1958 f100
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1958 f100
I am looking at buying a '58 f100 roller. And I have an '81 f100 with a 300 straight 6. I am wanting to put the 300 into the '58 but I'm not sure how to hook up the power steering and power brakes. Do I frame swap, axle swap, or can I simply just use the original stuff in the '58. Thank you in advance, Jacob Thornton.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Jacob, that's a really BIG question with a lot of different "right" answers. Col Flashman was the acknowledged expert on installing the 300 in our trucks but I haven't seen him around in a while. I'll pass along my perspective, I'm sure you'll hear different ideas from others.
A frame swap would be difficult, at best. Your '58 has pretty standard flat frame rails 34" apart IIRC. The '81 will have a contoured frame to match the later body. I doubt any of the body mounts will line up. The only exception might be if the '58 floors are completely rotted out. Then it might be possible to build it up but would require an immense amount of fabrication.
As far as putting the 300 in your '58, I've heard it can be done with the same crossmembers and some of the mounts you would use for a 302. You swap the engine and transmission out of your other truck as a unit for the easiest changeover.
Axles will bring out a lot of opinions. Everyone has their favorite. I like the rugged simplicity of what is in the truck from the factory and (in my opinion) there's not much reason to make major changes unless you want to lower it excessively, or have it ride like a car. I'm not aware of anyone having swapped the Twin I-Beam front suspension. The only possible benefit to swap the rear axle would be to change the ratio. You can just change the center section and do that if you need to. I think the '81's still used the same 9" rear that's in your '58.
Power steering - With the stock front axle you can replace the steering box with one from CPP, add the necessary plumbing, and use the existing power steering pump on your '81 engine.
Power Brakes - There is a disc brake kit available for the original spindles. I would just buy the brackets and individual parts for the rest. I'm pretty sure the kit uses your '81 brake rotors and at least some of the bearings. You might only need GM calipers and pads to complete the changeover. Once you install the disc brakes, you'll need the proper master cylinder. Speedway and/or CPP sell that: with our without the power booster.
I know that's the "30,000 foot overview" but once you get started your questions can be more specific and there is lots of help available here.
Lou Manglass
A frame swap would be difficult, at best. Your '58 has pretty standard flat frame rails 34" apart IIRC. The '81 will have a contoured frame to match the later body. I doubt any of the body mounts will line up. The only exception might be if the '58 floors are completely rotted out. Then it might be possible to build it up but would require an immense amount of fabrication.
As far as putting the 300 in your '58, I've heard it can be done with the same crossmembers and some of the mounts you would use for a 302. You swap the engine and transmission out of your other truck as a unit for the easiest changeover.
Axles will bring out a lot of opinions. Everyone has their favorite. I like the rugged simplicity of what is in the truck from the factory and (in my opinion) there's not much reason to make major changes unless you want to lower it excessively, or have it ride like a car. I'm not aware of anyone having swapped the Twin I-Beam front suspension. The only possible benefit to swap the rear axle would be to change the ratio. You can just change the center section and do that if you need to. I think the '81's still used the same 9" rear that's in your '58.
Power steering - With the stock front axle you can replace the steering box with one from CPP, add the necessary plumbing, and use the existing power steering pump on your '81 engine.
Power Brakes - There is a disc brake kit available for the original spindles. I would just buy the brackets and individual parts for the rest. I'm pretty sure the kit uses your '81 brake rotors and at least some of the bearings. You might only need GM calipers and pads to complete the changeover. Once you install the disc brakes, you'll need the proper master cylinder. Speedway and/or CPP sell that: with our without the power booster.
I know that's the "30,000 foot overview" but once you get started your questions can be more specific and there is lots of help available here.
Lou Manglass
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