When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm curious, are the frames the same from 1980 through 1996, if not when did they change? I know where i can get a near perfect body, but its a 2wd, and I'd love to swap the body onto a 4x4 chassis.
They are 80-90% similar. I think the 87 up or 92 up have front crumple zones or slightly longer for the larger bumpers. Rad/core supports are different for each gen. Cross members vary on engine/trans/cab config as well as weight class.
things to consider:
extended vs regular cab
4x4 vs 2wd
manual vs auto
dual vs single gas tank
f-100 vs f-350
It can absolutely be done but may require varying levels of fab work depending on configurations listed above.
Front bumper mounts different 80 to 86, 87 to 91 and 92 to 96 which also has crumple zones. Swiss cheese frames on the 80/81 F100. Possibly also the F150 and lighter GVW F250.F250/350 frames are heavier gauge material and the heavier F250/f350 4WD have leaf spring front suspensions all years. Rear leafs can be 2.5" or 3" depending on application, but all axles bolt to the same spring center. Cab and chassis frames are different from pickup box frames. TTB 4WD components will bolt in place of ITB 2WD arms in the F100/150. A coil sprung 2WD F250/350 may be a good candidate for a later model Super Duty axle swap because of the coil spring front suspension. Cab and box mounts are the same across all years as long as you stay with the same configuration. Covers about everything I can think of at the moment.
Have you considered swapping 4WD axles onto a 2WD frame? That, plus a transmission and transfer case would work.
Some of the 80-81 F100s had the "swiss cheese frames."
And this was factory...NOT after a few winters...........LOL!!!
Had to tow my '95 the other day because the starter failed at lunch and I was not in the mood to lay in the icy slush and fix it. The wrecker driver was complaining because he was having troubles finding a hole to hook his chain in. I told him this is likely the ONLY '95 F150 in Ohio without any "extra" holes in the frame!!!
I'm curious, are the frames the same from 1980 through 1996, if not when did they change? I know where i can get a near perfect body, but its a 2wd, and I'd love to swap the body onto a 4x4 chassis.
The simple answer is NO.
80-81 is one style with the Large holes put in the side to "lighten" the frame
82-86 is Identical to the 80/81 but without the holes
87-91 is the same as the 82-86 but thicker metal is used
92-96 has different front horns.
NOW...... All the body mounting is the same from 80-96. That means you could take a 1980 body and it will bolt right on to a 1996 from and vise vera
Any ideas about people turning the front springs around so the shackle is on the rear end and extending the front mount about 4 inches to “lift” the truck? The rear end has the shackle inverted on an aftermarket mount to “lift” the truck. I have found some factory mount for the rear and that hopefully will bring the back end back to stock level.
The front end, I hope, will just be to turn the leaf springs around, cut the “extended” mount out and put the shackle on the front the way ford designed it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
