Cab and chassis interchangability
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
Is this web site getting back to, all opinion all the time, versus just give me the data and I'll make up my own mind?!?!?!?
There is another reason to use the 78 frame, that doesn't look easy to adapt to the 66 frame, and that's the gas tank. It's in the cab on the 66 and behind the rear end on the 78. Much better!!!!! I'd rather move the bed and rear end forward than have 20 gallons of a carcinogenic, EXTREMELY volatile petrol product 3 inches from my dad, me or any other loved ones, enclosed in a space not a lot bigger than a suburban barbecue grille!
And if the frame rails are farther apart, which I don't think is true, it wouldn't matter on this build because the 66 is getting a custom wood bed anyway.
The 66 body is already off the 66 frame so that's not an issue. We went to look at the 78 SWB frame for the PB's and PS and when we saw it we realized we had a solution to the in-cab gas tank problem.
Use the 78 frame if we can.
There is another reason to use the 78 frame, that doesn't look easy to adapt to the 66 frame, and that's the gas tank. It's in the cab on the 66 and behind the rear end on the 78. Much better!!!!! I'd rather move the bed and rear end forward than have 20 gallons of a carcinogenic, EXTREMELY volatile petrol product 3 inches from my dad, me or any other loved ones, enclosed in a space not a lot bigger than a suburban barbecue grille!
And if the frame rails are farther apart, which I don't think is true, it wouldn't matter on this build because the 66 is getting a custom wood bed anyway.
The 66 body is already off the 66 frame so that's not an issue. We went to look at the 78 SWB frame for the PB's and PS and when we saw it we realized we had a solution to the in-cab gas tank problem.
Use the 78 frame if we can.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 2
From: Santa Monica, CA
Peganit2, you're right. It's your truck and you can build it any way you want but anytime you post a question you're probably still going to get a few opinions thrown in with the answers.
I think when you get your tape measure out you will find the rear frame rails on the '78 are actually wider than the '66, just like Old Harley said. As for the gas tank issue, several members here have solved that pretty simply by installing a 69 Mustang fuel tank between the frame rails at the rear of the truck. Either way you go, you'll have to figure out where you want the filler to be, which isn't that big a deal.
Good luck with your project. Keep us posted.
I think when you get your tape measure out you will find the rear frame rails on the '78 are actually wider than the '66, just like Old Harley said. As for the gas tank issue, several members here have solved that pretty simply by installing a 69 Mustang fuel tank between the frame rails at the rear of the truck. Either way you go, you'll have to figure out where you want the filler to be, which isn't that big a deal.
Good luck with your project. Keep us posted.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
Before any frame swaps are preformed look in to if it is actually legal to do so in the state you live in. You may need a reconstruct or salvage (there goes the resale value) title and they may even make you title it as the year of the frame bringing all kinds of issues as it would have to meet all federal DOT standards and emissions. Even if it is legal you may need to offer just why the frame needed replaced and suffer a class I,II or three level inspection.
Also look in to your personal liability involved if an incident happens and your insurance will not pay the bill as the truck they are insuring is not the one you had the incident in. (Frame VIN rules in all courts of law) and the law is in their favor.
To anyone advising a swap in an open forum, just what are the personal liabilities involved and will FTE pay your legal bills....
Garbz
"not a frame swap proponent".
Also look in to your personal liability involved if an incident happens and your insurance will not pay the bill as the truck they are insuring is not the one you had the incident in. (Frame VIN rules in all courts of law) and the law is in their favor.
To anyone advising a swap in an open forum, just what are the personal liabilities involved and will FTE pay your legal bills....
Garbz
"not a frame swap proponent".
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
Before any frame swaps are preformed look in to if it is actually legal to do so in the state you live in. You may need a reconstruct or salvage (there goes the resale value) title and they may even make you title it as the year of the frame bringing all kinds of issues as it would have to meet all federal DOT standards and emissions. Even if it is legal you may need to offer just why the frame needed replaced and suffer a class I,II or three level inspection.
