reply to dave[drptop70ss] you talk about half finished chassis swap projects for sale ,well how many half finished restoration projects do you see for sale, a lot, see you guys want to tell half the story !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the problem is people lose interest, not only on chassis swaps!!!!!!!!!!!! George.

 

Still looking for the pics of your swap, George. How far down the road are you? Pictures speak louder than words. Some narrative to tell us how you solved some of the problems would help others contemplating a swap. AFAIK, no one has ever posted a Build Thread for a frame swap, in the 10 years I've been on here. If it turns out well, it could become the new, best way to get there.

You're right, a lot of guys buy an old truck and before they've ever driven it, they tear it apart to do extensive mods. Lots of them run out of time, patience, or cash and just sell it off. Some good bargains to be had.

 

George, I have a question.
The '53-'56 front tires sit around an inch (1 1/4") behind the center of the front wheel opening. It's a "problem" many effie owners don't like. Why wouldn't you align the entire body on the rear axle/fenders, nearly centering the front tires? It seems like it would make the '97 explorer a near perfect match, wheelbase wise.

 

Try goggle search 1953 to 55 ford f100 frame swap.
Several discussions and pictures on various hot rod sites.
Larry

 

Effietrucker, that is exactly what I did, I centered the front wheels in the fenders put the running boards on and centered the rear fenders, front fenders mounted to the cab!!!! what I have to do if I want to put the fenders back on the box the way they were is to either put a spacer between the running boards and front fenders or[ my option] lengthen the running boards. I live in fl so we have a lot of car shows here the last show I was at there were about 20 53-56 f100 4 of them have swapped frames, all 4 of them put a spacer in the front of the running boards to get a good alignment, George.

 

There is a difference. The half finished stock restos can be saved. The half finished frame swaps where the PO cut out the dash and firewall among other things are now ruined unless you can find another cab to fix it. I know all about it. I have bought many, many half finished projects over the years. The usual reason they "lose interest" in these chassis swaps is they run up against something that was not expected or realize they are over their head. The ones done right get done.
The explorer swaps I see that have been done or never finished in my opinion are chop jobs, cut out the dash and firewall of the pickup to use the explorer dash. I have seen one so far that was finished, an obvious high dollar build. Others I saw looked cobbled together. Another "time saver" that isnt. If I want to look at an explorer dash I will drive one, but I love the character of an old vehicle so I try to keep the look as much as I can .
So again, how long have you been working on this truck and is it finished yet? Pictures? I can document every step of my chassis swap build no problem. How about showing some tips instead of yapping so much? Oh wait I need more of these !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

70ss, what are you talking about looking at a explorer dash, I have only saw 1 chassis swap with a explorer dash in it, and no I didn't like it or would I put one in my 54!! I swapped my dash out because it was butchered, probably the guy before me that owned it was going to do a chassis swap, so he chopped the dash up[right]!!!!! now you see the blinders you have on!! do you see them!! I said hind sight I would have put the whole cab on the explorer frame , and not have cut the floor out, I didn't have to cut the dash out if I didn't want to, I like the 51 Victoria dash, as far as pic,s I don't even know how to post pic,s ! and if I need pic,s for you to believe me that im building a 54 with a explorer frame , well[being nice] too bad for you George.

 

George,
Requesting pictures is not a matter of believing someone. We just like to see, discuss & celebrate progress. It also helps others get ideas and information for their or future builds. After all this forum IS about helping each other

Posting pictures is pretty easy. Especially if your a member. Someone will post the instructions again soon.

 

Hey Guys,
These threads are always difficult. I do remember seeing a swap thread some time back where the member PWRHS posted his '56 F100 swap onto an Explorer frame. He did a very nice job. Please keep in mind that PWRHS owns his own shop and has some serious skills including wiring harness updates & computer reprogramming in addition to full lifts, multiple welding options etc...

Do I think a backyard mechanic can do this - no. Take a look at the work done in the interior bed area.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...55-56-a-3.html

His truck pictures are below.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Hey Gas
I think the original question on here was posted by a young guy from North Carolina looking at different options. If you'd like to show your build I'd recommend starting a new thread with lot's of pics showing your progress.
You are new here - just keep it friendly & open. Have fun with your build & good luck over there. I do look forward to see what you are working with & how you approach the different challenges. It can be done if you have a lot of skill & experience. We went the other way & modified the existing frame with new front IFS & an Explorer rear suspension. That was hard enough for me & took us forever & a lot of money.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Man did this get off track...l will just sum up what I was trying to tell the OP before all the BS started.
1. A frame swap is not always the time or money saver you think it is. Do your homework.
2. If you have the skills to do a frame swap you have the skills to update an original frame. I have done both, each has good and bad points but I consider the frame update much easier and faster in the long run. To each his own.

 

George, this forum is not like most. We don't typically have the drama and BS that I've seen elsewhere. And we like it that way. We have plenty of discussion. What we don't do is take kindly to someone with 15 posts coming in telling people they have no clue, have blinders on, put 50 of these !!! in every sentence. The guys you are slamming (which we do not do) have help literally thousands of people and have been kind and friendly doing it. And I can assure you they know what they are doing. It's also why people all over this country and others come in here and ask for help, comments, and info. Remember you came to us, we didn't make you join the thread or site. My advise is to cool it down and just talk. We don't need the attitude. Most of us are older guys that have built countless F series trucks among other vehicles. You obviously aren't going to agree with everyone all the time. But the thing that makes this forum special is the family atmosphere we keep. Every now and then we disagree and have a lively chat but I don't remember the last time someone came in here acting like this.
So what do ya say we start over. We would all like to watch your build happen. Also would welcome a new person and new project but would really like to maintain our normal peaceful ways.
Hope you understand....no excuses, let's just do it.

 

Please keep in mind that this forum is for sharing ideas and different ways of working on our old beloved Ford trucks but slamming each other is un acceptable. Sadly since this thread has started to run off the rails it had to be closed.

 

Please remember that while we`re here to help each other on our beloved old Ford trucks slamming each other won`t be tolerated.