Hello everyone I'm new to this forum, I've always wanted a unibody and just found a deal I couldn't refuse ($50, complete truck, not running), so now I have one and the journey begins!!
My plans are to restore it and I want to do it with a better front end. I have several other old trucks (65, 68, 75, 79) I could use for a frame swap, but I also have a line on wrecked Mustang II with a 302/auto.
Would it be easier to clip the front end and use the Mustang suspension and powertrain, or go about doing a frame swap and using the trucks powertrain? Does a full frame swap offer any advantages? I'm not planning on building a super dragster, just a nice daily driver that has some get up and go.
Right now I'm leaning towards the Mustang II front clip, but I'd like to here from people that have done it.
Thanks in advance.

 

I have seen a Mustang clip on a '46 Chev, they don't look too substantial. Little dinky springs. No good for Saskabush roads.

I personally own a shortbox Uni with a Volare clip, which I also would not recommend, as even with a swaybar it's too soft/mushy.

my '64 Merc has an Aerostar front clip, which is gonna ride solid I think, but I have never had it on the road yet.

If your truck is a shortbox, you can swap the frame out for a Crown Vic, either the current body style or the one before it. They have the same wheelbase as a shorty. Ride real nice and very low.

Ford truck frame swaps also work, but require quite a bit of relocating body mounts. Double check your wheelbases.

Swapping in an engine into your current frame requires a transdapt kit for motor mounts, and cutting out of the cross member that has the transmission mounts on it in your current truck. Don't cut it all out as you need the part that hold the parking brake cable.

That enough for now? and welcome to the club.

RF

 

Hi,I have a 61 F250 with a 429 c6 swap that was badly done,I bought it and it's set in my side yard ever since.I'm wondering the same thing.I have a 85 F150 complete. that I was planning to use the frame and running gear of for the unibody.But not sure if it will work.I'll be glad to let you know how it measures up.I don't want to cut the unibody if I don't have to.I read in a mag article, that if you were going to put any large amount of power to it that it would take a lot of frame beefing up. For a daily driver with a small motor I think you would be OK, just to add a disc brake to your straight axel front end.I was checking them out this morning.Go to (www.mpbrbrakes.com )they have every thing you need to put the stopping power into your truck without breaking the bank. a 300cu in Six weighs less than a small block V8.and will surprise you, with what they will put out with a cam ,carb and headers plus with gas prices the way they are, and I think are going to stay,might be the way to go.I was thinking of putting a 460 with C6 in mine,with a franklin quick change rear end that I picked up years ago.I was thinking I could play with the gear ratios for the street,and then change for mileage when I went on a trip.Haven't made up my mind yet,those straight cut gears really howl and don't know how it would be on a long trip.

 

I seen one at a car show last year and the guy had an aerostar front clip in it. He was very pleased with it and he had a 429 Cobra Jet in it.
I was leaning towards the Mustang II simply because the engine mounts and everything would already be done since I would be using the 302 in it. It seemed like the easiest way to go.

 

I wouldn't think the Mustang II would work as a "clip". The front suspension is removable to add to another frame but the whole front of the mustang is still a unibody. Not half of a framed car.

I'd use the components or go a different route.
Dan

 

Just a thought, but why not do a front clip from one of those other trucks you have?
As there were no twin Ibeam unibodies, so it might stump a few people. Plus the Twin Ibeam setup is a true truck suspension, so it will hold up longer and better.

A unibody frame is a diffrent beast from the other trucks, built to keep the unibody from flexing and buckling, so a straight frame swap would be problematic

 

I'm going with a Fatman set-up.

 

The frame is the same as any other ford truck 61-64
the reinforcement is in a torque-box between the cab and the box, integrated into the body.

 

I've had several Unibody's and Twin I-beam trucks. The single I-beam is a better suspension. No wierd geometry changes, no scrubbed tires. A dropped axle would lower it nicely, but Sask. roads don't encourage lowriders.The MII suspension is too light for a truck. The Volare would work if you really want to go independent.

 

You're right. I should have been more clear. the "other trucks" I mentioned are the 65, 68, 75, and 79 trucks he mentioned he had available to do frame swaps with. Moving just the front clip over to his frame would mean fewer parts to move or modify than a full frame swap with a post 65 frame