Sub framing a 78?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Sub framing a 78?
First off Hello all, not new to the site I just spend most of my time over in the 48-60 area on my 48 Panel truck project. My question is, I have a 78 F-100 and I really want to get this thing LOW, I don't really care for the lowered I beams and I have a 90 Crown Vic cop car. I bought the car mainly for the 351W interceptor but also had planned on clipping the 48 with it, however apparently it is too wide. Next thought is can I use the front clip on the 78 rather than letting it go to waste? Anybody done this? Suggestions please!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Myself, I would try to graft the suspension on rather than hack the frame. It should be doable that way. Trying to hook the frames up would be quite difficult I would think. That would be a godd suspension to work with though. I had thoughts of doing that kind of thing to a Ranger should I get my hands on one, for better ride and handling. Rangers don't need much for weight capacity, and I have my F250 for those jobs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Madison, SD
Fly, I have used the Crown Vic front on a number of hot rod projects, even know am in the process of completing a 'glass bodied '49 Merc on a complete Crown Vic chassis. IMO they are a very strong and well designed unit. When stubbing one on to an older chassis it makes it a bit more difficult, but it is still doable. If you have never done a stubbed front, it is difficult but not at all impossible. Would be glad to help you out with what I know about doing them... As an alternate possiblity, have you considered just switching the entire Crown Vic frame over to the '78????? In the long run, it could be easier. The perimeter frame on the Vic lends itself well to shortening or stretching the rails as required.
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Don't really want to go the whole frame route as I still haul stuff with it from time to time and like to keep the leaf rear and such. My plan was to just hack it off and graft it onto the front of the truck frame as a complete subframe. When it warms up a bit I will have to go out and measure the rail widths on the truck and the vic and see how far they are from lining up. I know on the older 53-56 trucks the vics rails are 3 inches wider than the truck rails so you have to narrow the clip 3-4".
Posting Guru
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From: Madison, SD
Eric, I believe there is enough drop on the outside of th body to hide the frame rails. It would probably require some rebuilding of the floor, etc. but heck, if it was easy everyone would be doing it !!!!!!!! Just a thought, but the wider frame with appropriate stiffening would also seem to lend itself well to eliminating the front of the box, and building a '78 Unibody......................
