Body Swap
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Body Swap
I have a 77 F-150 4x4 with a 429. I would like to convert it to a 3/4 ton running gear. I have accsse to a 1986 F250 4x4. Does anyone know if the body will swap over. If not a direct bolt on, how hard is it to get the mounts where they need to be. I would like to just remove and swap bodies for sake of less work. But if it would be easier I can swap the axles just need to know where to start. The front of my truck is factory coil spring, solid axle while the other truck has ifs. Any info would be appritiated!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Anything is possible, if you want to put in the time. :-)
My uncle, cousin and I are die-hard into putting together vehicles that just don't belong the way they are. (an '86 Ranger with a 2.3 turbo/5 speed from an '83 T-bird, an old Dodge Ram 50 body placed onto an old Bronco frame, 302 powered, and most recently an 80's Ford F150 body/351W onto an International - yes, a rig - frame with a planetary rear end, dual transmissions, etc)
I'm not sure if it's a direct fit, but I'm more than sure that if you do some measuring, have a little welding experience, and a lot of creativity - it can be done.
My uncle, cousin and I are die-hard into putting together vehicles that just don't belong the way they are. (an '86 Ranger with a 2.3 turbo/5 speed from an '83 T-bird, an old Dodge Ram 50 body placed onto an old Bronco frame, 302 powered, and most recently an 80's Ford F150 body/351W onto an International - yes, a rig - frame with a planetary rear end, dual transmissions, etc)
I'm not sure if it's a direct fit, but I'm more than sure that if you do some measuring, have a little welding experience, and a lot of creativity - it can be done.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: denver
It is my understanding that it is not a direct bolt on. I do not have experiance with the swap, but rumor has it that the bed and cab will bolt on, but the radiator support is different. If I was in your shoes, I would consider bolting in the Dana 60 rear end, and converting the front axle to 8 lugs using parts from any dana 44 3/4 ton axle (a knuckle out swap from a dana 44 chevy truck would work too.) The front may even be able to be converted using some of the parts from the 80's F250.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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If you *really* wanna go 3/4 ton, and all you have is that '86 - it'll definitely be a lot easier to put the cab/bed from the '77 onto it rather than swapping out the running gear.
I don't know about it bolting right up (minus the radiator support), but if that's the case...it'll be simple to get those front mounts in place once you have the cab/bed swapped over.
I don't know about it bolting right up (minus the radiator support), but if that's the case...it'll be simple to get those front mounts in place once you have the cab/bed swapped over.
