Interchangable front end?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2008
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Interchangable front end?
I recently picked up a 1980 Ford F250, it has the Dana60 front end and a sterling 10.25 rear end with 4.10 gears.. anyway.. the fenders, grill, and hood are in pretty rough shape.. talked to a few locals from where I live and found a complete 1990 Ford F150 front clip (hood, fenders, inners, bumper, hood, grill, and rad support) for $125 and considering there is absolutely no rust, dents, dings, anything and the paint/chrome is perfect.. will this bolt onto my truck with no problems or modifications?
I also got a new steering column from the same truck, non tilt, no cruise control or volume control on the steering wheel or anything like that.. will that bolt right in aswell?
Thanks.
I also got a new steering column from the same truck, non tilt, no cruise control or volume control on the steering wheel or anything like that.. will that bolt right in aswell?
Thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
It will bolt on. The holes are a little different on the front of the frame where the bumper bolts on, and the mounting of the lower rear fender is a little different, but can be made to work. Just make sure you bolt the whole clip on as a unit. If you mix and match radiator supports and stuff like that, it will not work. You may also need to do a little wiring to make the newer lights work with the older wires.
By the way, if you have a Dana 60 straight axle frontend, it's not original to the truck. It should have the 4wd twin I beam axle. Also, the older 250 trucks usually had a Dana rearend. Looks like someone has been swapping stuff already with a newer truck.
By the way, if you have a Dana 60 straight axle frontend, it's not original to the truck. It should have the 4wd twin I beam axle. Also, the older 250 trucks usually had a Dana rearend. Looks like someone has been swapping stuff already with a newer truck.
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Yes i no they do not come stock with the Dana 60 front end, it has been converted to the solid axle and has 10" leaf springs, skyjacker 5.5" drop pitman arm, skyjacker longer stainless steel braided brake lines front and rear, and tomorrow im picking up a rancho dual shock steering stabilizer for it.. maybe looking at getting a high steer kit/crossover kit for it aswell from sky-manufacturing.
im buying the front clip in the next day or so and its all apart.. the front clip is not one unit.. should i assemble it before putting it on?
im buying the front clip in the next day or so and its all apart.. the front clip is not one unit.. should i assemble it before putting it on?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
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From: Kuna ID
Look at the fender arch over the wheels, the 80-86 fenders are kind of tucked in while the 87-96 fenders are flared out. It's a purely cosmetic problem. If it bothers you too much, you can always swap a newer bed on later which bolts right on as well.
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From: Kuna ID
If you're taking the bed from the donor truck as well, you wont have anything to worry about. If it's a long bed you may only need 6 bolts to hold it on instead of the 8 your bed currently uses. I'm not sure when that changed but the '93 bed I installed only needed 6.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
If you're taking the bed from the donor truck as well, you wont have anything to worry about. If it's a long bed you may only need 6 bolts to hold it on instead of the 8 your bed currently uses. I'm not sure when that changed but the '93 bed I installed only needed 6.
you can always drill them can't you?
If you want?
