Cab and chassis interchangability
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Davison, Mi.
Cab and chassis interchangability
Just to make sure, a 65/66 F100 SWB bed, cab and clip will bolt onto a 78 SWB chassis right, without major fab work?
Cursory measurements seem to bear that out, but I wasn't using a CMM.
Cursory measurements seem to bear that out, but I wasn't using a CMM.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: seattle
In other words...measure umpteen times from every which direction...
But if you want the later drivetrain...why not just buy a later truck and run it...more comfy, good a/c if you want out of the box....bigger cab inside too as far as headroom..and parts are loads easier to find.
I would also check with your state licensing and registration laws regarding swapping bodies and frames...ive heard in some states its illegal...if it were me...Id just buy a whole 73-9 of whatever I found to my liking and drive it and be happy and enjoying the better mechanics...Ive seen lotta these truck go for 2-3-400 at auctions around here...they are a dime a dozen...heck Ive seen 2 of the rarest 73-9 trucks around here in my town on several occasions...that being the F350 Super Camper Special...Ive seen at least 3 or 4 of 'em...and the highly sought after Indy Pace Truck...albeit it needed lotta work on the unique stuff to the Indy package...and no...it wasnt for sale...I tried...Lord knows I tried...
- cs65
But if you want the later drivetrain...why not just buy a later truck and run it...more comfy, good a/c if you want out of the box....bigger cab inside too as far as headroom..and parts are loads easier to find.
I would also check with your state licensing and registration laws regarding swapping bodies and frames...ive heard in some states its illegal...if it were me...Id just buy a whole 73-9 of whatever I found to my liking and drive it and be happy and enjoying the better mechanics...Ive seen lotta these truck go for 2-3-400 at auctions around here...they are a dime a dozen...heck Ive seen 2 of the rarest 73-9 trucks around here in my town on several occasions...that being the F350 Super Camper Special...Ive seen at least 3 or 4 of 'em...and the highly sought after Indy Pace Truck...albeit it needed lotta work on the unique stuff to the Indy package...and no...it wasnt for sale...I tried...Lord knows I tried...
- cs65
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,564
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From: Tucson
Are you Kidding? just like you say "they are a dime a dozen" People want the Style of OLD and the reliability of a newer truck drivetrain... and are willing to do what it takes to get it!
nothing beats the look of a Slick!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Around here, you can buy 1968/79's for cheap, they are a dime a dozen, RUST FREE and are usually driven by gardeners, construction workers and a few far sighted people that want something that's OLD but a little more modern.
With your Slick only mentality, you must be related to an ostrich...cuz you have your head stuck in the sand!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Tucson
I stand by what i said.... Slicks have style, Dent Sides dont do it for me.
anyways, AC, PS, PDB can easily be added to a slick.
anyways, AC, PS, PDB can easily be added to a slick.
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Postmaster
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From: seattle
LOL...love it ND...but Bill W...remember...those dentsides are getting up there in age...they sure arent no young truck...and as far as looks...yeah the 61-6 looks great...why else would I have one...BUT I am still, nearly 20 years later...kicking myself in the caboose for trading in my 76 Supercab 3/4 ton in on a new car...which I ended up having for a few months..a new Mustang 5.0....I would still have the 76 too...actually did try to undo the deal too within a week of doing it...was told it wasnt possible...but I think the brakes primarily, and the cab room make the dents a much better truck then the 61-66 era...heck i saw one still in service when I went to Oregon to SMS last year...gotta love those small towns hanging onto the old iron...
- cs65
- cs65
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From: Davison, Mi.
Didn't think this would create a philosophical debate!
And I'm not sure it matters. I have on my property both a "slick" and a "dentside", and neither of them won't be for sale anytime soon. The dentside is mine and the slick I'm working on is for my father but no one in their right mind would argue against disc brakes, power steering and the other niceties that come with a newer chassis, least of all my father.
Four wheel discs, power steering, power brakes, fuel injection, A/C, etc., all in the classic style of the 65/66 is hard to deny.
For me both the 65/66 and the 73/79 Fords are both great looking trucks, and I couldn't choose between one or the other in equal condition, except the dents have better base equipment.
If you can easily put the more modern dentside equipment under the 65/66, why not?!?!?
Oh, the body for the 65/66 is in real good shape is why were doing it, and 'cause we do like the slicks a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I'm not sure it matters. I have on my property both a "slick" and a "dentside", and neither of them won't be for sale anytime soon. The dentside is mine and the slick I'm working on is for my father but no one in their right mind would argue against disc brakes, power steering and the other niceties that come with a newer chassis, least of all my father.
Four wheel discs, power steering, power brakes, fuel injection, A/C, etc., all in the classic style of the 65/66 is hard to deny.
For me both the 65/66 and the 73/79 Fords are both great looking trucks, and I couldn't choose between one or the other in equal condition, except the dents have better base equipment.
If you can easily put the more modern dentside equipment under the 65/66, why not?!?!?
Oh, the body for the 65/66 is in real good shape is why were doing it, and 'cause we do like the slicks a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Thornton, Colorado
peganit2,
I have to agree with you they are both great looking trucks, and frankly I wouldn't have guessed this debate would be created by your original question. I like the slicks, it is a look thing for me, and I like the fact they are very basic. Starting in 73 they put electronic ignition on them and it was the start of things being more complex. I have a 2010 F-150 and I am constantly amazed by how not friendly to work on it is.
I have to agree with you they are both great looking trucks, and frankly I wouldn't have guessed this debate would be created by your original question. I like the slicks, it is a look thing for me, and I like the fact they are very basic. Starting in 73 they put electronic ignition on them and it was the start of things being more complex. I have a 2010 F-150 and I am constantly amazed by how not friendly to work on it is.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Santa Monica, CA
That 2" difference between the two chassis's is enough to make me say a frame swap is a bad idea. You'll either have a bigger gap between the bed and cab or the rear wheels will sit further rearward in the wheel wells unless you plan on remounting the rear axle forward a bit. You may think that no one will notice the 2" but they do and it looks stupid. 
Swap the disc brakes, power steering, etc from the '78 into the slick. It can't be as much work as swapping bodies and dealing with all that crap. Other than the brakes & steering there weren't any great technological advances in the chassis design between those years. If you're going to go to all the trouble to swap chassis's, put it on something that will really make a difference in how it drives. JMHO
Swap the disc brakes, power steering, etc from the '78 into the slick. It can't be as much work as swapping bodies and dealing with all that crap. Other than the brakes & steering there weren't any great technological advances in the chassis design between those years. If you're going to go to all the trouble to swap chassis's, put it on something that will really make a difference in how it drives. JMHO
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Jackson County, MS
I'll be setting a 66 on a 78 frame later this week, but keeping the 78 stepside bed, I'll pass on my lessons learned....