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Hi all,
I’m in the early stages of planning a project and have some basic questions.
I’m looking to build a truck off a mid 60’s F frame. I’ll be replacing the engine with a Cummins and upgrading transmission, axels, etc.
Since I’m basically looking for a chassis and cab, how different are the cabs and chassis size across the 150-250-350-500 platforms? I don’t want to limit my search for a nice body if they’re relatively the same.
The cab size is the same across F100 to F500 from 61 to 66 with a slight increase in head room beginning in '64. The floor pan changed in '65 for F100 and F250 2wd with the introduction of the twin I beam front axle. The model changed for '67 for F100 to F350 but may have held over for F500.
Frames get heavier as you move up to the F250 and F350. They can be easily swapped but the F350 will have large radius front fenders if that matters for what you're building.
If you're going to do a Cummins swap, I think I would look for an F-350 or larger truck. Heavier frame, more room to work (no front crossmember under the oil pan.
Also, the larger trucks aren't nearly as popular (Expensive) as the pickups. The only downside is you don't get a pickup bed, unless you build something custom.
I have seen an old F-600 turned into a pickup, using a military M-105 trailer bed. Really common item, cheap, old school ****** style fenders.
People who turn M35A2's (Deuce and a half) into "Bobbers", single axle pickups also use the M105 trailer body for a bed. They provide a neat way to make a cool looking pickup out of a bigger chassis. Really heavy metal.......
Last edited by rdixiemiller; Jul 14, 2020 at 04:01 PM.
Reason: Added pictures
Not sure what Cummins the OP is looking at swapping in, but this is a thread showing a 6BT 12V installed in a 1966 F250 4x4. Not a ton of details but a few good shots of the engine compartment.
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.
