hi everyone, im still trying to decide what avenue to take on the front suspension on my 63. have read alot about front clips, crossmembers, dropped axles and such and was wondering why you couldnt use and front clip from another f-100 like a 75 model or something? seems this would be the most useful and just as easy as a crown/ltd clip. is the track to wide on the newer 70's trucks? just wondering i know there must be something or it would be popular i would think........thanks everyone

 

If you are kicking that dog, why not move your body to any preferred newer chassis. You can go up into the 90s with EFI. just a thought



John

 

well ya know if the measurments and everything work out your right jowilker. ill have to look into this more to see if its feasible at all.if anybody else has any info on this please let me know. still seems if this were an easy(reasonably) swap we would see more of it. and i havent heard a thing of anyone doing this at least on a 2wd....thanks

 

Most people would move the body onto the later donor chassis. It is ALOT less work. I mean I've seen it done both ways and the later front end into the early frame takes alot of welding. The body swap uses a sharp drill bit.

 

From what ive been able to find out so far it appears the 73 up wheelbase is 117" and of course my 63 is 114" im assuming i would need to just relocate the rear leaf springs forward 3" ? seems like this wouldnt be too hard to pull off. But what about the track width anyone have any measurments on this? only possible downside to this idea seems to be finding a short wheelbase donor truck.Most around my area you seem to find are long beds. could be interesting.....

 

ok, it appears to me that the wheelbase on 70's trucks is about 3" too long and i think the track width is too wide as well. but that got me to thinking about other donors . my 63 stepside has a 114" wheelbase and from what ive gathered a 60" track. i have discovered that long bed standard cab rangers up to 1997 have a 113.9" wheelbase and a trackwidth of 58.6" in the front. this seems to me to be a right on match for the 63 and reg cab long bed rangers are really easy to find here cheap. what does everyone think of this??? seems like this would be my best bet as far as a body swap. any suspension concerns? i had a 302 ranger at one time and with v6 extended cab front springs it drove like a mustang(imho) you guys think if i went heavy on the springs it would support the cab and engine weight of the 63? thanks fellas you've been tons of help.......

 

I am not certain that the mentioned chassis is too wide as long as you use wheels with proper back set. A Ranger chassis might be a good choice. I think the body is all that you will be hauling anyways.

You have much better choices in the 90s and 2000s. Brake and engine choices are vast.


Take it slow and easy, you have years of enjoyment ahead of you.



John

 

thanks jo, i never could get anyone to tell me what the track is on the 70's f-100 and believe it or not dont know anyone who has one lol. dimensions seem to work on the ranger chassis but there are other things like frame rise at the axles and stuff like that. but it sounds promising. your right wouldnt be using the ford for hauling anything after the swap just for cruising. ranger wheelbase gets longer in 98 so maybe they wouldnt work. but yeah thanks for the comments and help. this is gonna be a super slowwww project lol.....

 

Bro, I have got this thang for that question. Take a ride over to Lowes or HomeDepot, they carry a 25ft. 1" wide Stanley tape measure for less than $10.00. When you own one of them you can start taking your own measurements. That way you don't have to worry about someone lying to you are not getting back to you.



John

 

wow jo, im gonna assume you either got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning or ive broken some sort of secret question posting rule here? i mean if ive said something or asked too many questions maybe? just say so man. i happen to have many tape measures and believe it or not i can read them too. as far as i know i havent offended anyone here but i tell ya what some of the people here could use a vacation or something. sorry i bothered you all......ill go back to reading instead of asking

 

No my brother, you read it differently than I wrote it. I am old school and was only encouraging you to arm yourself. Don't go hunting bear with a pocket knife or a .22.

When you have your own tape measure you can get your own information like how wide is the track of a pickup or what is the actual dimensions of your bed when you are thinking bed liner. When you measure it yourself you have knowledge not speculation or a bad answer.


John

 

In that case Jo i did read it wrong and misunderstood. i apoligize and i hope i didnt offend you.....63