need help finding a 4X4 frame
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Texas
need help finding a 4X4 frame
ok so I'm wanting to do a body swap with my 79' F150 long bed from a 2wd frame to a 4wd frame but I'm having he** trying to find a frame. does anybody know if a salvage yard would sell me a frame or if i should just keep looking for somebody that has an old pickup sitting around that they want to get rid of???? also how hard would it be to swap from a 79' frame to an 80-86 frame if i was to find one of those first? I'm in the north west Texas area
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
If the salvage yard sells parts ect. they probably will sell a frame but you might not get a title ,just have to ask. If they are in scrap metal only they may not sell , kinda depends on the owner.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Texas
so why would having the title to the frame matter since i have the title for my 79? there's several salvage yards around here that sell parts ect i just need to find one that has some 4x4 frames if they'll sell it to me
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
You should check with DMV in your state on titles then . Most states want the title with the numbers on the frame not the door. A door can be switched out to easy but i know of a lot of them that get though it with no problem. The problem can come up if its ever titled in a different state . Get a bill of sale for the frame and you may be ok , good luck.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Best deal if you can not find just a frame and a title to go with it, is to buy a Craigslist complete truck with a rusty body, bad motor, ect..and get it that way.
X2 on ck with your DMV as far as needing a title with the frame, it is that way in Missouri.
But we all know that most places only open the dvrs door and look at the riveted on warranty tag #'s on the door edge and do not start crawling in the engine compartment looking at the passenger side frame rail for the stamped VI.
Then there are possible insurance issues like "ha your VIN say 2wd not 4wd"?
X2 on ck with your DMV as far as needing a title with the frame, it is that way in Missouri.
But we all know that most places only open the dvrs door and look at the riveted on warranty tag #'s on the door edge and do not start crawling in the engine compartment looking at the passenger side frame rail for the stamped VI.
Then there are possible insurance issues like "ha your VIN say 2wd not 4wd"?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Best deal if you can not find just a frame and a title to go with it, is to buy a Craigslist complete truck with a rusty body, bad motor, ect..and get it that way.
X2 on ck with your DMV as far as needing a title with the frame, it is that way in Missouri.
But we all know that most places only open the dvrs door and look at the riveted on warranty tag #'s on the door edge and do not start crawling in the engine compartment looking at the passenger side frame rail for the stamped VI.
Then there are possible insurance issues like "ha your VIN say 2wd not 4wd"?
X2 on ck with your DMV as far as needing a title with the frame, it is that way in Missouri.
But we all know that most places only open the dvrs door and look at the riveted on warranty tag #'s on the door edge and do not start crawling in the engine compartment looking at the passenger side frame rail for the stamped VI.
Then there are possible insurance issues like "ha your VIN say 2wd not 4wd"?
Yep you said it better than i did, Idaho is the same as MO. I bought my truck with an Arizona title . I had cleaned the frame number so they could read it and opened the hood , she just walked by and opened the door. I never said anything as i had all ready checked both numbers and were the same.
Trending Topics
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Yes and as soon as you do not have things like they should be, some DMV/vehicle insp person says "Get that hood open and the vin cleaned off for me".
Or most go "ha your truck does not have a VIN plate on the dash like it should". Hello junior, it is to OLD to have that, come look here....lol
Or most go "ha your truck does not have a VIN plate on the dash like it should". Hello junior, it is to OLD to have that, come look here....lol
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Ilion Herkimer
plenty of frames on craigslist, i would check social media groups as well. and dont limit yourself to just a half ton frame. your 79 body will fit nicely on a 3/4 or one ton frame for years 77.5 to 79.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Pretty sure its that way in every state, at least by law. In PA the title follows the frame, but I've never had anyone check mine or ever hear of any of my friends being checked. However, you''ll get that super efficient cop that checks and now you're out of a truck for a long time.
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Blanchard, OK
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Texas
because I've found only one 4X4 dentside ford and it was to nice to tear apart. all the rest are 2wd
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Texas
i've heard that 3/4 ton and 1 ton frames are a little bit narrower than 1/2 ton frames? i thought about a 3/4 ton or 1 ton frame but i want to swap my rear axle over to because its a 4:10 posi track and its a 1/2 ton axle. and i must not be looking in the right place on craigslist or something because i've never seen a 73-79 4x4 frame on there... i do have a granny low 4speed transmission lined up that is going in place of my C6 so i'm just in need of a frame to get the ball rolling
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Narrower frame is only on a Highboy, in the back half. What is your nearest big city in Texas on the C list and I will fire up my Craigslistness. lol
What is you max road trip distance for the right parts?
If you want to keep the 5 on 5 1/2 wheel pattern, 1/2 ton rear axle you will have to find a front 1/2 ton D44 with the same ratio and that just narrowed your search field big time.
You might have to bit the bullet and find a complete truck to get the running gear you want. Remember parting out a complete upper half is a possibility.
What is you max road trip distance for the right parts?
If you want to keep the 5 on 5 1/2 wheel pattern, 1/2 ton rear axle you will have to find a front 1/2 ton D44 with the same ratio and that just narrowed your search field big time.
You might have to bit the bullet and find a complete truck to get the running gear you want. Remember parting out a complete upper half is a possibility.