Chassis frame verses reg frame
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Chassis frame verses reg frame
Hi,new here but looking for some info. I have a 1988 F350 reg cab with a dump body with 4 wheel drive and a 8 ' bed on it. The frame is getting kind of rusty but the body is not. I have found a 1988 F350 crew cab dual rear wheel that is 2 wheel drive and would like to put the body on it.
My question is, is this doable ? Is the chassis cab alot stronger than the reg frame? I heard that the chassis frames are narrower on some years than the regular frames ? Also would I be able to transfer my 4 wheel drive stuff to the 2 wheel drive frame? Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. I am not new to fabricating stuff so that part is not a problem. I just am looking for some suggestions on the differences in the frames. Thanks,Jim.
My question is, is this doable ? Is the chassis cab alot stronger than the reg frame? I heard that the chassis frames are narrower on some years than the regular frames ? Also would I be able to transfer my 4 wheel drive stuff to the 2 wheel drive frame? Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. I am not new to fabricating stuff so that part is not a problem. I just am looking for some suggestions on the differences in the frames. Thanks,Jim.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz
Framing...the question
I am not sure about any differences in frame width for Ford trucks. Some of the older GM trucks utilized narrower frames in some applications. Chassis cabs were/are built for the upfitter market to mount utility, tow, box, ambulance, and other custom equipment on. They are sized by a measurement of the cab to axle distance. The wheelbases on these trucks are different from those on trucks with the standard 6.X or 8 ft beds. Your body and driveline components should fit, but you may need to fabricate a rear driveshaft section because of the wheelbase difference. Just take a little time with both trucks and a tape measure.
dn.
dn.
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From: Central PA
88-97 F350 dumps at work are all same. The F450 r heavier.
The 2 r same except 4x4 and 2x4 The only Differences is the extended wheel base or F450 . The difference frames was in late 70's .
The 2x4 frame will have independent suspension and coils up front the engine cross member is not like the F350 4x4 with leafs .If you found a Newer SD F450 truck it all ready has leafs.
With work any thing is possible. If you have time to do swap go for you may have to cut crossmember for clearance. Or look for a 4x4 frame and swap away . If you r in PA I know where 2 4x4 are sitting parked because of rust motor issue
The 2 r same except 4x4 and 2x4 The only Differences is the extended wheel base or F450 . The difference frames was in late 70's .
The 2x4 frame will have independent suspension and coils up front the engine cross member is not like the F350 4x4 with leafs .If you found a Newer SD F450 truck it all ready has leafs.
With work any thing is possible. If you have time to do swap go for you may have to cut crossmember for clearance. Or look for a 4x4 frame and swap away . If you r in PA I know where 2 4x4 are sitting parked because of rust motor issue
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Central PA
I should have thought of that. I do know the cab and chassis is little longer because I had a wrecker a put he pickup box on had small space . But he Cab mounts ETC are same. And a guy bought one for r old dump bed and put on f250 .
I'll look tomorrow and see we have 6 of them at work
I'll look tomorrow and see we have 6 of them at work
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frame
Yea,I am not to concerned with the length it is the width of the frame and whether or not the chassis frames are reinforced and stronger than the pickup truck frames. I know my dump truck has what looks to be steel plates that are rivited onto the frame just behind the cab to strengthen it. Thanks , Jim. Morgantown,Pa
More Turbo
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There is no reason to make them any different. It would cost Ford or for that matter any small size truck manufacture a bunch to change frame widths. The frames cross section would be different, ie thicker material for like F150 to a F450, they don't want to make different cab mount points or box mount points cost money. So of course they are all the same width.
