frame swap
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frame swap
my WIFE has decided that she wants to convert our 66 swb 2wd stepside into a 4wd monster. not my idea but, is there any newer frames that would be capab le of housing this body and bed without much mods. I hate to go through stiffening up and rewelding new mounts for suspension on the old one if i can get away with a swap. any thoughts would be appreciated!!
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From: East Central Florida
1st Off rowdy, Welcome to FTE! as John, our Moderator likes to say the Nations Ford Truck Stop 
As a generality, if you want a 4X4 start with a 4X4 and if you want a 4X2 start with a 2Wd, your life will remain a lot easier. As you probably already know anything is usually possible if you throw enough $$$$$ effort,time, & thought into it, but is it worth it?
There are some intrinsinc differences, enough to make it NOT a bolt up conversion deal. I have a 4X2 on a 79 4X2 frame and that was easy, but I would start with a 4X4 if that's what I wanted to end up with.
Having laid my opinion on ya, if I absolutely had to marry a 66 4X2 & a 4X4 I'd probably select a mid 70s, non High Boy, coil sprung version chassis, and get my 66 body to somehow fit & work on that set up.
Just my $.02 on this question, and again, Welcom to our happy hang out.
FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Oct 29, 2006 at 09:39 PM.
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I am going to try to talk her out of it but she gets an idea and well the rest is history. She was given the truck by her grandmother who bought it new,yea I know what does a grandma need with a 352 in a short box but hey, more POWER to her. a little rust in the usual areas but the cab is in good shape.I will keep everyone posted as to what is going on!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
roudy As Pete has already done Welcome to FTE and the 61-66 forum.
The reason grandma bought it with a 352 is that was the only V8 offered that year. 76 was the last year that the FE engine was offered, so if you were looking for one with a bad engine (cheeper) yours would be a direct bolt up. The big Bronco might be a choice for a donor too. Your cab/front clip is a direct hole for hole bolt on both chassis through 79.
If you don't have at least 2 years to put to this project and a place to store extra big parts like rolling chassis, then don't start it. You don't need your neighbors mad at you. Thinking that you can get it done in a few weekends could cause a breakup, don't do it because it aint gonna happen.
Good luck on the project and plan plan plan before you start. Don't kill grandmas truck, and find it still unfinished 10 years from now. I have a project that has been under way and not touched for a while now.
John
The reason grandma bought it with a 352 is that was the only V8 offered that year. 76 was the last year that the FE engine was offered, so if you were looking for one with a bad engine (cheeper) yours would be a direct bolt up. The big Bronco might be a choice for a donor too. Your cab/front clip is a direct hole for hole bolt on both chassis through 79.
If you don't have at least 2 years to put to this project and a place to store extra big parts like rolling chassis, then don't start it. You don't need your neighbors mad at you. Thinking that you can get it done in a few weekends could cause a breakup, don't do it because it aint gonna happen.
Good luck on the project and plan plan plan before you start. Don't kill grandmas truck, and find it still unfinished 10 years from now. I have a project that has been under way and not touched for a while now.
John
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I am attempting the same project with my 64' I have a 79' bronco that im gonna try and bolt my 64' too. Ive got the cab off the bronc and im prepin the frame and motor I plan to drop my 64 body onto the frame in about a week or so. I try to let you know how it all comes together. I do know that both frames are the exact same length and width but im not 100% pure about the body mounts ill keep you informed.
Daniel
Daniel
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From: East Central Florida
The body mount break takes place with the 65 production, except on 4X4 trucks. but that does not mean all 4X4 Trucks are the same either. If it came with leaf front springs and another came with coils & radius arms they have different mount set ups.
The 1956 thru 1964 frames are basically the same and the 1965 thru 1979 frames are basically the same, wheel base for wheel base & model for model. BUT this does NOT Apply to 4X4s, it only applies to 4X2 aka 2Wd trucks.
Having said that for the umteenth time with enough time, effort & $$$$$ it is possibe to almost work mechanical miracales, Like bolting an old style 2Wd on the later 4X4 Chassis, or a later style 2Wd chassis under an early (56-64) truck. It's LOTS OF WORK and a lot of fabrication when there are easier ways to get the same result. . . but it's y'alls choice to make & to do
So have a BLAST Boyz
FBp
The 1956 thru 1964 frames are basically the same and the 1965 thru 1979 frames are basically the same, wheel base for wheel base & model for model. BUT this does NOT Apply to 4X4s, it only applies to 4X2 aka 2Wd trucks.
Having said that for the umteenth time with enough time, effort & $$$$$ it is possibe to almost work mechanical miracales, Like bolting an old style 2Wd on the later 4X4 Chassis, or a later style 2Wd chassis under an early (56-64) truck. It's LOTS OF WORK and a lot of fabrication when there are easier ways to get the same result. . . but it's y'alls choice to make & to do
So have a BLAST Boyz
FBp
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Yeah i agree like why bother with all that time and money and try to convert when you can just go a buy a 4x4 and there yeah go it would save a lot but thats just my opinion do what you like
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