im looking into swapin my 1985 frame for a newer model truck frame 1999+ if workable dose any one no if the frams stayed the same are or very close


1985 f150 short bed step side

 

Not really sure where this should go. Kind of a weird question so I moved it to General Automotive Discussion.

-Matt

 

I believe that the 99 frame is wider than the 85, how much I'm not sure.

 

I have never done this but if my experience with a body shop last year is any indication, you are in for a lot of work. Also you read a lot on these kinds of forums about guys just wanting to do engine and tranny swaps and discovering there is a LOT of work entailed and often not worth the effort. You wnat to do a whole frame if I understand, whew.

Assuming that the frames are interchangeable, and I bet they aren't, you have to remove and replace everything unless you plan to just swap a body onto the frame.

Reason I say this...

I had a body on frame car that was damaged in a 4 car pile up. Damage did not look bad, but on closer inspection the adjuster noticed that the frame was buckled a bit over the rear wheel. To repair the car would require removing the frame and replacing it. The adjuster said the cost would be too high in labor. The repair estimate went from something like $5,000 to over $13,000. Almost all labor. I assume it was $13K since they settled for that plus some. It was a somewhat collectable car, Impala SS, but even so not worth the cost to repair. I don't think 85 Step sides are collectable, could be wrong.

To remove and replace the frame, the engine, tranny, suspension, drive line, exhaust front and rear pieces etc must all come off and be put on the new frame. Some of the electronics could be tricky to adapt between frame and body. That is a lot of work when you get down to it and really only worth it for a special vehicle.

Unless you do the work yourself and have lots of time, it is probably better to just get a newer vehicle.

The exception is, if you just want to swap the entire chassis and drive line and just put your old body on it then maybe the work is reasonable.

In my opinion , this has to be a serious hobby truck or you are spending money and time in weird ways.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson

 

He could have new technology and crap like that,With the look of old school.
And that last bit about wierd ways is funny,IMO.

 

It's not a bolt-on by any means, the frames have gotten wider. If you are just looking to do a body swap, you will need to fabricate cab/bed mounts, find a way to get the electronics to work with the older controls. The speedos dont use cables anymore. You could fab a way to use the newer dash and everything in the old body I suppose. I am sure the end result would be pretty cool, but unless you know a lot about fabricating and electricity, I would consider it to be more work than it is worth. I plan on swapping a 95 front clip on to my 85 F-250 pretty soon. It's a simple bolt on that just requires fabing up some bumper brackets. Thats about as far as I plan on getting with new technology on my old truck.