Hi all, newer forum user here and young truck (Ford) enthusiast here. I apologize in advance as I am sure theres a forum on this subject already but I am unable to find exactly what I am hoping to get. So.... what I was mainly hoping to get is some info and some tips from guys that have done this already. I have a 1986 f150 reg cab long bed straight 6 4 speed 4x4 with a rotten frame. I am buying a good frame from a 95 f150 that is setup the same. Do to lack of car lift I was hoping to lift the body up along with the engine/transmission at the same time so that I don't have to disconnect everything from the cab and the frame. If anyone has any usefull tips on how to go about attempting this would be appreciated. Also, what are all the things I will have to disconnect from the frame to the body?
Thanks in advance

 

I'm afraid lifting the body along with the motor and trans off the frame at the same time, while I'm not going to say impossible, would be very dangerous and not really encouraged. The frame is the backbone / main structural member that everything is attached to. I strongly recommend removing a piece at a time, the bed, front clip, cab then engine and trans then reassemble in reverse order.

 

Thank you jade79 for the input. I was afraid that would be most peoples suggestion... I was just hoping to save time and frustration. Is it really difficult to do all that?

 

Not difficult, just a bit time consuming. I highly recommend putting all the fasteners in various Ziploc bags and labeling them as you go. Draw illustrations and take notes as well. Take your time and think things through.

 

The cab is made to come off the frame without too much trouble. That is how they put it together at the factory. Pull the bed. Pull the hood off. Pull the grille, radiator support, front fenders (inner and outer) off in one piece(this is called the front clip). Unplug the cab, undo the mounts and lift it up and roll the frame and engine/trans/rearend out on the wheels and tires.

Swap all the drivetrain onto the new frame and the put everything back on in reverse order.

 

Now what no one has brought up is using the 95 frame to mount the 86 parts on.
All the parts should fit from the rear bumper right up to the front fenders.
The front bumper is a different story and maybe the radiator support?
Dave ----

 

Never heard of any problems with the radiator support fitting on different frames. If he was handy, when the frames where bare, he might be able to cut the very front of each frame off and weld the older frame front frame horns onto the newer frame. I have never done this, so I do not know if it would work or not.

 

True, this also makes me think of the vin stamped on the frame not matching the one on cab. May not be much of a problem if the truck stays with the current owner forever, but if it gets sold to someone where their state "authorities" are picky, when it comes time for them to register it, it could be a problem.

 

Radiator support mounts are the same, so that part of the swap should be OK. Front bumper horns are different, yes. The front end of the frame on the 1995 would have to be modified/cut in order for the 1986 bumper to mount and match up with the body OK.

It's pretty simple actually. Not necessarily easy...but it IS simple.

Disconnect the hydraulic clutch. If it were me, I'd remove the clutch master, line, and slave all together and set them aside.
Remove shifter from transmission.
Disconnect tail light wiring, and fuel tank fill hose(s) and lift the bed off the truck.
Disconnect speedo cable at the transfer case and leave it connected to the cab.
Disconnect steering shaft from steering box (at rag joint, 1 bolt on the splined pinch connection).
Disconnect frame harness from cab (tail light wiring, fuel sender, reverse switch, etc).
Disconnect charging and starting wiring (RH front fender) and disconnect ignition and sensor wiring (LF fender liner)
Disconnect heater core hoses.
Disconnect throttle cable.
Disconnect the brake proportioning valve connector on the frame.
Disconnect vacuum line from brake booster.
Disconnect brake lines from master cylinder.

Lift cab off frame.

The front clip is easy. I'd almost be inclined to leave the fenders connected to the cab. Just remove the hood and the rad support.

Once you disconnect the headlights and the horn and radiator hoses, you can lift the rad support right off the truck with the radiator and grill and everything attached.

Does the replacement 1995 frame still have the rubber cab mounts and radiator support mounts in place in decent condition? I can guarantee you that if the frame is rotten in the 1986, you won't be re-using the cab and radiator core mounts from it. You'll probably have to run all new brake lines as well.

 

Authorities are notoriously lazy and the numbers on the frame are very difficult to find and read. I doubt there will be a problem with it.

 

Where on an 86 is the chassis vin located. Cheers

 

Passenger side, behind the front wheel on top of the frame, near the front pass side cab mount area.

 

Thank you all for the information and tips, they are greatly appreciated. And to answer some questions I do not have the 95 frame yet so i don't know what exactly I am working with yet. I am working on getting it from a guy parting out his truck. (And I am using a different account but I am the same guy who started this thread)

 

 

As many as I please smartass.
It wouldn't let me log in to that account so I had to make a new one