i was just wondering if a cab from a 61-66 will bolt right up to a 76 frame?...i think it will but not totally shure...thank yo ufor your help

 

nmv i found it....from the back of the cab to the front is the same.....awesome....sorry....
76 Drag

 

No they are Not the same. They will not simply interchange by bolting up to OEM holes and/or provisions. But the short answer does not mean interchange isn't possible, for it is possible with some modification and extra work.

65 thru 79 are the same and 61 thru 64 are the same. But 64 & 65 are different. Prior to 65, front suspension was single I beam with semi-eliptical style leaf springs, using a different steering box, steering and shift linkage.

In 65 Twin I beams using radius arms & front coil springs appeared. This makes front cab mounts, support core, inner & outer fenders way different between them. It's this difference that makes it possible to so easily upgrade 65 & 66 Versions to P/D/B & P/S while making the 61 thru 64 so difficult.

Having said all that, with some frame cab mount alteration & re-location, it's possible to adapt 65 & later frames to accept 61 thru 64 cabs & bodies, but there still remains a difference in rear, or CA, frame width & length to deal with. Nothing major, just more time consuming work to be done to make it happen. Also cab mount out riggers are available from some vendors just for this purpose. It has been done many times.

All this should be clearly archived here on 61-66 Ford Truck Enthusiast forum, Lord knows we've covered it numerous times.

FBp

 

65 -79 are not the same! I know that 76 Drag is asking about the front,but the statement that 65-79 frames are the same may lead him to think later
that if he wants to change to the correct bed " flairside" the top sides with
the 45° not the flat tops, the rear frame on a 65 is 33 3/4 and a 76 is 37 3/4.


When I was thinking that I was going to swap frames on my 65 to a 76 frame
I discoved that I would lose 2 inchs of tire clearance each side,I knew that I
was going to pro-street my truck by moving the leafs inboard ,I was not willing to lose the 4 inchs for big tires!





P.S 76 Drag the frames are close enough to bolt the cab up!

 

Look I don't want to get in a Dissing contest with you, Still you are absolutely wrong.

If you bothered to read my whole reply you'd have seen what you're trying to explain about the rear frame differences. The only 61-64 cab that bolts on later frame is 4X4.

61-64 2Wd drive cabs miss front cab mount of twin I beam frames by +/- 4 inches. AND frame kick is a different angle, in a different location, allowing for the radius arm mount brackets req'd for twin I beam suspensions. If it was easier to post photos here I'd post you a photograph of the difference so you could see for yourself. Then you would know the truth.

In addition, steering columns & boxes are totally different, in different positions, enter the cab at diferent angles, mount different to dashboard & are different styles, since single I beam uses a drag link & tie rod so it can float with the live, single I beam, axle & leaf spring motion. Twin I beams use center link design to "work" with twin I beams motions & flexing.

You are flat wrong about frames being equal enough to bolt 61-64 cabs to 65 & later twin I beam frames without doing some relocations & modifications beforehand. It's in lots of previous posts here at FTE & other 61-66 F Series Ford Truck sites. Too many people have gone thru and done the req'd conversion & preparation you ignore.

Don't give the guy misinformation. It's far more disappointing to lower cab only to find out you were wrong when 61-64 cab doesn't drop in place/ fit & it certainly DOES NOT fit. If you had done any you'd know that.

I don't care what your opinion of whether I am correct or not is, but I do care that you would equip a guy wrong with misinformation as you have done above.


FBp

 

76, As FBP answered the 65-66 cab will directly bolt up, the 61-64 will not.


John

 

Those of us that know FBP, know that he meant the cabs are the same from 65-79, at least in terms of mounts. That being said, after re-reading Pete's post, he does seem to state that 65-79 frames are the same. But I know he only meant the front end, cause the other fellow, 76 drag, was talking about cabs and not about boxes.

And Pro-street was talking about rear end stuff, about beds and fender clearances, all known issues, which he is correct in clarifying.

So, you are both right. Don't let the vaguaries of the forum and our less than perfect use of English get anyone up at arms.......

 

sorry guys...i didnt mean to start a war.......i just liked the 63....64 type more because of the little step in the door and where the emblems are....the f100...and other little things...and was just curious abvout the swap....i want to in the future...but for now i cant really do it...and was just getting all the information i can get...you guys are awesome...thank you for everything...
76 Drag

 

John'
Did you ever get to speak to Pruit about permission for "re-using" his photos on this subject so we could re-do the sticky and use actual illustrations to make these points?
I have a set of his photos somebody e-Mailed me a while back, and I have a photo of the front cab mount alteration also, and Rick sells the "outriggers" to make the "fit".
It's a common querey, and wrought with confusion as this threads dialogue indicates.
I know y'all feel as I do and that's do it right, get it right and explain it right, or else leave it alone until I can. . . . . I agree with 1976 Drag, the earlier cabs do have a certain "appeal" to them. . . . .
FBp

 

Pete, Purut seems to have disappeared. Don't know where he is hiding.

John

 

THANX John,
FBp