So, I have a 1965 F100. 2wd, just cab and chassis. Small block auto trans. I have been considering making it a 4wd dually because why the hell not. It's a bit shorter than a short wheel base as my dad had it cut down for moving boats around the yard at his boat business back in the day. So was originally going to do a 1 wire 12valve diesel in it, and hang a D60 up front and 14 bolt under the rear. Build a custom western hauler style flat bed to pull my goose neck with my jeep, camper, and even drag my boat to the water.

Now, I have an opportunity to get my hands on a 1989 F350 single cab flat bed. It's 4wd and powered by a 460 and a 5 speed. PERFECT! For what I am wanting to do, will be the perfect donor truck to make my moves with. Now I have been researching a bunch to see if it can be done or should be done. And what I am finding is this cab and front end swap onto a 72-79 is not a problem. But I cannot find anything that talks about putting a 65 cab on a newer frame than the 79. I mean, I know anything can be done with a welder and torches with some time added, but trying to see what I am getting into before I do. I don't have the 89 yet, so I cannot just pull a tape and start measuring to see what fits and what don't.

Anyone with any experience in this area that can give me some warnings, advise, or things that I cannot see popping up to hit me in the wallet?

THanks in advance.

 

the big thing is that you will need to fabricate new cab mounts due to the wider frame. and then electrical differences due to the computer controlled EFI of the 460.
of course, you could always swap the EFI for a carb and eliminate the computer.

 

yea, so for the EFI, I plan on scrapping that and going HEI and carb. As far as fabbing cab mounts, if that’s the only issue, me and Dr. Hobart will get to cracking and make that work.

 

Good luck getting GM's HEI system working on your Ford.

 

good choice with the HEI distributor.
just make sure you have a good 12 volt power source for the HEI.

 

yea. Will probably wind up rewiring the entire thing. It tends to be easier than trying to scan and patch. Just start over. Thanks for the insight.

 

I feel like some erroneous terminology is being used here. What are you calling HEI? There's no way you're going to physically install a GM distributor in a Ford engine. It simply won't fit. GM coined the term HEI. (High Energy Ignition). I've been building engines since the early 80's and have never heard anyone using HEI in language that did not reflect a GM product.

Pardon my confusion here, as an engine builder it doesn't make any sense to me.

 

Id be glad to pop the hood on my 55 and send you a picture of a GM style HEI on a Ford 460. I also have one on the shelf to fit a 302.

 

Ahh aftermarket system, ok that makes sense.