Hello gang, as in the title I will be on a new project this year, I have a 64 step side and the frame of a 78 custom that I wish to marry. the frame will get a 460 carbed power plant the plant will need to be hot but still street able, this to mate with a c-6 shift kit and trans brake with new converter out back the axles shortened with around 4.44 gear, The bed will have to be tubed. This is just my beginning thoughts I would like input from the forum on this project some who may have done this or seen it done, to warn me of any pit falls, that may arise. thanks JNT

 

Just to warn you someone is about to come in and scold you for saying step side. Ford calls it a flareside or something like that.

Can you tell us if this is a long bed or short bed? A 64 Cab will not mount to a 78 frame wihtout a bunch of extra work. Anything is possible, but a 65-79 will interchange. 64 is the red headed step child.

 

Neither will a 61 through 63 cab. 64s only differ from 61/63 in the raised roof and door hinge pockets.

You will also have wheel base issues and will need to shorten the frame. the rear suspension on a short bed 78 frame is really limited as to foreword movement to adjust the wheelbase as the frame widens just aft of the rear cab mounts. on a long bed you have better adjustment.

If you are going Pro Street forget the later frame as it is a heck of a lot wider and will not allow the big Mickey Stickeys to fit (31x21.5x15s). You will need to narrow the frame with a back half or inset of the frame. Just not worth the effort as it will add much more work than necessary.

I would look in to keeping your narrow frame 34" front to back and adding a good custom front suspension not of the MII variety. I recommend one of Industrial Chassis based Dakota cross members.

I gather from your post that you want to drag race this, there is nothing wrong with the straight axle that is all ready in there. Think XL clone with a modern twist. It can be made to work with new components and a real good shock package/sway bar.

Flair Side is fords nomenclature for a fender outside box type bed.

Garbz

 

Ok the start is just great, yes it is a long wheel base truck, I have thought of keeping the original frame and boxing it for the extra beaf. drag car is the way I wish to go but I want to drive to the strip. THE (FLAIR SIDE) will need to be some what legal, we can stay with the straight axel if we are going to keep the original frame! So next look is going to have to be the rear suspension. thank you for the reply its a good start. JNT

 

I think the Ford 9" rear end you should have in there is already a great, bulletproof setup to start with.

Good luck with the project. And please, keep us updated with pics!

--Matt

 

just-n-time


I have kept up with your last build-up and it sure turned out NICE! On this 64 you will have
to choose to go 4/Link, ladder bars and coilovers, leaves under the frame leaves inside/
inboard, or back half ! When a truck is back halfed, the truck is ( Cut in half ) and in most
cases these trucks are running wide tires that would fit in the wheel wells without cutting it
in half ! Please take the time to take a look at my artical here on (FTE)! I have a real easy
and Safe way of Pro-Streeting our trucks with out cutting them in half ! Research before
you start.

Good luck with your new project !


Wally Womack

 

Hi Wally I looked over your pro street or most of it I like what I see, though I was leaning to-wards to things on my next build, one was to do along reach system off the dif. this to help with front end rise, build a latter and pull it as far forward as possible to help the traction and hold down the front end.also to use a bell crank to fine tune the pull if it strays left or right. I have no idea if my theory will work but I thought it may work. JNT

 

just-n-time



I am glad you have a plan, things seem to go a lot better that way. Please keep us up on
your 64 build ! The pics of your 78 are very cool.

Have fun!



Wally Womack

 

77 with 78 grill. I know but Clifton wants that look. JNT

 

hey guys been gone a while but im back

walley its not that big of a deal to marry a 64 body on a 78 frame i did mine with no problem i had to shorten my frame 78 was along bed 64 truck was a short bed you may not need to do this if both are long beds the radiator core support will fit no problem use 64 mounting bushings and hardware cut cab mounts of the 64 frame measure from core support holes to locate mounting location for frontcab mount brakets they will have to stick up abuot 1 1/2 inches above frame i used suare tubing to make spacers for top of frame then locate rear cab mounts ect . the bed will mount you will have to redrill mounting holes 78 has a widrer frame i used tilt steering column from the 78 you will have to make brackets to mount it to dash but its not that hard i have pictures in my gallery of mine on frame before i pulled it back down to cln and paint frame. if you have any questios let me know.also i put the rearend out of the 64 back under mine it was about 2 inches narrower.

 

Thank you Paul for your input I will look both over very carefully though I will be going with the one that will cause me the least work for the traction and alignment problems. by the by not a bad looking donor! JNT