Also look in to your personal liability involved if an incident happens and your insurance will not pay the bill as the truck they are insuring is not the one you had the incident in. (Frame VIN rules in all courts of law) and the law is in their favor.
To anyone advising a swap in an open forum, just what are the personal liabilities involved and will FTE pay your legal bills....
Garbz
"not a frame swap proponent".
Also look in to your personal liability involved if an incident happens and your insurance will not pay the bill as the truck they are insuring is not the one you had the incident in. (Frame VIN rules in all courts of law) and the law is in their favor.
To anyone advising a swap in an open forum, just what are the personal liabilities involved and will FTE pay your legal bills....
Garbz
"not a frame swap proponent".
I could elaborate. Probably don't need to though.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
Peganit2, you're right. It's your truck and you can build it any way you want but anytime you post a question you're probably still going to get a few opinions thrown in with the answers.
I think when you get your tape measure out you will find the rear frame rails on the '78 are actually wider than the '66, just like Old Harley said. As for the gas tank issue, several members here have solved that pretty simply by installing a 69 Mustang fuel tank between the frame rails at the rear of the truck. Either way you go, you'll have to figure out where you want the filler to be, which isn't that big a deal.
Good luck with your project. Keep us posted.
I think when you get your tape measure out you will find the rear frame rails on the '78 are actually wider than the '66, just like Old Harley said. As for the gas tank issue, several members here have solved that pretty simply by installing a 69 Mustang fuel tank between the frame rails at the rear of the truck. Either way you go, you'll have to figure out where you want the filler to be, which isn't that big a deal.
Good luck with your project. Keep us posted.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 2
From: Santa Monica, CA
Yes, they are.... RockAuto Parts Catalog
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
The trick is to circumnavigate the laws.
I will be prototyping in about a month a 20 to 22 gallon mid-ship tank to fit 67 to 72 highboy and f100 frames in aluminum and accept a ford sending unit. Once i make one it is simple to make more.
The 67 to 72 inboard tanks will fit in to a 65 66 frame, but will not fit the four wheel drives due to the shape and T case clearance.
Garbz
I will be prototyping in about a month a 20 to 22 gallon mid-ship tank to fit 67 to 72 highboy and f100 frames in aluminum and accept a ford sending unit. Once i make one it is simple to make more.
The 67 to 72 inboard tanks will fit in to a 65 66 frame, but will not fit the four wheel drives due to the shape and T case clearance.
Garbz
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 2
From: Santa Monica, CA
Just trying to help you out, buddy......
If you wanna go through the drama and potential legal uncertainty of a complete frame swap, be my guest, but it would be silly to make that decision without knowing all the options pro & con.
If you wanna go through the drama and potential legal uncertainty of a complete frame swap, be my guest, but it would be silly to make that decision without knowing all the options pro & con.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
Thats going to be a beautiful truck. What frame are you using and why did you opt for that year?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Davison, Mi.
The trick is to circumnavigate the laws.
I will be prototyping in about a month a 20 to 22 gallon mid-ship tank to fit 67 to 72 highboy and f100 frames in aluminum and accept a ford sending unit. Once i make one it is simple to make more.
The 67 to 72 inboard tanks will fit in to a 65 66 frame, but will not fit the four wheel drives due to the shape and T case clearance.
Garbz
I will be prototyping in about a month a 20 to 22 gallon mid-ship tank to fit 67 to 72 highboy and f100 frames in aluminum and accept a ford sending unit. Once i make one it is simple to make more.
The 67 to 72 inboard tanks will fit in to a 65 66 frame, but will not fit the four wheel drives due to the shape and T case clearance.
Garbz
The in-boards are the safest, so I may be interested. My dads 66 IS a 2wd.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 2
From: Santa Monica, CA
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Monroe NJ
Paganit2, I am using a 75 frame and the only reasons that I am doing this is I had the frame,it's been sitting in the yard for about 20 years and I was going to scrap it but it has a Limited slip rear and a half way decent floor in the bed and thought it might be easier this way , but it ain't . I moved the rear forward 3" but I think 2" would be better. 1" gap between the cab and bed. Thanks, Tom