Frame Swap Question

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Dec 12, 2009 | 06:18 PM

BSCowboy

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From: Huntsville, Alabama

Frame Swap Question

I've got a 75 F-150 with a bent front cross member. I found a 76 F-100 super cheap and was wondering if they are both long wheelbase trucks can I swap the frames out? Or, would it be easier to take mine to a frame shop and get it straightened?

Dec 12, 2009 | 07:41 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

They should be a bolt and go operation.

Dec 12, 2009 | 07:46 PM

BSCowboy

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From: Huntsville, Alabama

Thanks for responding, I was getting worried.

Bolt and go, that's refreshing, but I would need to use my F-150's suspension right? Also, is the straightening out of the question?

Dec 12, 2009 | 07:49 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

The trick to straightening is that they typically are never fully true again, so it depends on how the frame is damaged. The suspension is similar, and the brakes are the same if I recall properly, it was into the 80's that they made the changes between them. The F150 was more of a way to get out of some emissions rules if what I have heard is correct.

Dec 13, 2009 | 08:34 PM

BSCowboy

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From: Huntsville, Alabama

Thanks for the help. I am going to take it by a fameshop and see how bad they think it is before I purchase another truck and attempt the frame swap.

Dec 14, 2009 | 08:59 AM

Blackfoot Big Block

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From: Park City, Utah

I agree with fellro86.

Once a frame is bent I think it's darn near impossible to get it perfect. If your frame is not bent too badly I think it shouldn't be too expensive to get it "straightened".

I've never had the discipline to just do a frame swap (or cab/bed/body swap). Every time I've done this so far, the scope of the project grows. It's the "Well as long as it's apart, why don't I [insert repair/upgrade of your choice] syndrome. In theory, it shouldn't be that big a job; if you are disciplined about it.

Dec 14, 2009 | 04:59 PM

BSCowboy

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From: Huntsville, Alabama

That's too funny, I have already been thinking of all the "other" things I can do while I am doing the swap, that's why I am going to take it by a frameshop first. It's not a bad dent in the front crossmember, like someone hit a rather large rock or something. Enough to bend it back slightly and twist the engine a few degrees off center.

Again, thanks for the input.