Frame swap
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Frame swap
After 20 years of driving Iowa gravel roads and highways in winter, the frame on my '79 F150 Custom 4x4, standard cab, 8' bed, is rotten from the cab back -- especially by the gas tank and rear leaf mounts, I've seen Swiss cheese that looks more structurally sound. I don't have the tools or know-how to repair it.
So, I'm bouncing around the idea of a ground-up rebuild on a different frame. Assuming that the only difference before and after will be the frame itself, which years would be worth looking for? I know 4x2s are probably too much work to bother with, but what about a '77 F250 4x4 or a '78 F150 4x4, for example.
So, I'm bouncing around the idea of a ground-up rebuild on a different frame. Assuming that the only difference before and after will be the frame itself, which years would be worth looking for? I know 4x2s are probably too much work to bother with, but what about a '77 F250 4x4 or a '78 F150 4x4, for example.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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I would stick with a 70s F150 4x4 frame for the easiest route. Do realize, though, that you will find a whole lot more wrong, like body mounts, brake lines, little stuff like that. It will nickle and dime you, but the swap is the best way.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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If you're going to be keeping everything but the frame, then you'll definitely need to stick with a late '70's F-150 4wd frame. Neither an F-150 2wd frame or F-250 frame in either 2wd or 4wd will work without at least some fabrication work.
I know that this isn't the popular thing to say, but you're probably better off (from a dollars & cents standpoint) finding another solid '70's Ford and using your existing truck for parts.
I know that this isn't the popular thing to say, but you're probably better off (from a dollars & cents standpoint) finding another solid '70's Ford and using your existing truck for parts.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 181
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Do realize, though, that you will find a whole lot more wrong, like body mounts, brake lines, little stuff like that.
If you're going to be keeping everything but the frame, then you'll definitely need to stick with a late '70's F-150 4wd frame.
you're probably better off (from a dollars & cents standpoint) finding another solid '70's Ford and using your existing truck for parts.
