Wish they'd kept the five digits for my year too! I can't re-register it online because you need five numbers to even let the system accept it. My "E" and then four numbers just doesn't cut it. Geez, four numbers even back then seems pretty weak.

Paul

 

Be sure to get all of the characters between the two stars.

 

This is about as good as i can get it without destroying what is left of the vin.

 

I'm seeing F11YEX22577

F11 - 73-76 4x4 F100
Y - 73-76 V8 360 2bbl
E - Assembled at the Manwah plant
X22500 - made towards the end of the 1975 model year.

So in summary you have a 1975 F100 4x4 frame that came with an FE360 from the factory

 

This is the vin decode from the current frame the body sits on.

 

So I guess the question now is what are the differances between a F100 frame and a F150 frame?

 

I speak with no certain knowledge just bits and pieces I've read on the forum but people have mentioned emissions gear on the f150s (which wouldn't concern you) and that f100 has lighter duty suspension parts... ie the f150 could haul more. If you're swapping everything over to the f100 frame I don't think you'd really have any firmest issues but there's always something you forget about in a project like that so either research more or let some more people chime in. The only other issue is you need research is to see what legal hoops you'd have to jump through to change the frame with a different VIN. The frame vin is what SHOULD be legally registered on your title however there are many trucks not this way because BMV workers don't care and just read door VINs which are commonly swapped because they are left on doors when people replace them.

 

So I spent some time today looking over things a bit better, the front end is pretty different. Along with some of the things i mentioned in the OP ie: coil/shock towers, the steering is 100% different. The steering gear box on the 75 frame sits further to the front of the frame with the rear facing pitman arm and a longer steering shaft. Where as on the 77 frame, the steering box sits about 6 inches or so further back on the frame rail with a forward facing pitman arm.

I'm really back and forth about how to manage this project, the 75 frame is in outstanding shape compared to the current 77 frame. There is a lot of patch work needed on that frame to make it safe and I also need to find a crossmember for it as well. I'm just worried that doing the frame swap will create a lot of unforscene problems.

 

Yeah I forgot about the steering. I'm not sure what years they used which but the bendix (earlier models) is not a pump people seek to have. Most "upgrade" to the newer 78/79 Saginaw pumps. If you're not afraid to cut and notch the front frame rail/cross member then I don't think steering will stop you but yes can be a hurdle to overcome. Interesting on the front suspension. Good thing you're doing your homework. I'd prefer a good solid frame as opposed to a patched frame but if done right the patched frame should be fine too.

 

you know honestly I didnt even pay attention to whether or not the truck has power steering, I'll have to go take a look at that. But cutting the frame doesnt bother me but neither does patching the frame I use to build trailers and work in a fab shop so I think either route I could make something work! I think no matter what route I go I'm gonna have some pretty serious work ahead of me.

 

Well then yeah you'll be fine either way you go lol. Seems like as you said you just gotta choose which path you want to go down because both will have their fair share of work, good luck on your project! Post lots of pics regardless which way you go!

 

Will do! Hopefully this fall I will have time to get started on it. I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row before I jump in. I got some pictures of the two different pumps. I'll post them up. The current frame the truck sits on does have power steering.

 

One's power and one's not? The dirty power box is a Saginaw IMHO and it's well understood and is a pretty bulletproof box.
I'd not use a manual box if I had any inclination to use wide tires.

The F100 was the standard half-ton name until emissions regulations reached down into trucks. To be considered a truck the vehicle had to have more than a certain GVW. Engine emissions limits were higher for the heavier duty trucks and the emissions controls of the day usually caused driveability issues with engines tuned for fewer emissions. Also there were catalytic converters on many of the more tightly controlled lighter duty trucks. So the F100 "heavy duty" half was called the F150 and the Chevy used some term like "heavy half".

I do not believe there was much difference between the two except for springs. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but that is the impression I got at the time.

The subject is covered in depth on the Intenet.

R.