Ranger frame conversion
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7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Washington
Ranger frame conversion
HI, I need to know if a 114" wheelbase ranger frame would work under my 48 f-1. And would it be a good idea to go with a Ford 9 inch rear with this frame. My engine is a 302 with a c-6. I am open to any ideas before I start my project. Could anyone who has done this give me some ideas. Thanks,
John
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Ranger frame conversion
John,
Well, the wheelbase is right, but beyond that I don't know. I've heard about using S-10 frames under old trucks, so I don't know why you couldn't use a Ranger frame and keep it all Ford. I know the S-10s are very narrow...even narrower than an original F-1, but don't know about Ranger width. Is your old frame totally shot? If not, it would be easier to modify the old frame than to swap frames. One aspect of these frame swaps is that the rear kick up is higher, so you might have to raise the bed to clear it. There's really nothing wrong with the original frame in the rear to prevent you from using it. With all the other options for front suspension available like MII, Volare, Aerostar, Camaro, etc., that's the way I would go, but I've always had a weakness for doing things the easy way.
Well, the wheelbase is right, but beyond that I don't know. I've heard about using S-10 frames under old trucks, so I don't know why you couldn't use a Ranger frame and keep it all Ford. I know the S-10s are very narrow...even narrower than an original F-1, but don't know about Ranger width. Is your old frame totally shot? If not, it would be easier to modify the old frame than to swap frames. One aspect of these frame swaps is that the rear kick up is higher, so you might have to raise the bed to clear it. There's really nothing wrong with the original frame in the rear to prevent you from using it. With all the other options for front suspension available like MII, Volare, Aerostar, Camaro, etc., that's the way I would go, but I've always had a weakness for doing things the easy way.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Ranger frame conversion
I'm not sure about the F1, but the F100 (53-55) has a wider frame than the Ranger, although the Ranger frame is heavier built.
When I built my 54 I used a Ranger fuel tank, and it came with a piece of the Ranger frame (from the salvage yard). The Ranger frame is much taller (bottom of frame to top of frame) at the mid section at least, but about 2" narrower.
I don't know how the narrower frame would affect handling.
When I built my 54 I used a Ranger fuel tank, and it came with a piece of the Ranger frame (from the salvage yard). The Ranger frame is much taller (bottom of frame to top of frame) at the mid section at least, but about 2" narrower.
I don't know how the narrower frame would affect handling.
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7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Washington
Ranger frame conversion
Thanks for the help. My stock frame is shot. I have a friend with a wrecking yard. He said I can have an '87 Ranger rolling chassis with everything, brakes, etc. for 150 bucks. I looks to be in really good shape. I'll head back down to the yard and take more measurements. I think this may be the way I will go. I will keep you updated. Thank you both for your advice.
John
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Ranger frame conversion
John,
There seems to be a lot of interest in putting an old truck on a modern frame these days. If you can accomplish that feat, the information learned from such an endeavor would be invaluable to many on this forum. DO keep us informed if you decide on this project. I've already made my decision to go with the Volare since it is tried and true, but gave quite a bit of thought to trying to use another frame before I made up my mind. There are some die hard blue oval guys on this forum that would feel much better with a Ranger frame under their Effie than an S-10 simply because it could then be ALL FORD.
There seems to be a lot of interest in putting an old truck on a modern frame these days. If you can accomplish that feat, the information learned from such an endeavor would be invaluable to many on this forum. DO keep us informed if you decide on this project. I've already made my decision to go with the Volare since it is tried and true, but gave quite a bit of thought to trying to use another frame before I made up my mind. There are some die hard blue oval guys on this forum that would feel much better with a Ranger frame under their Effie than an S-10 simply because it could then be ALL FORD.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Ranger frame conversion
Dick,
From John's post I assumed an 87 has a 114 inch wheelbase. If they are like S-10s, there are several wheelbases within the same model year dependent on the truck model.
From John's post I assumed an 87 has a 114 inch wheelbase. If they are like S-10s, there are several wheelbases within the same model year dependent on the truck model.
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From: st.louis
Ranger frame conversion
I MEANT TO REPLY TO THIS POST, BUT STARTED A NEW THREAD INSTEAD. CHECK RANGER CONVERSION POST. SORRY, I'M NEW AT THIS!?
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From: Suwanee, GA
Ranger frame conversion
Just a suggestion, but I've been measuring an explorer frame and it looks like an almost perfect swap for the mid 60's trucks... 
I don't have a '48 handy (just a '53 and '62) so I don't know the frame specs. But from what I can tell, the '62 would sit on the frame nicely, just by fabbing up some cab and bed mounts. Viola, IFS, 4-wheel disc, and a modern drivetrain. Granted the 2000 explorer I've been measuring is a friend of mines and I can't try the swap till I find my own (and another '60s truck to try it with). But you might try there too.
I had an '89 ranger that I measured up the frame, it was 2 inches narrower than my '62 but the right wheelbase. All a swap like that would need (aside from cab and bed mounts) would be offset wheels.
Good luck,
Tyson
I don't have a '48 handy (just a '53 and '62) so I don't know the frame specs. But from what I can tell, the '62 would sit on the frame nicely, just by fabbing up some cab and bed mounts. Viola, IFS, 4-wheel disc, and a modern drivetrain. Granted the 2000 explorer I've been measuring is a friend of mines and I can't try the swap till I find my own (and another '60s truck to try it with). But you might try there too.I had an '89 ranger that I measured up the frame, it was 2 inches narrower than my '62 but the right wheelbase. All a swap like that would need (aside from cab and bed mounts) would be offset wheels.
Good luck,
Tyson
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Ranger frame conversion
Originally posted by 4tl8ford
Just a question? What year Ranger has a 114" wheel base?
Just a question? What year Ranger has a 114" wheel base?
JOHN
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Ranger frame conversion
Originally posted by 4T8ford
HI, I need to know if a 114" wheelbase ranger frame would work under my 48 f-1. And would it be a good idea to go with a Ford 9 inch rear with this frame. My engine is a 302 with a c-6. I am open to any ideas before I start my project. Could anyone who has done this give me some ideas. Thanks,
John
HI, I need to know if a 114" wheelbase ranger frame would work under my 48 f-1. And would it be a good idea to go with a Ford 9 inch rear with this frame. My engine is a 302 with a c-6. I am open to any ideas before I start my project. Could anyone who has done this give me some ideas. Thanks,
John
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