85/87 truck conversion
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Joined: Oct 2003
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85/87 truck conversion
Just seeking advice for my weekend project. I have an 85 F-150 that I will be replacing the cab, engine and gas tank from an 87 model. I am only worried about the wiring and computer system being transferred from one to the other. I have not found anyone that has exchanged cabs so no one knows what will happen. And I also have a question about leveling my truck bed with the front end. My leaf springs are over the axle and it looks like it would be easy enough just to place the leaf springs under the axle with no extra parts dropping it the length of the axle, would this work? And someone tell me exactly what difference a 19-lb fuel injector wil make on my engine from the stock 12-lb.? I am excited about all this work for I am switching from an 85' 300 I6 carb. to an 87' 300 I6 Efi. This should make so much difference in the performance of my truck which it has lacked for so long! PLEASE HELP!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Chicago, IL
your project sounds simpler than mine. the for past 2 weeks, i've been converting my carb'd 300 L-6 into a fuel-injected beast. its a big PITA because of the wire config, decoding, and hooking up the fuel lines.
since your converting to fuelie, your going to need all the fuel line system from the donor truck. simple way is to just swap tanks, and all the acessories and wiring on the left frame rail. if you want to keep the tanks from the exsisting truck, you can, but you still need to drop the tanks to install the in-tank fuel pump with the return lines. it would be easier to just do the tank swap.
wiring isnt too hard, just disconnect evereything that goes to the truck's frame, and the engine. engine must be swapped in later.
the rear suspension: you can add leafs very easily as long as you have the muscle to remove those damn u-bolts! another alternative is to add blocks, however depending on the lenth of thread left over on the bolts, you may need new u-bolts.
since your converting to fuelie, your going to need all the fuel line system from the donor truck. simple way is to just swap tanks, and all the acessories and wiring on the left frame rail. if you want to keep the tanks from the exsisting truck, you can, but you still need to drop the tanks to install the in-tank fuel pump with the return lines. it would be easier to just do the tank swap.
wiring isnt too hard, just disconnect evereything that goes to the truck's frame, and the engine. engine must be swapped in later.
the rear suspension: you can add leafs very easily as long as you have the muscle to remove those damn u-bolts! another alternative is to add blocks, however depending on the lenth of thread left over on the bolts, you may need new u-bolts.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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still working hard
Well I spent all weekend on my truck and all that was done is taking everything off of the 87' and that was a project in itself. I took off the cab, efi I6 engine, wiring harness, gas tank, and had to take the double headers off all the way to the muffler b/c the 85 has a single end header. Should I stay with this double ended header or try to find a new single end? Next time I get free I will be removing the front end and all the other parts off of the 85' and make the swap, which I hope is fairly successfull without any major conflicts or adjustments.
