I have a 76 F100 donor with a fresh 360/C6, PS, non-power disc brakes. How much can I use in the way of mounts, brackets, radiator, steering column, and any other useable parts in updating my 66? I converted a 66 to PS/PDB several years ago but the knowledge has left me.

 

Welcome to (FTE)!

I would keep all that you listed and, brackets,column and the column to firewall bracket,steering box,engine stands, all the brake parts, rad, hogs head,you may want to sell the parts you don't need!

P.S If the cab corners are good you may consider cutting them out if you
mess with a lot of these old trucks.

 

Thanks, I wasn't sure what year my "donor" was the last time (25+years ago) The 76 has a great front clip, but cab and bed are rusted, electrical's shot, and its a LWB. Had the 360 rebuilt 7 years ago (why I often ask myself) should make a fine mill for 66 stepside.

 

comochja, Welcome to FTE

You might want to think about moving the sheet metal of the 66 over to the newer chassis. The cab & front clip is a direct boltup, and could be moved in one piece with some top level planning. The chassis is about 4 " longer, can be cut off, and is the end that counts less.

Just a thought

John

 

John, you have given me alot to think about, but I'll probably do the parts change. I don't know a good welder, my donor is a LB, and I'm going to have to recondition some stuff (steering box, transmission, etc) anyway, might as well get greasy. I have more engine lifts than friends to help in that big an undertaking.

 

I'm doing the body swap from my '66 to a '76 chassis (hiboy) - pics are at http://markdevaney.com/truck if that's any help to you.

Mark

 

Mark, looks great, that's the only way to go with a 4x4 I'm sure. I'm limited by garage space and equipment, but thanks for the ideas.

 

Keep in mind that if you do move the sheet metal to the LWB frame, besides
the frame being longer its also wider, you will have to redrill the holes in the
bed, and most important of all you will have to remove the rear leaf to frame
mounts (hangers) and move them forward, to center the rear wheels in the
wheel openings!





P.s if you are going to make it SWB, thats the way this post is sounding!

 

It is a SWB stepside 2WD. I'll more than likely just do the swap - I-beams, steering, etc. One question I still have even after viewing many old posts, Will my 76 FE motor mounts work if I convert to PS, and will the 9" chunk from my 76 work with my 66 axles? I found alot of conflicting info when I searched. Also, in the past I always removed the front clip when doing motor/suspension swaps. Is this recommended or frowned on? Thanks

 

I have not did this swap with power steering, so I am going from what I have
read here ( FTE)! You will need the frame perchs from the PS truck or you
will have to notch a non power steering frame perch. Alright all of the 73-79
trucks that I have work on in the past years were 28 spline, but they were
( All ) 302-351W and inline 6, but I stated this (fact) on a post that was
going on here and (picker 66) then states that the only 73-79 truck that he
has work on were'' big block and 31 spline''!


P.S so it looks like to me if your donor truck is a factory big block truck you
have 31 spline and if it turn out it came from the factory with small block or
inline 6 you would have 28 spline! I have read on here in many places that
some posts state that '' all 73-79 were 31 spline " but I have to disagree!

 

Camper jacks work very well for complete cab and front clip removal, unbolt it all from the frame jack it up and roll out the old chassis then in with the new!