What Would you Do???
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Freshman User
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What Would you Do???
Heres the deal. I have a 1976 F-250 Explorer 4X4 and a 1978 F-250 Custom 2wd.
The 76's wiring was fried. I picked up the 78 to use for donor parts/wiring. However, the harness is different so I have a couple of options.
1. Pull the cab and fenders from the 78 and put it on the 76.
2. Pull the 4wd and suspension from the 76 and put on the 78.
Now, the 78 purrs like a kitten. Interior is clean and i would be scavenging alot from the interior of the 78 to put into my 76. The 76 does not run and need an overhaul or the engine from the 78.
Given everything here, what would you do?
The 76's wiring was fried. I picked up the 78 to use for donor parts/wiring. However, the harness is different so I have a couple of options.
1. Pull the cab and fenders from the 78 and put it on the 76.
2. Pull the 4wd and suspension from the 76 and put on the 78.
Now, the 78 purrs like a kitten. Interior is clean and i would be scavenging alot from the interior of the 78 to put into my 76. The 76 does not run and need an overhaul or the engine from the 78.
Given everything here, what would you do?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 881
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From: dallastown pa
Well I would say 4x4 is more valuable to me but thats because I live where it snows and such. So if it were me I would transplant every thing in to the 76 and have 4x4. What transmission does the 76 have and what trans in the 78? 76 most likely has an FE motor 360 and the 78 351M or 400 this will require different motor mount perches then you have to consider the transmissions and bell housingings.
So maybe you need to keep the 78 in tact if its road ready then work on the 76 as time permits, Wiring harnesses can be bought but are costly painlees has them I think 700 or so.
Motor you could pull and rebuild as money and time permit them have two nice older trucks.
So maybe you need to keep the 78 in tact if its road ready then work on the 76 as time permits, Wiring harnesses can be bought but are costly painlees has them I think 700 or so.
Motor you could pull and rebuild as money and time permit them have two nice older trucks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 190
From: Colorado Springs
Centech has way better wire kits for cheaper, and, use factory connections in some places. i think like 300.00 or so
keep them both, all of these "parts" can be purchased new.
What "interior part" is worth scrapping a whole truck? certainly not a door panel, seat or carpet.
Have you tried looking for new seat upholstry, carpet kit, door panels, dash pad, etc., because they are all available new, along with fenders, hoods and mechanical parts.
I remember when i was 17 i bought a "parts truck" for my other one, then i realized i could repair the first one with new stuff, and kept them both.
keep them both, all of these "parts" can be purchased new.
What "interior part" is worth scrapping a whole truck? certainly not a door panel, seat or carpet.
Have you tried looking for new seat upholstry, carpet kit, door panels, dash pad, etc., because they are all available new, along with fenders, hoods and mechanical parts.
I remember when i was 17 i bought a "parts truck" for my other one, then i realized i could repair the first one with new stuff, and kept them both.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
id say that your best bet would be to swap the fourwheel components and suspension. then put the other stuff on the other truck and make a pre-runner or rat rod truck out of the then 2wd explorer.
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Freshman User
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That's kinda what i was thinking. The 78 is flawless other than not being 4wd. Seems I would have more work swapping the 78 goods to the 76 than just the 76 4wd to the 78. But, I may be way off base.
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Freshman User
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I pulled all of the wiring and trashed it. I robbed the harness from my dad 75 and got most of it hooked up. However, his truck did not have AC or dual tanks. And the wire colors were not the same as my 76 wiring. I have it 90% done with the 75 harness but I have a few left over wires that I can't figure out where they go. Also, his fuse panel was different since he didn't have AC and I dont know where to tie that in either.
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If I do that I will have to swipe engine mounts and figure out what to do for the tranny. See, the 76 has a 428 big block and the 78 has a stock 351W. The tranny's are the same, but the bell housing would be an issue. I guess I could just swap bell housing though couldn't I?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
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From: Western N.C.
You must have a lot of money and/or time to burn...
If your '76 4x4 truly is a 428, why neuter it by installing a 351M? Eventually you'll put the 428 back in, right? Right?!
Is the engine tired? Blown? Broken? Would it run if you installed a new harness?
Swap all the non-drivetrain parts you need from the '78 to the '76. Sell the '78 and use the money to freshen up that 428. Drop $300 or so into a NEW wiring harness from Centech as 78_F800crewcab4x4 said, and have a proper truck rather than a cobbled-together mess.
The wiring harness in that '78 is only two years newer, and when you start pulling, flexing, and re-routing it, you will still probably end up with a few broken wires. Not to mention having to figure out where all of the leftovers are supposed to go. Too many things will not match up, colors are different, and wiring diagrams will make you go blind. Plus, if something else gets fried because of another compromised harness, you will have two trucks that don't run and you'll have to buy two sets of wiring. Add in all the work you did, time you took, and headaches you suffered just to get back where you were...only twice as bad...
Save yourself the time, effort, and aggravation. Swap body parts, glass, etc. only. Have two complete trucks. The '78 will still run and drive, so it will be easier to get more for it. Bite the bullet and get a new '76 harness, take your time and only have to do it once.
If your '76 4x4 truly is a 428, why neuter it by installing a 351M? Eventually you'll put the 428 back in, right? Right?!
Is the engine tired? Blown? Broken? Would it run if you installed a new harness?
Swap all the non-drivetrain parts you need from the '78 to the '76. Sell the '78 and use the money to freshen up that 428. Drop $300 or so into a NEW wiring harness from Centech as 78_F800crewcab4x4 said, and have a proper truck rather than a cobbled-together mess.
The wiring harness in that '78 is only two years newer, and when you start pulling, flexing, and re-routing it, you will still probably end up with a few broken wires. Not to mention having to figure out where all of the leftovers are supposed to go. Too many things will not match up, colors are different, and wiring diagrams will make you go blind. Plus, if something else gets fried because of another compromised harness, you will have two trucks that don't run and you'll have to buy two sets of wiring. Add in all the work you did, time you took, and headaches you suffered just to get back where you were...only twice as bad...
Save yourself the time, effort, and aggravation. Swap body parts, glass, etc. only. Have two complete trucks. The '78 will still run and drive, so it will be easier to get more for it. Bite the bullet and get a new '76 harness, take your time and only have to do it once.