Does anyone know if a 53-55 F-100 will fit on an S-10 frame without major modifications? Any other frame swaps that match up close? Thanks

 

There is no such thing as a frame swap "without major modifications". It has been done, but details are few. A whole frame swap requires a lot of patience and fabrication skill. An easier approach would be to keep your F-100 frame and consider an IFS swap and later rear end...

Vern

 

Vern has pretty much given you the bottom line on this. The subject is brought up about once a month or so and the sharp eyed viewers here as well as the archives fail to produce any information. This would indicate that no one here has done the swap and/or has any information that they are willing to share.

This has always piqued my curiosity... so if you find anything let us know. thanks, himmelberg

 

I know of (3) 48-51 on complete S-10 frames.

 

OK Joe;

You've got my interest peaked. I was originally going to go with my 50 F47 on S-10 frame, but the general concensus was it involved major mods to the frame and body mounts.

What can you give us on the three TS10 frame swaps you've seen ?

Tom

 

Thanks for your responses. Let me change my question. Has anyone done a 53-55 effie cab and bed to frame swap that worked well. I have a friend that can make modifications; I just wanted any tips, problems,suggestions, etc. that anyone encountered while making the swap ( especially the S-10).

 

Im using a 1999 Ranger frame (seriously modified) for my 1949 F-1.


As for the S-10's, you can contac the respectiv e owners, here are where they are located. And yes, the look that good in person as well.


1951 F-1 on S10 Frame... http://streetsourcemag.com/Profile.aspx?Profileid=24060

1948 F-1 on S10 Frame.... http://streetsourcemag.com/Profile.aspx?Profileid=24013

1953 F-100 on S10 frame.... http://streetsourcemag.com/Profile.aspx?Profileid=23804

Everyone here seems to think that a frame swap is either a.) too difficult or b.) maybe just like original versions better or c.) favor the MII suspensions because of the ease of installation and avalibilty of the parts. It really depends on what your willing to get into. I understad that these take ALOT of fabrication, but to someone wanting to build a rod, most of the truck is exactly that. Either way, hope this helps.

Some other things that may be helpful. When your choosing the frame you want to use make sure to take lots of measurements. Measure the width of the frame at many ket areas. Obviously under the cab front and back, the very back of frame, the frame horns when making comparisons. The S-10 and Ranger frames (Explorer possibly too years 95-01) all have the measurents to be within 1 1/2 inches of the F-1 frame. The F-1 frame does have a 2 1/2 -3 1/4 difference in wheel base in comparison to the above listed Frames. If your going to backhalf your frame for a desired suspension, the wheelbase is not a problem as you can make it exact to fit your bed when you build it. As far as mounting the cab, if your a decent fabricator you could simply built new mounts based on the design of the bold ones. Ive even seen cab mounts reused on new frames (youll have to replace the rubber pieces though). You will also have to fabricate a new radiator support. Depending on what motor your using, you could easily modify the one that belonged to your frame donor. Ive built 3 late model trucks in past 5 years. All with air ride suspension and two that had bodydrops. This is going to be the most difficult so far. When I get a few more things done with my frame Ill post pictures.

 

"Everyone here seems to think that a frame swap is either a.) too difficult or b.) maybe just like original versions better or c.) favor the MII suspensions because of the ease of installation and avalibilty of the parts. It really depends on what your willing to get into. I understad that these take ALOT of fabrication, but to someone wanting to build a rod, most of the truck is exactly that."

I can't speak for anyone else here. But about once a month somebody cames on here and says

"please tell me what frame I can slap my Effie body on that will be easy, or not require major mods, or something to that effect"

And the correct answer is an Effie frame.

I agree an S10 could be a nice swap. And it might not even be terribly difficult if you had somebody experienced in the swap that would be real handy throughout your project. Without that, you better be a master fabricator or you'll be making many errors on your first attempt. I've proven that's also the case on a stock Effie frame too though.

And I understand your point Joe, there is a ton of fabbing in ANY rod. It's just tough enough already without putting yourself in a hole to start. It's my opinion you need to be an above average fabber, with a nice tool set to do a frame swap, and have something when you are done. I've seen to many poorly done swaps to think it is simple job appropriate for a novice.

 

FatFenders...Agreed. I was just trying to give a little insight and give vague details of what could be involved but more importantly...anything is possible.

 

Joe...and Dennis... got your email but saw the answers here... I looked at your three examples and they are nice.... but I wondered if asked... would they do another one ??

fenders spoke right.... yea, our old trucks desire a lot of fab... but we're not backing up to go forward... well ?maybe I have a couple of times... anyway like D said... it's hard enough when you have parts that fit and not have to fab the basics first... YMMV

john

 

Joe;

Those are definitely sweet rides, all nicely done.....maybe next time.. Right now I got my hands full with the stock frame, 50 F47.

Tom

 

Thanks everybody, plenty of "food for thought"!

 

The second link to street source is interesting.

The mounts for the body look pretty simple. The rear mounts look like they bolt under the floor in place of the standard "dogbone" mounts.

The front crossmember for the Radiator support cradle looks pretty simple.

With the amount of front and rear kick up in the S10 chassis it would be real low, and there is heaps of aftermarket air ride gear for S10's out there.

It is interesting looking in the background at the guys shed and tools.......kind of backs up fatfenders comments on the skill/equipment levels required for this swap??

NICE CHOPTOP as well...

 

Personally I would not do, but I do like it. It’s just way too much work for the same result I could get with the stock frame. If you have a good stock frame there are so many options now that for me it’s just not necessary. Unless you look at the want to be different factor. I met a guy at a truck show that put his 55 chevy truck on a 72 monte carlo frame. Was it nice yes. But he said it was a heck of a lot of work. But man I must admit that those ford look nice on the S10 frame.