Body swap

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Feb 18, 2008 | 08:29 AM

jiggiwdit

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Body swap

I have an 86 6.9 4x4 reg cab. I have the truck running and driving like new. Its time to address the body.

Nothing on the truck really is salvagable.

Ive been looking around for good clean truck to buy to swap the body. What would be my options for the easiest swap? I know 350 and 250 are the same is 150 the same also?

I believe 80 to 86 are a direct swap. How bad is it for other years? Any help would be appreciated.
Lee

Feb 18, 2008 | 12:30 PM

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

80-86 would be a direct swap across 150-250-350, later ones will also swap, but some changes were made in 87 for the interior dash mounts and fender mounts. F150s also do not usually have the removable transmission tunnel, but that can be hacked if you feel you need it. If you can cut, wield, and prime steel, you can make anything from a 1980 to 1996 fit.

If you wanted, its even possible to take the complete body from a 1996, box to front clip and bolt that on too. The frame remained almost unchanged from 1980 to 1996.

1996 doors are a different from 1980, and have an extra line at the bottom that may not look right (but will still fit), but you can get aftermarket doors for the 1980 model year if you get a 1980 moodel cab (or the 96).

Feb 18, 2008 | 02:52 PM

LilDuke

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I've never owned an F series that didn't have a removable cover. Was this done for two weeks at the begining of the '87 year?

Note: No, I am not trying to stir things up. But I've owned over a dozen 80-96's and have scavenged/worked on dozens more.

Feb 18, 2008 | 03:03 PM

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilDuke

Nothing stirred here, My 1986 F150s has an april built date, factory AOD transmission, and has no floor hatch. I have no idea if there is a general rule to follow, as to which ones have it and which ones don't. My feeling was that the F150s are more likely to have the integral floor, but I'm sure there are exceptions.

Feb 18, 2008 | 03:32 PM

LilDuke

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I know both my 87 bronco (aod 4x4) and 88 F-150 (aod 4x2) had both tunnel, and in the case of 88 4x4 cover. And the 88 was optionless. Just a 302 and auto. am radio...(now for NPR news...)

The only 86 I had, had a C6 4x4.

I just wonder if this was a trial "money saver" that didn't save money.

Feb 18, 2008 | 05:12 PM

David85

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

I don't know what the logic was, but it goes back to at least the 1967-1973 era trucks.

Feb 18, 2008 | 05:36 PM

RCrawler

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From: Southern Oregon USA

May have something to do with auto/ manual floor shift applications. My 79 auto has a solid floor, where my 77 4 speed truck has the removeable floor hump.

Jason