I have a '48 F1 truck that I am considering doing a frame swap onto. I have researched several frame swap projects where guys used the Explorer frame, drivetrain, etc and sat the F1 body on the frame. Most of these are using the Gen 2 Explorer (1994-2001) for this. Gen 3 Explorers (2005-2005) according to research I've done had so many problems I am steering away from these. Therefore I am considering using Gen 4 (2006-2010) Explorer as a donor and using the frame, entire drivetrain, wiring, brakes, steering wheel, etc, and fitting my '48 F1 onto it. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm having a hard time finding all the frame specs, ect, that I need to make a final decision. Any info or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Don't do it and save yourself the aggravation and extra expense and time frame. Does the new Explorers even have a full frame in them now..?

 

Yes, the Gen 4 Explorer (2006-2010) did have a full frame. The information I've found says Ford made the frame more beefy by boxing the frame, but I can't find any specific dimensions. I didn't get any front end, rear end or drivetrain with the F1 I bought, so that's why I'm considering the frame swap, rather than piece parting a donor car, or several donor cars, and fitting it into the stock frame I have. Gen 5 which was came out in 2011 is when they turned the engine sideways and replaced the full frame with some type unibody frame/body system.

 

 

The later truck guys are using Crown Vic front suspensions with the Explorer rear axle on the truck's frame but I would look into using the full frame from the CV.
Heck if you bought a running/driving (police) car do a body swap and you don't have to deal with finding everything that plays nice together.
Dave ----

 

The Crown vic is all the way around too wide for an F1. Some use the Crown Vic IFS, But you have to shorteh in by 4" for it to fit inside the body..

 

Hey Lugnuttz,
If you have a '48 frame ...that would be the easiest route.
You can mount a pre-2002 Explorer 8.8. rear end in a weekend... if you choose wisely
you can find 3.73 gears, locking diff, & rear disc brakes. installing the front IFS from a Jaguar
works great as it's an ideal width...loads of how to discussions & knowledge on here. A CV is too wide
& involves cutting & welding aluminum ...not for the faint of heart...do you want to ride in a truck where the
front suspension has been cut in half & welded back together shorter?

In 6 weeks you would have a modern suspension on a frame that fits all your sheet metal....
then it's all about choosing the drivetrain you want.

We are running a 351W with an AOD transmission, Explorer rear end including springs, & a Mustang II style
after market front suspension. Makes a great cruiser.

Where are you at in Texas?

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

There are a few on here that have done this but most that we hear about are never finished. There are a lot of aftermarket parts available for 1948-52 Ford Trucks. If you search this forum you can find solutions to most any problem that you encounter modifying F1s with a stock frame. The further from that that you deviate the less help that we can give you. I would never recommend going this route. It isn't as easy as it sounds.

 

Take a look at the thread "Frame swap gone Bad, Really Bad!"

 

 

Have you driven a stock explorer? They are nothing to write home about as far as handling, performance, economy etc. You start adding or deleting stuff(airbag, abs, antitheft, HVAC, catalytic converters, etc) you now have a wiring and programing nightmare. While it seems like a frame swap is a short cut from Point A to Point B, it is just as long, hard, and expensive(if not more so) than doing it the right way the first time.