64 frame swap
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
The Good News IS:
It can be done, but it is not a bolt up deal on the earlier style, single I beam, trucks.
Having said that, difference essentially is cab mounting at the front mostly. Sometimes rear cab mounts hit right on and sometimes there is some alteration req'd there also. Nothing really big. Fresh Mount outriggers (brackets) are available at various sources.
The earlier style front cab mount "outriggers" must be fitted to later frames so it will accept & line up with earlier cab mount points & dimensions, even though the overall cab dimensions are virtually the same/ identical. early trucks 61-4 had the leaf spring suspension to deal with. 66-79 are coil spring twin I beams, but they have superior handling & braking IMHO, compared to single I beam design. (Again I stress, In My Humble Opinion).
I'd not hesitate to put a 61-63 Intergral Bed (Uni) on a 73-79 chassis at this point.
I had a 62 Integral Bed & I got rid of it before I realized I could make this match up with a minimum of work for a wealth of gains. . . .
Always learn a lot a little late, but it makes me better for it later so I s'pose it's a necessary trade off, huh?
Having said all this now, I'll add I have all the skills, knowledge and a rather large & comlete shop, with the tools, equipment etc. I even have a MIG Wire welder if I need one. But this upgrade project does not need a welder. It can all be done with AN or grade 8 Bolts & nuts, a Tri or a "T" Square, measuring tape and a good drill and hand tools, center punches. As well as some skills and an idea of where you're going & what you need to do to get there.
While I got your attention WELCOME To FTEs 61-6 forum. Glad to have you on board. . 
FBp
Having said that, difference essentially is cab mounting at the front mostly. Sometimes rear cab mounts hit right on and sometimes there is some alteration req'd there also. Nothing really big. Fresh Mount outriggers (brackets) are available at various sources.
The earlier style front cab mount "outriggers" must be fitted to later frames so it will accept & line up with earlier cab mount points & dimensions, even though the overall cab dimensions are virtually the same/ identical. early trucks 61-4 had the leaf spring suspension to deal with. 66-79 are coil spring twin I beams, but they have superior handling & braking IMHO, compared to single I beam design. (Again I stress, In My Humble Opinion).
I'd not hesitate to put a 61-63 Intergral Bed (Uni) on a 73-79 chassis at this point.
I had a 62 Integral Bed & I got rid of it before I realized I could make this match up with a minimum of work for a wealth of gains. . . .
Always learn a lot a little late, but it makes me better for it later so I s'pose it's a necessary trade off, huh?
Having said all this now, I'll add I have all the skills, knowledge and a rather large & comlete shop, with the tools, equipment etc. I even have a MIG Wire welder if I need one. But this upgrade project does not need a welder. It can all be done with AN or grade 8 Bolts & nuts, a Tri or a "T" Square, measuring tape and a good drill and hand tools, center punches. As well as some skills and an idea of where you're going & what you need to do to get there.
While I got your attention WELCOME To FTEs 61-6 forum. Glad to have you on board. . FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Sep 18, 2007 at 11:03 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
Is your current frame Broken?
If not there are many IFS options out there.
Keep your truck a Truck. Use a Dakota kit from www.industrialchassisinc.com
Garbz
If not there are many IFS options out there.
Keep your truck a Truck. Use a Dakota kit from www.industrialchassisinc.com
Garbz
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
