Front frame swap
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Front frame swap
I had a crazy idea, And I was hoping for some input on this weather it would work or not or just a bad idea. I have a 77 f150 with a 73 f100 4X4 chassis under it. That is not in the best of shape and has the power assist steering. I was walking throu a junk yard and saw a 79 Bronco striped down but had a complete front end. My idea was to cut the frame from the Bronco under the door somewere and do the same to my truck and weld in the Bronco front end and fish plate it. Am I missing anything? I know I would need to eather change that front end to the drum brakes or get the disk brake master cylinder. Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Man that seems like a lot more work than just swapping over what you need. The steering gear boxes can be converted, the sheet metal swaps over, ect ect. And if you are gonna try to weld a frame back together you had beeter know what you doing and use 7018 or some other low hydrogen rod. Unless you have done a lot of research on cutting and welding frames I would stay away from it. It is a real art .
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
IMO it would be an awful waste of time and $$$. What is in bad shape on your truck right now, it's already 4wd, what motor do you have in it?? Also, when buying junk from a yard you have no idea what condition all the front end components are in anyhow, (you can't drive it). I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish by swapping the front ends, is your current one damaged?? Anytime you cut the frame that makes me uneasy too unless you are a master welder. my 2 cents.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Thanks for your replies, I am looking for an easy way of fixing my steering. I know the problems with welding frames together and I am no master welder. I work on heavey equipment trucks and trailers for a liven and welded all sorts of things. So welding a frame doesn't seem that big of a deal it will be fishplated to be legal. I have run into some problems trying to convert it over to power steering. One problem is the truck has a 3'' lift on it and the manual draglink is to short. If I put all 79 linkage on than ends of the axle are too small. Just seems like problem after problem to go that way. The truck a 302 and maybe the bronco did also. I was just thinking about this I don't know what I am going to do.
