frame swap
frame swap
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
It is possible, but so are a lot of bad things with enough good time money & resources wasted on them.
It definitely is not a bolt up deal. IMHO 80 to 85, or 86 to 96 frames, leave a lot to be desired and left a lot on their drawing boards. Especially if one stops to consider the upgrade you propose is not as good or easy as a 73-79 frame which is virtually a drop on/ bolt up swap In Most Cases & is a superior frame compared to what you are asking about. Seems FoMoCo went cheaper & easier for their manufacturing than better, or stronger or more advanced 80 & up.
My first thought on your 80-96 frame question is WHY would anybody want to do a retrograde custom Fit-Up?
To summarize on your swap question, It's more trouble than it's worth IMHO.
FBp
It definitely is not a bolt up deal. IMHO 80 to 85, or 86 to 96 frames, leave a lot to be desired and left a lot on their drawing boards. Especially if one stops to consider the upgrade you propose is not as good or easy as a 73-79 frame which is virtually a drop on/ bolt up swap In Most Cases & is a superior frame compared to what you are asking about. Seems FoMoCo went cheaper & easier for their manufacturing than better, or stronger or more advanced 80 & up.
My first thought on your 80-96 frame question is WHY would anybody want to do a retrograde custom Fit-Up?
To summarize on your swap question, It's more trouble than it's worth IMHO.
FBp
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Marquette Mi.
frame swap
May I put a different spin on this ? My 72 Crew cab is due for a complete refit ( doors , fenders , grille , floor pans , cab corners , motor ) I did say complete , didn't I ?! I just got home with my veggie oil motor project neatly tucked inside a haggered 93 F250 extended cab 4X4 pre powerstroke . I have 4 kids which makes the cab severely undersized . We typically drive 75 miles to camp one way and tempers get tested frequently ! One of my donor vehicles is a 79 crew cab that has laquished since I acquired the 72 and its cab and front clip would seem to be the most cost effective fix for the sweet running rust bucket I just brought home . I would install a flat bed or farm body on the back so wheelbase isn't an issue . I'd appreciate some input from some of you savvy body swappers .
Tom
Tom
Last edited by repower; Aug 12, 2007 at 04:54 PM. Reason: content
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I Tom, I checked your ID and it appears to me that you might live in Rust Belt country. I can imagine that you may not have much money in any of those trucks and that is appealing to you.
I would like to suggest that you look for the series truck that you like best from a non-rust belt area. Our bodies get rust here in NC, but not the frame rails. I remember seeing a frame rail in upstate NY that had a place that you could shove a softball through, and suspect you have seen those too.
I say that to maybe encourage you to find a truck that doesn't require all of your time trying to get it road worthy. Sounds to me that a van might be a better choice since you aren't very concerned about a bed.
John
I would like to suggest that you look for the series truck that you like best from a non-rust belt area. Our bodies get rust here in NC, but not the frame rails. I remember seeing a frame rail in upstate NY that had a place that you could shove a softball through, and suspect you have seen those too.
I say that to maybe encourage you to find a truck that doesn't require all of your time trying to get it road worthy. Sounds to me that a van might be a better choice since you aren't very concerned about a bed.
John
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Marquette Mi.
I certainly am in the rust belt , on the south shore of Lake Superior with lots of snow and salt from November till May ! It's funny that you mentioned the van since I've had a 79 Club Wagon parked for about 2 years with a blown motor and had originally considered it as a home for the motor but wanted to put a C6 behind the diesel . My thought is now to use the EOD40 with transfer case and work on a garage owner that has the 4wd front end in a junk ambulance out back to let me haul it away . Even if I didn't convert it would be a fairly straightforward swap .Thanks for the input
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Marquette Mi.
I certainly am in the rust belt , on the south shore of Lake Superior with lots of snow and salt from November till May ! It's funny that you mentioned the van since I've had a 79 Club Wagon parked for about 2 years with a blown motor and had originally considered it as a home for the motor but wanted to put a C6 behind the diesel . My thought is now to use the EOD40 with transfer case and work on a garage owner that has the 4wd front end in a junk ambulance out back to let me haul it away . Even if I didn't convert it would be a fairly straightforward swap .Thanks for the input
Tom
Tom
