78/05 project.
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Junior User
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From: pueblo west
78/05 project.
I'm looking at doing a project like the super dually on spike tv. I have a 1978 ford single cab short bed and a 2005 ford f150 crew cab that i'm plainning on using for this project. does anybody know of a good frame shop in the colorado springs co area. Or around the kalamazoo Mi area. that would be willing to cut a seciontion out of the middle of the frame. to shorten the wheelbase. How safe is it going to be once the frame has been cut in the middle and rewelded. any info on other peoples projects like this would be a great help.
spc Jarratt
spc Jarratt
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From: pueblo west
I like the body style of dent sides more than the new trucks but i want the mpg and suspension upgrades of the newer trucks. so for the most part i want the old body and new powertrain. I'm mostly going to use the truck for 4wheeling in the colorado springs area. but I might have to tow a trailer every once in awhile with this truck. the trailer loaded weighs about any where form 5000 lbs to 7000 lbs when loaded. I dont tow to often just when I get stationed some where else. so the frame still needs to be strong.
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Southern WV
I like the body style of dent sides more than the new trucks but i want the mpg and suspension upgrades of the newer trucks. so for the most part i want the old body and new powertrain. I'm mostly going to use the truck for 4wheeling in the colorado springs area. but I might have to tow a trailer every once in awhile with this truck. the trailer loaded weighs about any where form 5000 lbs to 7000 lbs when loaded. I dont tow to often just when I get stationed some where else. so the frame still needs to be strong.
Well, welcome FTE. If you can pull this off I'd love to see progress reports with pics. Ive often dreamed of this but never had the money, tools, space or patience to pull it off.
The village idiot.
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From: Southern WV
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: St. Charles, Missouri.
The WheelBase on your '78 Regular Cab ShortBed is 117". (If my memory serves me correctly)
Just curious, is it a FlareSide or StyleSide...?
The WheelBase on that '05 CrewCab is 139".
Good Luck on your project Bro, Can't wait for Pictures.
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Welcome to FTE, Both of you, Even though I'm younger than both of you, it's great to see new comers (I'm almost 16)
Just curious, is it a FlareSide or StyleSide...?
The WheelBase on that '05 CrewCab is 139".
Good Luck on your project Bro, Can't wait for Pictures.
Subscribed.
Welcome to FTE, Both of you, Even though I'm younger than both of you, it's great to see new comers (I'm almost 16)
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: colorado
there's a few competent fab shops here in C-Springs that could handle a simple frame shortening.
you might talk to this guy first. I've had work done, he's pretty good and fair on prices.
Crazy Ed's Performance
there's plenty of others let me know if you need more.
sounds like a great project. I've wanted to do the same thing for a while now.
you might talk to this guy first. I've had work done, he's pretty good and fair on prices.
Crazy Ed's Performance
there's plenty of others let me know if you need more.
sounds like a great project. I've wanted to do the same thing for a while now.
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From: East Texas
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
I'm glad firstonraceday posted that link. I was gonna bring up an important point that this guy addresses.......but couldn't remember the link.
Anyways, on the 04+ trucks, nearly everything is integrated into the firewall. If you wanna use the 5.4's original electronics, you will need to swap the firewall as well. That's what the guy with the Bronco did. Ford Motorsports sells a standalone harness for the 3valve engines. This would make it a little easier for you to integrate the 3v engine into your body........but it's not cheap.
Anyways, on the 04+ trucks, nearly everything is integrated into the firewall. If you wanna use the 5.4's original electronics, you will need to swap the firewall as well. That's what the guy with the Bronco did. Ford Motorsports sells a standalone harness for the 3valve engines. This would make it a little easier for you to integrate the 3v engine into your body........but it's not cheap.
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From: pueblo west
they are both stylesides. The 78 has a wheelbase of 117 and the 05 is 138. so you guys side that the firewall is integrated. what is all intergrated. I plain on using all the old heating duct. and old dash so do guys know of any way of using the electronics with out buying a stand alone system and with out swapping out the firewall. thanks
spc Jarratt
spc Jarratt
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
Well, I'm sure you could to it without swapping the firewall......but there is so much crap that's built into it...... It seems swapping the firewall would be easier than trying to adapt everything else.
I have an 05 myself, but it's dark, and I can't find my flashlight. I'll check it out a little closer in the daylight. And it's not just the engine compartment. The other side of the firewall is gonna give you trouble too. For instance, you pedals won't work. The 05 uses a electronic fly-by-wire throttle. Your brake pedal won't work either.
If you're gonna attempt to use the the 05 frame, engine, transmission and electronics........it seems swapping the firewall is the way to go.
I have an 05 myself, but it's dark, and I can't find my flashlight. I'll check it out a little closer in the daylight. And it's not just the engine compartment. The other side of the firewall is gonna give you trouble too. For instance, you pedals won't work. The 05 uses a electronic fly-by-wire throttle. Your brake pedal won't work either.
If you're gonna attempt to use the the 05 frame, engine, transmission and electronics........it seems swapping the firewall is the way to go.
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Junior User
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From: pueblo west
well i'm not going to be able to get started as soon as i wanted since time is getting short before i have t deploy. anybody have any ideas how im might be able to get a wrecked/totaled ford raptor.
thanks
brandon
thanks
brandon