hello new on this forum. i have a 62 ford f-100 unibody.
ive been reading along with the chassis swaps.but can anyone
help me with which chassis swap would be the best for my ford.
really want to go for the best fit without many mods.
over the years truck been in garage time to fix it. thanks for
any help. and also what would be the best mod for wire system.

 

Why do you want to swap the chassis? What are you trying to accomplish?

 

well trucks been in garage due to brakes locking up.
been wanting to have front disc. and well hopefully better
suspension.

 

No real need to swap the frame. (Not an easy task as the 64 and earlier bodies have to have considerable modifying to fit on a later model frame)Disk brake kits are available. CPP (Classic Performance Parts) has them as well as some others. I just bought a complete kit from CPP on E-bay for $359 (w/free shipping). If you don't like the straight axle (many think they work just fine) then you can install a Independent Front Suspension kit (including power R&P steering) such as the Dakota-based one from Industrial Chassis in Phoenix (about $2300 complete ready to weld in, or buy the crossmember for $695 +/- and pick up the parts from your local yard. Several folks make a kit based on the Mustang II (but heavier) but the IC kit is from a truck for a truck and most are using that. Just my 2 cents.

 

just asking what is the point of a chassis swap?
another thing is my dad purchased the truck the motor was already in the truck. but they welded engine mounts and the motor is not sitting properly.
another thing was when shifting gear from park to drive or reverse there
was this like body roll, felt like the rear end was falling off. has other welding on frame that dont look pretty. thats the main reason wanting to swap chassis. feels like they did more damage welding stuff to the frame.

 

Oh I see. I gave you too much information, didn't I? You're just looking into the possibility of replacing it with a better uni chassis rather than a different chassis. That's not that difficult (???), but you have to take extra care with the Uni body as it has to be picked up in one piece rather two pieces like the regular cab/bed setup. Probably not that difficult to find a bare frame or a rolling frame and refurbish it before you install it. Post an ad under "Wanted Parts" and someone more than likely has a frame for you. Be sure to post where you live, makes it easier to hook up with another member.

 

Welcome to FTE

Uni-Body's = 1961/63 F100/250 2WD Styleside pickups. F100's came with long and short beds.

The F250 frame is not the same as an F100. The F100 shortbed frame is not the same as a longbed.

Before you do anything....the FTE member to contact...IMO...that really knows the score, is Garbz2

Not only does he own a Uni, but he's a professional metal fabricator by trade.

He knows all about frame swaps, disc brakes, P/S and other mods.

 

i would like to replace my chassis but would it benefit me more to get one of a newer truck
and what newer trucks chassis would best fit my unibody. i am wanting to have disc. brakes in the front but would rather stick to all ford parts than change over to gm brakes
and different hard ware kits. ive been looking around for trucks found few trucks complete for under $500. but dont want to purchase the wrong year of truck. thats my main concern what year truck or car to purchase to use for the swap.

 

thanks for the help. im glad i found this website

 

oh sorry my truck is a 62 f-100 unibody short bed.
thanks agian i wrote that i guess while you posted
ive IMO garbz2. thanks again. also im planning on installing new wiring on the
truck what best kit would work for my truck. (lights, engine,etc.)

 

These are the exact reasons why you need to contact Dave (Garbz2) before doing a thing.

Dave has more experience with these Uni's than anyone else here on FTE..prolly anywhere else on the planet.

Look for his posts in the 1961/66 & 1967/72 forums.

btw: You have one hour to edit your posts, so you don't have to type new posts to add info.

 

Sorry Guys i have not been on in the last few days. I will answer the PM.

I am not a proponent of frame swaps. I know some here do it and advocate it.

However the legal ramifications of advising and doing that type of swap do have consequences. Namely what happens in the case of an accident and your insurance company refuses to honor the claim due to the vehicle that was in the accident is not the vehicle they are insuring. It is happening and has happened. Insurance,Big brother and the states do not recognize any VIN but the one stamped in the frame rails or body structure of the vehicle.

A uni can be made to handle well with basic upgrades to the suspension and brakes. It all depends on what you want to do with the truck.

A. Do want to spank vettes?
B. Do you want a nice cruizer?
C. Do you want to go real fast 1/4 at a time?

All have different build tactics.

There are no direct swaps to a later frame for a uni. All are a major project as grits points out as the body needs to be lifted in one piece to do it. Floor mods may be required along with new frame mounts to pick up the cab.

For brakes there are may kits out there of high quality to add disc brakes. Forget the keep it ford only as the hokey ford mounting of calipers precludes the after market making brakets. And besides the same factory making Gm calipers is the same one making them for ford there all jobbered out to subcontractors to engineering specs. ford really does not care if you use ford parts in your 45 year old truck. All they are interested in is selling you a new vehicle.

For electrical kits. Haywire makes a really good medium priced kit with comprehensive directions. No kits are made to direct fit, all are a universal type and you need a modicum of skill to install them.

Garbz

 

Sorry to jump in to this thread but I think I am in the same position as need2fix, recently I got a '62 short bed unibody, VIN is F10CD310xxx so it is supposed to be a V8 but has a 6 cylinder in it with a four speed plus rev. trans. The body is badly rusted at the junction of the bed and cab which I am having fixed now.
I am a Ford enthusiast and this is my first old truck, what I would like is to have a nice, safe, reliable driver (cruiser), I don't mind having a six cylinder but I would like an automatic, disk brakes and a good suspension, definitely not for racing.
I have read about converting to double beam, but also that you can have a good ride with straight beam.
I will appreciate your comments.
FR