i am getting a ifs from scott's hot rods and ran into a problem with the dimensions they gave me. the dimensions they gave me are for a 61 and i figured it was because it has a straight axle. the dimensions i have on my 66 are bigger which i figured are because it is I-beam suspension, what i am after is if someone has come across this before and possibly has them written down.
hope someone can help.

 

fordman66,

Width of FoMoCo F Series frames depend on if a Pick Up or Stake Body [stake = flatbed] chassis. Stake Body came in F 250 & 350 models only. But all Pick Ups F100 - 350 are the same width.

Frame sections are the same for all standard duty frames. Some Heavy Duty frames ie: Camper/ Trailer Special, Heavy F 250 & 350, etc have a bigger section. Std Duty is 6.5" x 3/16" steel while the HD frames are 8.25 X 5/16" steel.

Wheel Bases vary from year to year & model to model, BUT for all intents & purposes, Ford F series frames are grouped by years in which they are same style/type of frame. Within these groupings there is often Body Style/Type overlap, where bodies look same/ similar, but actually are dimensionally different, as it the case with 61 - 64 compared to 65 & 66 F Series.

Some parts interchange between 61 - 66 on bodies themselves, but not on frames/ chassis of these two different periods. IT req's fabricating/ relocating cab mounts & powertrain mounts etc etc to co-mingle 61-4 & 65-6 bodies & chassis.

I hope I didn't confuse the issue too much, and I hope all this is of some help to you.
As you've already correctly discovered, or observed frames from 61 - 64 are dissimilar from 65 & 66, and yes the parallel leaf springs & single I beam are partially why. Also 61 - 61 use Style of engine & transmission mount introduced in 1954, w/ 1st OHV, V-8, Y- Block Engines. That design lasted through 64.

With the advent of 65 Production, everything changed, twin I beams, coils springs, new style Engine [power train] mounts & so forth were introduced. Steering box, body mount, support core, & a whole host of component designs were changed.

Thus. . . . all frames from 1965 thru 1979 are same/ very similar.
There is a discrepency in wheel base centers. It's two inches MOL but can be worked out or lived with easily.

SO. . . .if you want an exact dimension of a particular year, model,
body style, etc you need to specify which one. Otherwise let it be said that FoMoCo F Series frames are similar/ same from: 1948- 53 and 1954-60 and 1961-64 and 19965-79 and 1980-84 and 1985-96 and so forth.

For all intents & purposes I will tell you, an F-100/150 in heavy or std duty are same, F-150 heavy duty LWB & F250/350 std duty are the same. and F250/350 heavy duty are the same.

My 65 F 100 SWB is on a 1979 F 150 Trailer Special SWB Frame, It was a virtual bolt on swap. Yes! I did have to re-Drill mounting bolt holes in 65 Style Side short bed to get it to mount on 1979 chassis. Plus to that 79 F 150 T-Spcl I added some modified F 250 & F 350 suspension parts, also bolt on.

As for actual measurements in inches or feet & inches, I've not ever bothered to write them down because it never seemed to matter to me. I had to work with what I had. Subtle or minor differences made little difference. I check wheelbase & chassis width and make all the rest work as need be.

Later......FBp

 

FBp,
thanks alot, i figured there was a difference in the dimensions but am glad someone knew something about it. thanks again.

fordman_66

 

fordman-66, Welcome to FTE! Gee, you already have IFS! You can do a lot with the twin I-Beam suspension. What are your plans for this truck and what do you hope to achieve by installing another IFS? As a side note, I've been thinking about the IFS crossmember that uses all Dodge Dakota components on a 79 Ford frame with a Ford 9 inch. Post back I'm curious.

 

william,
well i want a good ifs in the front of this truck it is going to be powered by a stroked 429, aod, w/9" rear. i looked at alot of
ifs kits and i liked scotts the best, for 1- it was a one piece kit,
2- i had a choice of wilwood crossed drilled and slotted disc setup
or stainless a arms well i chose wilwood setup. i haven't heard too much about the dakota set up but have seen in classic truck that one of the editors or someone is doing a long box unibody with the dakota front end. it looks like a nice setup i just want to keep as much ford product in the truck that i can.

 

Excellent! Thanks for posting back! Does Scotts Hot Rod have a web site? How difficult is this crossmember to install. Does this system use rack steering? Front or back steer? I assume you remove the Ford crossmember and replace it with the Scott setup. Does this require notching or boxing the rails? Can you post pictures. On the AOD..is this electronically controled or does it use vacuum. Lots of questions I know! But I think 429-460 with AOD and a 9 inch are the best way to have huge power and some reasonable fuel economy (10 mpg). Are you anywhere in the southeast?