I just found this site and thought I`d put in my 2 cents. I have a `63 unibody long bed that I first put a Volare suspension in. I hated it. Since I blew up the 302, and my `75 LTD was a good runner ,I thought they should mate. I measured and found that I could put the truck body on the entire car frame.The main thing I had to do was to narrow the car frame rails in about 2 inches on each side.No biggie. So I took all the body bolts out,I thought, and used a backhoe to raise the body off. SNAP!!! I left 2 bolts in above the rear end behind the back seat. So I then proceeded to graft on the front clip. The only thing I wish I would have done was to weld the LTD frame back together and used the whole car frame. Where the the frame kicks up over the rear end would have fit inside the big wheel tubs that the truck came with. This thing rides better than a Plymouth ever could. I used all the mechanicals off the car except for the wiring and guages, which I bought from Summit Racing. I`ve got a 400,C-6,with Edelbrock intake and carb, along with a list of other neat after market stuff.The front is wider, but I got some offset wheels to take care of that. Now I want a new challenge. My truck is for sale to get an older Ford car. Maybe from around `50 to `64. This truck has been with me for 20 years and I`ll sure miss it. That`s what I said about my ex-wife too, but I got over that.lol So if anyone needs information on this swap or to buy mine, you can e-mail me at rleee57(No Email Addresses In Posts!) Sorry, I think I put in a dollars worth instead of 2 cents.

 

So let me get this strait, you put the LTD sub-frame onto the truck frame? Or the truck body on the LTD frame?

Nathan

 

I started out putting the truck body on the car frame. I broke the car frame in half, so I ended up grafting the LTD front suspension on to the truck frame.

 

I think ole Henry Ford would just stare with that puzzled look on his face!

 

I feel that it`s better than using a Chevy or Plymouth. The LTD only cost me $500.00, and I used everything I could use off the car, so if Henry wouldn`t like it, all I can say is you gotta do with what ya got. Don`t knock it if you haven`t tried it. Hell, I can`t get all this from Fatman Jack`s for the price I`ve got in it. Mustang 2? Not me.

 

Randy, I commend you for at least using the Ford front end.

 

Thank you, some people may not understand " limited budget" these days. I wasn`t trying to run down aftermarket suppliers, god knows we need them,but I was raised to do with what you have and I feel I succeeded by building this truck the way I did. It may not suit other people,but I sure do get alot of compliments on it. If I was out of line with my previous reply, I appologize,but I did it my way and I`m sticking to it. The truck sits low, rides like dream, and runs like a bat out of hell. This has made me wanting to not sell it now. Thanks guys
P.S. I`m getting a list together from a guy with everything from Model T`s to `66 Mustangs. They are going to waste on his farm and I`ll post it as soon as I can.

 

Sounds like a plan, when you get the list post it on General Conversation so no one will come down on you, about it not being about trucks. :-)

 

So far there are 2- Econoline pickups,3-`57 Fairlanes(2doors)and about 20 more cars and trucks. Prices coming soon. I`ll post them hopefully this week. I`m drooling already.

 

And where is this guys farm located??

Gene

 

North west Kentucky. Posting coming this week.

 

Sometimes I'm a little slow, but did I understand that your original intention was to use the entire LTD frame and put the truck body onto it? I think this is an interesting idea. I mean, I'm more into original stuff, but there are SOME things that catch my attention, and this is one of them. I may have to get out my tape measure and visit a few yards around here.........

 

The LTD I used was a 4 door. The wheel base was 1 inch shorter than the truck, but that wasn`t gonna be a problem. A 1/2 inch difference on each end would`nt be noticeable.

 

Ok, I see. I'm gonna give this one some consideration.

I meant to tell you earlier, I, too, appreciate the fact that you kept the truck ALL FORD. When I go to those shows, most of the time, when I see a bow-tie mill under the hood, I just keep on walkin.........

 

That sounds alot like what I would like to do. What year was the LTD? How well would the frame fit? Did it lower the truck when you were done? If so, how much? Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I have BIG plans to do something similar to a 64.