Remove the engine, this takes a lot of weight off the front. While out, go ahead and update the other stuff while you have the extra room to work. 302 is a good choice. Can be left stock to prevent some of those hormones from getting him into trouble.

Since I've just drove my frame swap truck to work yesterday for the first time, I have some knowlege on the subject. Swap the front beams, radius arms, and springs as a single unit. Change the manuel gear box out for power, bolt the power brake bracket and booster to your cab, and change out the steering column. Sounds like a lot of work, but I firmly believe it would be less work than swapping frames. Steering column is the hardest part of the swap. The hole front end comes out with 11 nuts/bolts. Power steering gear box is only 3 additional bolts. 11 more nuts/bolts/screws will remove the steering column. My donar was a 79 and the brake bedal rod had to be shortened 3/4 inch (don't take that to the bank, measure your own and cut/weld accordingly).

The entire sheet metal can be removed with 14 bolts/nuts, but you will still have to pull the steering column and swap the power brake hardware, so you really are not saving much time. That metal is not light either.

You have 2 years? Why not start enjoying it in 3-4 weekends.

Thats my two cents.

 

Well drof, I planned on trying to pull the cab and front end off to clean all the grease and grime out ( as much as possible any way).Put rhino hide on the under side of the cab. Sand and paint the engine area. With everything off the frame it will be easier to switch out the front end,brake lines power steering unit.With a later model frame swap I 'll still have to pull the body off clean and paint it I don't plan on a high dollar make over,but I'd like a safe and half way decent looking pickup for my son. He'll be going down a lot of dirt roads so there go,s the paint job LOL. And with Rumatoid Arth. and a touch a Lupas I don't move as fast as I use to. Thats the main reason for 2 years.I can get 2 Aframes to pull the cab, bed and front end I won't have to lay on my back as much, and I still have all those honey do's to do. Where she comes up with them I'll never know.

 

You think you had it bad with that AA one tonner? Wait till you start driving that truck you're fixing up.

I rejoiced when Ford introduced the Super Cab in 1975, because I finally was able to buy a pickup from Ford I could actually fit into.

You can reposition the seats and also tilt them back in a Super Cab, try doing that in a Regular Cab.

The cabs are so tight thru 1966, I wonder why you'd bother with one.

The first thing you'll notice is the position of the steering wheel in relation to your stomach!

The last time I drove mine was when we moved out here from WLA in 2001. It was not a pleasant 40 mile drive.

When I bought my '65 new, I was 20 yrs old, 6-5, 250. Today, I'm a few weeks shy of 65, I now weigh 345, and "Arthur" has arrived.

 

I guess ND you didn't pay attention to whom it was for.It's for my son. He takes after his mom .He might get 5'9 ,150 lbs when he stops growing. I've driven it a few times and yes the steering wheel is tight, but with power steering I could go with a smaller size steering wheel and be fine with it. My son wants the bigger wheel so it stays.

 

I did pay attention to who the truck is for...but I know how kids are, and their dads.

Who's gonna be driving it until your son gets his drivers license?

Who's gonna be driving it after your son gets his drivers license?

Depends on who has the keys.

What would you rather drive? A 1951 Plymouth with its anemic 97 HP flathead 6, or?

I know these cars, cuz I learned to drive on a '51 Chisler Windsor Deluxe with its anemic 116 HP flathead 6 and...Clunk-O-Matic.