Does anyone know how hard it would be to install a 72 f-250 standard cab on a 99-03 superduty diesel chasis. Im trying to weigh my options on installing a newer diesel in my old truck frame or just swapping the cab off of it and installing it on a 99-03 chasis. I think it would be alot less headache to do the cab swap (minus the firewall hacking) but I dont know the difference in frame specs
Thanks

 

I sure as HECK dont know. Good Luck

 

dont know but i know what will. a measuring tape!

 

your biggest problem is making sure the body mounts will line up, they went to a wider frame in 80 so i doubt it but you could measure it and make sure as for every thing else it depends on how good you are at customizing.

 

Are you good with body work, wiring, and custom fabrication? If you are, you should be able to do it. Getting all the parts from the truck to mount up in the old cab will be a challenge. This thread might help give you an idea of the amount of work. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...onversion.html

 

there is someone with a 6.0 that has basically done this with a 4 door cab that is in eastern Idaho, Pocatello Chubbuck area. I forget the name off hand but they'd be a good contact.

 

Yeah I think that guy hangs out over on PSN. It is a sweet truck...

 

I can add something to this:
The body style, front suspension, steering components, engine families and transmissions '61 - '64 was radically changed for '65 when Ford introduced the Twin I-beam, the FE, 300 and the COM for 2WD trucks.
Although the '61 - '66 skin looks the same, don't be fooled - most parts do not interchange between those years, including the cab. 4WD is not part of this change either, until the late '60s.
The 2WD truck frame retained the same dimensions '65 - '72, so if you need to take measurements, use one of those.
In '73, Ford widened and lengthened a bit the rear frame, but kept the same Twin I-beam suspension and geometry. This means that all dimensions from the front to the rear of the cab are the same - you can bolt up a '65 cab and front clip with no modifications on a '79 frame and it will sit properly. To put a '65/'66 body on a '73 or later frame is one of the most popular swaps, as it is viewed (by some, not me) as somewhat easier to obtain power front disc brakes and power steering - than transplanting the '70s parts onto the '60s truck, which is what I did. Check my sig.
Conclusion: Measure a '65 or later 2WD for comparison. Do not use the following, '72 or earlier:
4WD
Crew Cab
F-350 or higher
I trust this helps a bit with the informational details.
Can it be done? Sure, with enough time, planning and money.
However. But. I think there are some lessons of which you should be aware.
1. Title issues: At least one FTE member who did a mismatched body to frame swap found himself on the wrong side of the law when the state conducted inspections such as matching the title and the body with the frame, or similar. This definitely becomes a problem when moving to another state. Most states have implemented these inspection programs to identify stolen vehicles, mostly as a result of E-bay auctions and the borderless reaches of the Internet. Remember the restored '60s VW van recently recovered as stolen 30 years ago when it was being shipped out of state? The restorer lost all his money when the insurance company claimed it.
2. Insurance issues: Here locally, an out of state retired couple was driving their 30's body put on a later frame - a Pinto I think - on I-95 and got in an accident. With a fatality. Insurance was on the body as a '30s car, but there was no reference to the later frame and suspension. I'll give you three guesses - and the first two don't count - as to what the insurance company is saying. The home state is looking into the history of the car, and the law appears to be on the side of the insurance company, from what my State Patrol friend is telling me.

So, take my thoughts for what they are worth. I wish you the best of luck. If you do put a '72 body on a Superduty frame, take lots of pictures and document it for the '61 - '66 Slick 60s forum!

 

thanks for the info. im definitly going to have to take some measurements, like the wheel wells and the frame length. im not to worried about the body work, im more worried about the frame width and length