I have a 64 SWB F100, 292 newly built. 3 spd trans, 3.73(approx.) rear grs. good solid truck for all practical use. I also have a 77 Nomad travel trailer,approx 7500 lbs. dry. My delema is if it will reliably and safely tow this rig in arkansas, no major mountans (like outher states) but some pretty good hills by comparison. I have compleet running gear from my old 69 pont. firebird R.A.III 400, 335-360 H.P., 400 TH. trans. I may be considering sacrilidge here, but have given thought to grafting compleet frount suspension,engine,trans into the truck to make a heaver hauler of it. I saw this done to a 63 in Little Rock last year. The pontiac sub-frame fit right between the frame rails of the 63 ford real slick, this allowed use of power steering, disk brakes, big eng(455) and auto trans. I guess my real question is should i touch an all original truck for this purpous? I dont have the money to buy anouther truck and it has always been a stout old work horse but im getin older and power st. and brakes would be nice. I dont know what the value of this truck might be unalterd, but I dont plan on selling it ,just need to make the most of what I have. I guess im fishing for outher thoughts before deciding on anything.Comments on proposed mods. or leaving it alone appriciated. I also have an original 4bbl intake and sutable carb for the 292-312 V8 if that makes any difirance.

 

It's your truck, you can do whatever you want to it.

The Poncho conversion will, however, really kill the resale value. It's really funny, but 1957 and newer Ford trucks with non-Ford engine swaps simply don't have much value unlike the Effies that came before. I guess it's because proper Ford engines fit nicely in the engine bays of these newer trucks so you don't have to 'suffer' with a brand X.

A 400/TH400 is certainly a truck worthy swap unlike a lot of them I hear talked about, but I wouldn't do it myself.

 

The sacrilege element doesn't bother me at all, but ease of use, installation and ease of repair are the big ones to me.
I made major modifications over the years to my '66. As I have too gotten older (something we are all guilty of!) the power steering, disc brakes and other safety and creature comforts became more important. That clutch spring got hard on the arthritic hip joint, and the power steering by armstrong got even harder on the arthritis in the shoulders.
What I didn't realize would happen is that the need for both the modifications to be simple, and the need for repairs to be easy increased just as rapidly as the need for the improvements themselves.
See what I mean?
What you are proposing is not bad, but it will greatly complicate both installing the improvements, and will complicate the repairs.

My suggestion is this: Gussy up the stock '64 into a family jewel, and buy a later truck ('80s or so) to tow with.
Or, find a '65 or '66 and use stock Ford parts from the '70s trucks for the safety and creature comforts. Again, sacrilege is not the issue, ease and simplicity are.
This will be a lot easier, quicker, and more enjoyable in the long run.

 

I agree with Banjopicker66, its your call on what you want to do, but a frame swap appears to be an extreme amount of work and you're left with a vehicle with an extreme amount of custom fabrications. I know when I see vehicles on ebay and other sites that have a hodge-podge of components from different brands of vehicles, I tend to avoid them.

I have a 64, too and eventually plan on power front disk brakes, There are many available kits that bolt on and are not too difficult to install. Also, CPP has a bolt on power steering assist kit that works with the 64 and allows you to keep the column shift. Its a bit pricey, but you keep all stock steering components. You can do these upgrades as you have the time and money to do so.

These two changes would give you most of what you want, and not require an extreme make over for your truck. Maintenance of these item would be far easier and resale value would probably be improved rather than reduced.

You could sell the Pontiac parts you have to pay for these upgrades, too.

 

Doing this would ruin 2 good rides...and it would totally ruin any resale value of your truck ...cept for parts...I wouldnt do it...its totally a no no in my book...but its your ride...but a good original truck is only original once...and thats worth a decent dollar...even with the economy in the toilet...


- cs65

 

I'm in northern arkansas and the curves and hills suck. Pulling almost 4 tons would require some mods in my book. HP is to impress your buddies, when you pull I would think you should be more worried about torque. Once your going then you of course you need to stop. I would think disc brakes would be in order. If you stick with drums you at least need a duel resevior. Nothing like 5-6 tons going down the highway with no brakes. Better make sure the e-brake is also is very good working order. A 390 and C6 might be a good towing combo and is all ford.

 

I did the Camaro subframe in my truck. It was started to be a cheap project for my youngest son. I fired him on the project really quick and built it for myself(my dad's truck). I kinda went overboard on this truck for myself. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't do the Camaro subframe. I don't like cutting and grafting on a frame if it can be avoided. I would have done the Dakota front suspension from Industrial Chassis. I think it is very clean and simple to do.
On your truck, I would consider the Dakota or the Crown Vic swap to get disc brakes and try the engine that you have to see if it works out. Change out the master cylinder to a dual resorvoir and get on the road.

Kevin

 

Thanks to all replies. I guess actually writing it down(pecking it out slowly) had me really thinking about not doing it by the time I hit POST. Im not 25 anymore,hell im not 45 anymore and the thought of what would be nessicary started to soak in. I guess i just needed a sounding board from neutral but learned individuals. thank you much, think i will mount the 4bbl intake and do something about the restrictive cross over exaust to take advantage of it. Thats were the mods will likeley stop. DrBob762