planing a 4x4 project
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planing a 4x4 project
well back in the day my dad had a late 70's f350 pickup that he shortened the frame 18 inches. so he had a lifted standard cab short box 1-ton truck with a 460. well he sold it when i was born and i we recently decided we would build another one.
this new one i would like it to be the seventh gen (80-86) just because i like the body style and they are easy to find.
my overall goal: one ton standard cab short box with lots of power. also want a 6-8" lift.
as far as i could find is that they don't make that body style with a 1 ton truck. i am leaning towards the diesel rather than the 460. what would be the best approach to this build (starting with what truck(s) maybe engine swap...)
this new one i would like it to be the seventh gen (80-86) just because i like the body style and they are easy to find.
my overall goal: one ton standard cab short box with lots of power. also want a 6-8" lift.
as far as i could find is that they don't make that body style with a 1 ton truck. i am leaning towards the diesel rather than the 460. what would be the best approach to this build (starting with what truck(s) maybe engine swap...)
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You have two choices as far as the frame modifications;
1. Get a f250 or f350 frame and shorten the rear like you did before. The front of the frame on these trucks is different to accept the leaf springs.
2. Get a short f150 frame, and fabricate mounting brackets on the frame for the leaf spring mounts.
A lot of what's going to be required will be determined by what type of truck you can find and buy. I believe the easiest with the least amount of work would be a 85.5-86 f350 diesel. It will have the correct engine, a straight front axle(dana 60) and you will have to shorten the frame and buy a short box. The straight axle dana 60 is easier to lift with lift springs.
If you are not concerned about a dana 60 front axle, you could get a f250 from 83-86 or a f350 from 83-85 which would have the dana 50 twin I beam axle, with a diesel, and shorten the frame on it. The twin I beam axle can be lifted, but you have to buy a kit with the brackets.
You are going to want to put a turbo kit on the diesel if you want lots of power. ATS, Banks, and Hypermax still make kits.
1. Get a f250 or f350 frame and shorten the rear like you did before. The front of the frame on these trucks is different to accept the leaf springs.
2. Get a short f150 frame, and fabricate mounting brackets on the frame for the leaf spring mounts.
A lot of what's going to be required will be determined by what type of truck you can find and buy. I believe the easiest with the least amount of work would be a 85.5-86 f350 diesel. It will have the correct engine, a straight front axle(dana 60) and you will have to shorten the frame and buy a short box. The straight axle dana 60 is easier to lift with lift springs.
If you are not concerned about a dana 60 front axle, you could get a f250 from 83-86 or a f350 from 83-85 which would have the dana 50 twin I beam axle, with a diesel, and shorten the frame on it. The twin I beam axle can be lifted, but you have to buy a kit with the brackets.
You are going to want to put a turbo kit on the diesel if you want lots of power. ATS, Banks, and Hypermax still make kits.
