the 4x4.
my question is, is it possible to swap the drivetrain from the 4x4 onto the 4x2 frame without too much trouble? i know i'll have to cut holes in the floor fro the shifters but is there any other issues i'll run into on the frame that would prevent me from swapping or would it be easier to repair the cracks/bends on the 4x4 frame?
pic of the front where most of the damage is:
<a href="http://s181.photobucket.com/user/cjb321/media/IMG_0347.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x287/cjb321/IMG_0347.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0347.jpg"/></a>
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You can swap the frames pretty easy IF, the are both shortbed pickups. That picture looks like a shortbed correct?
The only difference will be the rear spring width. You can leave this alone and use the narrower 2wd springs and bolt your 4x4 rearend under there, or you can drill the rivets out of both frames, and swap the spring brackets so you can use the 4x4 3 inch wide rear springs.
I guess you have looked at the floorboards already. The later trucks like mine have a floorplate that you unbolt, and bolt in the correct one and no hole cutting is necessary. I had a 1980, but I can't remember if it had the bolt in floorplate or not.
The only difference will be the rear spring width. You can leave this alone and use the narrower 2wd springs and bolt your 4x4 rearend under there, or you can drill the rivets out of both frames, and swap the spring brackets so you can use the 4x4 3 inch wide rear springs.
I guess you have looked at the floorboards already. The later trucks like mine have a floorplate that you unbolt, and bolt in the correct one and no hole cutting is necessary. I had a 1980, but I can't remember if it had the bolt in floorplate or not.
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yes both are short box trucks, one being a stepside which is the bed im going to use anyway. i'll have to look at the floorboards but i dont remember if there is a bolted plate or not on the other one.
Thanks for the info, this has been a tough project for me due to time/money but slow and steady wins the race right?
Thanks for the info, this has been a tough project for me due to time/money but slow and steady wins the race right?
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: cincinnati ohio
we just swapped a 2wd 86 f250 body onto a 84 4x4 chasis and the 2wd automatic cab had the floor indented where the pan belongs but we had to cut the hole which really was no big deal
the 4x4 one fits perfect, like i said the floor is pressed for the correct pan, just not cut out
the 4x4 one fits perfect, like i said the floor is pressed for the correct pan, just not cut out
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