body swap question
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 73
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From: in the double wide traile
RE:body swap question
I have a 78 F-150 reg.cab long bed 4X4 truck.I found a 79 ext.cab short bed 2WD truck.What I want to do is pull the body off the 79 ext.cab and put on my 78 frame.I also want to put the short bed off the 79 onto the 78.Both the trucks have the same motor and transmission all I'm doing is a body swap.
I figured since my 78 was a reg.cab long bed.And the 79 being a ext.cab short bed the swap should work I would just need to add more body mounts on the back of my frame for the ext.cab.
But can anyone give me some help on this would it really work???
Thanks,
Dan
I figured since my 78 was a reg.cab long bed.And the 79 being a ext.cab short bed the swap should work I would just need to add more body mounts on the back of my frame for the ext.cab.
But can anyone give me some help on this would it really work???
Thanks,
Dan
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
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From: Nebraska Farm
Your problem is the wheelbase is different. I don't have my cheat sheet with me but the difference is either 4 or 6 inches. From memory here, the short box is 18 inches shorter than a long box, but the extended cab added 22 inches. I'm sure someone has the details and could confirm this.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
It can be done, but like Dave said, the wheel base is different - so you would have to extend the frame, shorten the box, or use a flatbed.
I think the frame isn't level the whole way, you may have to raise up the cab (custom body lift) in order to get the supercab to sit level on the regular cab frame.
Do a search, this has been discussed in detail in the past.
Marty
I think the frame isn't level the whole way, you may have to raise up the cab (custom body lift) in order to get the supercab to sit level on the regular cab frame.
Do a search, this has been discussed in detail in the past.
Marty
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
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From: Conroe, Tx. USA
That tidbit helps me, too.
I have a 79 reg cab w/ long bed and recently found a supercab to swap on. I did get the rear cab mounts off the donor long bed frame, and noticed the sloping of the frame itself.
I was hoping to find a short box but now I know that won't fit my situtation. Looks like I am shortening my long box to fit.
I guess the original 'Custom' badging finds a new meaning.
I have a 79 reg cab w/ long bed and recently found a supercab to swap on. I did get the rear cab mounts off the donor long bed frame, and noticed the sloping of the frame itself.
I was hoping to find a short box but now I know that won't fit my situtation. Looks like I am shortening my long box to fit.
I guess the original 'Custom' badging finds a new meaning.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Bass Lake, CA
WOW!
you guys shortening beds to fit, instead of lengthening frames? why???!!!???
tis SOOO much easier to lengthen a frame, especially with a donor! you could actually section the s/c portion where the cab mounts, and have a damn near stock appearing vehicle, the bed fits, the spare tire, fuel tanks, and cab is all correct...i just dont understand.
im still looking for a CHEAP s/c to use for this project. a $500 welder, a bunch of milk crates, or jackstands, and a long winter in the garage should be all thats required.
could even box the frame the whole way and make it alot stronger than ford ever did...
you guys shortening beds to fit, instead of lengthening frames? why???!!!???
tis SOOO much easier to lengthen a frame, especially with a donor! you could actually section the s/c portion where the cab mounts, and have a damn near stock appearing vehicle, the bed fits, the spare tire, fuel tanks, and cab is all correct...i just dont understand.
im still looking for a CHEAP s/c to use for this project. a $500 welder, a bunch of milk crates, or jackstands, and a long winter in the garage should be all thats required.
could even box the frame the whole way and make it alot stronger than ford ever did...
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Conroe, Tx. USA
Unfortunately I don't have the donor s/c frame. I bought the cab off EBay and picked it up this summer. All I got were the two rear cab mounts to hopefully adapt for my truck and existing frame.
I guess I knew the cab was worth the price and restoring and I wanted more interior room. Maybe, as long as this is taking, I will find a donor frame and just swap my drivetrain over. Who knows.
I wouldn't consider lengthening my frame at this point. I am not very exprerienced w/ a welder (yet) and don't currently have one (it is on my gunna get soon list) and when I swapped in the 429 drivetrain I had my driveshaft shortened by a shop. I know this current setup works great and don't really want to mess w/ it.
The thought of shortening my bed, which is in good shape, seems more appealing for now. Like I said, this may take awhile as it is a project and I don't depend on it for getting to work.
I guess I knew the cab was worth the price and restoring and I wanted more interior room. Maybe, as long as this is taking, I will find a donor frame and just swap my drivetrain over. Who knows.
I wouldn't consider lengthening my frame at this point. I am not very exprerienced w/ a welder (yet) and don't currently have one (it is on my gunna get soon list) and when I swapped in the 429 drivetrain I had my driveshaft shortened by a shop. I know this current setup works great and don't really want to mess w/ it.
The thought of shortening my bed, which is in good shape, seems more appealing for now. Like I said, this may take awhile as it is a project and I don't depend on it for getting to work.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
Originally posted by hell on wheels
That's what I wasn't sure about was the frames not being the same length.I just wish the ext.cab one was 4WD their rare and worth alot of money.
Thanks,
Dan
That's what I wasn't sure about was the frames not being the same length.I just wish the ext.cab one was 4WD their rare and worth alot of money.
Thanks,
Dan
They are so rare, in fact, that they don't exist! At least FoMoCo didn't make one.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 73
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From: in the double wide traile
Well does anyone know for sure if I could put the supercab on my 4X4 truck frame and weld the rear mounts off the other frame for the extended part of the cab onto my 4WD frame and then just go with a flatbed???
I would like to buy this truck and use it for parts cause it's got the same motor and tranny as myne.
Thanks,
Dan
I would like to buy this truck and use it for parts cause it's got the same motor and tranny as myne.
Thanks,
Dan
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
With a welder and some skills you can do anything.
Its not really a question of fit, since it will be totally custome anyway. Its a question of practicality. If its what you want, then you will find a way to make it work.
Its not really a question of fit, since it will be totally custome anyway. Its a question of practicality. If its what you want, then you will find a way to make it work.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 73
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From: in the double wide traile
Well I don't wanna have to customize everything just for a cab swap.I just thought I could pull my reg. cab off and put the super cab on and then have a custom flat bed made to go behind it.I think it should work as long as the cabs aren't all that different.
Dan
Dan
