I am pondering a thought and think that it is more trouble than it is worth! I have a 1997 Ford F-350 Crew cab with 7.5 4X2 A friend of mine has a 86 F-350 Crew cab 460 and 4X4 that I can have.
Will any of the body from the 97 fit on the 86? I like the body style of 97 but would like to get away from the electronics and go 4X4 in the process.
Gage's and wiring would probably be a nightmare! still I have to ask?

 

The 97 body will bolt on the 86 frame. Fenders are particular to the cab, so if you want to stay all 97, no problem.

Front bumper mount is different. You will have to custom fabricate some means of mounting the 97 bumper to the 86 frame. 86 bumper is a very different design and will not work with the 97 sheetmetal.

You will miss the EFI, but that's not my call. Gauges will not be a problem with the exception of the speedometer which is electronic in the 97 instead of mechanical like the 86. You will need an EVTM for both years of trucks to sort out the details.

 

You say I would miss the EFI? any issues with radiator mounting?

 

The only "body style" difference is the front end and the bed. Well, the triangle windows are different in the OBS vs. slantnose, but that isn't exactly an aesthetic difference. Swapping the cab will be a logistical nightmare wrt. electrical/gauges. Why not just swap the fenders/header/hood and bed? Then it will remain an '85 inside the cab and look like an OBS on the outside.

 

Swapping panels to get the later body lines works, but there is that issue about the different lower fender attaching point. Just a guess here, but given the extra years on the cab, there may be some rust issues, possibly other damage. Swapping cabs complete right down to the body mount bolts is relatively simple, but connecting the needed systems back up will require some thought. I find electrical easy, as long as I have access to an EVTM. The wiring harnesses are completely different.

There are a lot of swaps going the other way. The 80 to 86 trucks have a particular appeal with a lot of people preferring the early styling. I currently have a long term project going based on an 86 F150 RCSB 4X4. Keeping the 86 exterior styling, but modernizing it with a later model cab and interior. I can certainly state that it is a lot of work!

The later truck also likely has rear ABS. This may be difficult to retain. Swapping the rear axle introduces a possible conflict with gear ratios, but it would also get the speed sensor you would need for both ABS and the electronic speedometer.

You will need the 97 rad cradle, which will drop right onto the same mount location on the 86 frame.

I'm no fan of carburetors. Personal preference on my part, but you will be giving up performance and economy.

Which engine/transmission in each truck? If a change from manual to automatic is involved, you would need to change pedals. This assembly would not swap between the different year cabs.

 

Thank you for the replies it is what I was afraid of. What I was thinking of was adding the 4X4 but this was from the 97 having 7.5 EFI with E4OD and the 86 having a C6 with 4X4 components. The cab on the 86 is not that great My 97 is very clean It has engine issues.