40 on later chassis
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 628
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From: Batavia Oh
40 on later chassis
Does anyone know about installing a 40 Ford truck on a S10 chassis.I know over on the 48-60 forum this is not recommended.The reason I ask is that I was at a cruise in tonight and talked to fella who has one for sell with this mod.Can it be done and get the tires in correct proportion with the fenders?I am interested in buying this truck and thought I would see what you guys have to say.May go and look at it Sunday.
Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 268
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From: a little S/E of Nome
The only problem that I can see with going to a S10 frame on a '40 P/U is, the '40 has a 'pinched' frame, whereby the front is much narrower that the rear, and the S10 is more of a rectangular frame. If you are going to 'slice and dice' the frame to fit the '40 body, why not just box the '40 and add the Mustang ll front end and be done with it.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 89
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From: southern New Hampshire
Have a few pictures in my gallery of the 40 and S10 chassis. The S10 is wider where the 40 cowl needs to sit. Since my 40 frame was rusted into pieces and had a lot of rust in the doors and cowl area I modified the doors and cowl to fit down over the S10. I also used the complete wiring harness and gauges from the S10. If I was to do it again with a donor frame I would try a Ranger with a mustang II front.
Dan
Dan
Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 268
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From: a little S/E of Nome
Hey Shorty Forty
I can't see much of a modification in the doors and fenders that you made on your truck, unless your talking about the excess space in between the doors and the running boards. Maybe you can post a few clearer pictures of what modifications that you made. You did a nice job on peaking the hood!!!
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: southern New Hampshire
Added to my gallery.
These are not the stock factory floors as they were completely rusted and gone, so I fabricated something that would work with the frame. Also had to modify the fiberglass running boards to fit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=95244&width=0
These are not the stock factory floors as they were completely rusted and gone, so I fabricated something that would work with the frame. Also had to modify the fiberglass running boards to fit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=95244&width=0
Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 268
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From: a little S/E of Nome
Wayne S.
Take note of Shortyfourty's last picture of the door and floor area and you will see exactly what kind of problems you can encounter. Like I said, the '40 frame is pinched at the front. I would rather build a new set of frame rails then have it look thisway. There are lots of plans with excellent measurements for rebuilding a new frame for the '40.
Shortyfourty,
I can see what kind of work that you went through to try an iron out that frame problem. I think that you could still 'slice and dice' that frame a bit and hide the kickout in the front behind those big '40 front fenders. If that running board was raised a bit and contoured a bit with some styling filler or a section of half round 1 1/2 tubing, the door extension could be removed to stock size. Of course, that's just looking at it from one prospective. I'm sure your more acquainted with it than the look I had. Nice hood!
Take note of Shortyfourty's last picture of the door and floor area and you will see exactly what kind of problems you can encounter. Like I said, the '40 frame is pinched at the front. I would rather build a new set of frame rails then have it look thisway. There are lots of plans with excellent measurements for rebuilding a new frame for the '40.
Shortyfourty,
I can see what kind of work that you went through to try an iron out that frame problem. I think that you could still 'slice and dice' that frame a bit and hide the kickout in the front behind those big '40 front fenders. If that running board was raised a bit and contoured a bit with some styling filler or a section of half round 1 1/2 tubing, the door extension could be removed to stock size. Of course, that's just looking at it from one prospective. I'm sure your more acquainted with it than the look I had. Nice hood!
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: southern New Hampshire
As I stated above, the cab floors, door sills and doors were completely rusted away. I replaced at least 8 inches of the lower door skins and about 4 inches of the bottom inside of the doors, giving me the opportunity to do what ever was needed. If this was a rust free cab I definately would have done it(frame) a lot differently.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Northwest Fl
I am putting my 55 on a 69 F100 frame and it is wider in tract width than the 55 so I'll have to correct with some offset rims. I beleive the earlier trucks were even narrower than the 55, so that could be a problem for you.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Batavia Oh
Thanks for the replies guys.I went and took a look at this truck and did not like what I saw.The front end sat way to high.The paint was pretty nice but someone had tried to fill the cab seams behind the doors and they were cracked on both sides.The underneath was kinda rusty.I was thinking of trading my 75 Corvette convert valued at 21,000 for the truck but didn't feel it was worth it.Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: commerce city co
get a classic truck catalog they have rolling 40 frames from bare frame to complete rolling chassis with mustang 2 front suspentions any diff you want and either ford or gm mounts from 1 to 3 thousand depending on how radical you want and original body bolts to it time u figure fabing and your time might be cheaper for you in the long run
New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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i have a 1983 ranger frame under my 40 pickup. there was a little fabrection to do,but it wasnt that bad.i to had a very rusty frame.so itook the frame rails from just behind the cab,and right in front of the cab and grafted them to the ranger frame so i wouldhave all the body and running board holes.the only thing i should have done was use a98 or newer frame so i could lower it with air bags.