Rolling chassis wanted
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
Rolling chassis wanted
I am looking for a 73-79 rolling chassis to begin my 12V cummins build. I'm not looking for anything high dollar, or super fancy as of yet. Just something with minimal rust. I already have a dana 60 front from a 1st gen dodge and a dana 70 rear from the same truck- so axles aren't extremely important. I'm a qualified welder/fabricator I believe, and am set up to do so. I know there are some frame differences among the years, but am certainly still learning. I will accumulate parts as I go (I have a big shop) so trans and transfer case haven't yet been decided. What I have right now is a '98 12V cummins inline pump engine with 79,000 miles from a medium duty ford backed by a spicer 6 speed. Any insight with this build would be appreciated. I'm in western NY but could travel a reasonable amount. I just thought someone out there might be reasonably close and have some things to get me started. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 323
From: SW PA
Your definition of minimal rust, expected price point, and final desire of your project will dictate if you look at Buffalo/Erie area or Seattle/Portland.
Not many "minimal rust" trucks (to me) in WNY.
Not many "minimal rust" trucks (to me) in WNY.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
Points well taken. To me, minimal rust means solid and usable. Something I can bring home, sandblast, paint, and only do minimal repairs. I don't want a frame that looks like swiss cheese! I'm planning this truck to be used, not looked at. I'm past the stage of wanting to look "cool" with a huge wood stove pipe coming out from behind the cab (not that there's anything wrong with that)! And, I guess I'm not yet to the stage of wanting a restored truck. I want something with nostalgic appeal (my dad had a 74 and I had a 76) but very usable for pulling around my skid steer and mini excavator. It may even be a flat bed, although I prefer the looks of the regular 8' bed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 6
I have a bunch of 73-79 frames/rolling chassis' in upstate NY. 2WD & 4WD, nice clean southern frames, & rusty scaly north east frames. If interested in something let me know what configuration you're looking for.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
Sounds just like what I'm looking for. PM's sent.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Isn't that front dodge axle passenger side drop? Ford was always driver drop, gonna have to get a chevy, or an early dodge, divorced tcase for a pass drop unless the Spicer has a bolt on, pass drop option. There's nothing wrong with the dodge 60, especially since you can fab and make it work, but if I was going through the trouble of swapping to a totally different axle, it'd be a '08+ F250/350 D60. Those thing are beef and ride way better with the coils and radius arms. If you could could get a 73-77.5 highboy chassis they're set up for a divorced tcase already, that way you won't have to re-engineer all the crossmembers and mounts, maybe just some minor changes.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
Well honestly the long and short of it is as follows. I call the dodge axles mine, as they are on a junk first gen cummins that belongs to my cousin. It isn’t going anywhere, but I haven’t officially bought them from him either. So I’m kind of reconsidering going with them and just trying to find a complete parts truck to start with. My initial though was it would be easier and cheaper to just go one step at a time and start by getting a chassis and swapping axles and fitting the my cummins- kind of paying as I go rather than fronting a bunch of cash to buy a truck and then tearing it all apart. If anyone has a parts truck I’m still looking.
New User
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Future State of Jefferson
I am looking for a 73-79 rolling chassis to begin my 12V cummins build. I'm not looking for anything high dollar, or super fancy as of yet. Just something with minimal rust. I already have a dana 60 front from a 1st gen dodge and a dana 70 rear from the same truck- so axles aren't extremely important. I'm a qualified welder/fabricator I believe, and am set up to do so. I know there are some frame differences among the years, but am certainly still learning. I will accumulate parts as I go (I have a big shop) so trans and transfer case haven't yet been decided. What I have right now is a '98 12V cummins inline pump engine with 79,000 miles from a medium duty ford backed by a spicer 6 speed. Any insight with this build would be appreciated. I'm in western NY but could travel a reasonable amount. I just thought someone out there might be reasonably close and have some things to get me started. Thanks.
I am helping my neighbor sell a nearly perfect and rust free77 RWD F-150, but I am in CA. Here is the Ebay link, if it does not sell the price will go down. Just throwin it out there.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1200...&sojTags=bu=bu
Cheers,
TD.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post