Is there a late model chassis that a 59 F-100 body would bolt onto fairly easily to gain modern suspension, steering , brakes etc.?
Has anyone done this? What models and years would be a decent fit? I'm sure nothing is a drop in fit.Thanks

 

Hi '58, I don't know what year might fit, but I'm sure you can do it, with a litle effort. After I rolled over my '71 4wd F100, I puchased a '69 250 two wheeler that had a dead engine. Many people told me the body swap couldn't be done. I measured the width of the frames and couldn't think of why it wouldn't work. I managed to get them swapped, it took me about two weeks to do it. All of the body mounts were in the same place. If you use a frame the same width as you have now, maybe you'll need to drill some new holes for mounts. If you use a frame that is a different width, how about useing some square steel tubing to space the mount holes in or out as needed and get some body lift at the same time. What do you think? DF

 

I'm sure it can be done. I was hoping for some feedback from people who had done it with this era truck and what problems to watch out for. If I pick the right year and model chassis before I go to the junkyard I am sure I'll end up with a lot fewer headaches lining things up! Thanks for you input!

 

Yes they are virtually the same. We put a '61 style side onto a '65 chassis. This model had the coiled springs instead of the leaves.

The only difference was the cab mounts - may have to be moved backwards. The wheel bases are 110 - as you go along you will see how easy it is. But, your steering sector shaft on the '57 comes out of the side of the chassis - the more modern twin beam set up had the sector shaft vertical so you will have to get the steering box for the chassis.

Hope this helps.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 27-Sep-00 AT 07:13 AM (EST)[/font][p]How about fitting a 59 Styleside body on a really late model chassis like mid 80's or 90's F-150?

 

I purchased a 1950 F-47 project truck some years back. This was my "practice" street rod, and it is nearing completion. I tried a 1975 F-100 frame originally, and had to remove something like 39" from the length of the frame to have the body mount up. It worked great, except the steering box was too far back and it sat so far up in the air, my wife would have needed a ladder to step onto the running-boards.

I later found a 1983 Ranger in a friends wrecking yard. I took it home, and it was the right length, 1" narrower than the 1950, and a perfect height! I mounted up a 302 (there are books available as to how to do this right) and made a new crossmember for the tranny to sit on. I am using a tank from a Bronco II (or a Ranger diesel) that mounts at the back of the frame rather than the side as in the Ranger. The steering box is forward of the cab, so the column matched up without too much trouble.

My only disappointment was I had to go back to manifolds, as the 302 headers simply would not fit in the Ranger frame.

Email me at <copeina(No Email Addresses In Posts!)> if anyone would like more info. I am in Canada, and would very much like to make some Canadian contacts if there are any out there. (The exchange rate is killing me when I have to order part...)

 

At least you don't have to import to Corta Rica, Central America. The exchange rate here is 314 colones to $1.

chris