I believe the 53 frame is 32 inches wide and the 83 is 34 inches wide. Heck thats only an inch on each side so it might not look to far off...

 

The difference in frame width is not the major problem. The issue is with the frame length and more importantly the axle width. Getting a later model frame under an effie would take a lot of slicing and dicing of the frame itself to get the wheelbase and frame contours to match the older truck. Then you still have to build new body mounts. And even after the body is fit onto the frame, you have to deal with the axle width issue. The '48-'66 trucks had front and rear axle widths around 61" wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface. From '72 up, the axle widths grew to about 69" WMS to WMS. An extra 4" per side is a lot to try to keep stuffed under the fenders.

Putting the later truck's suspension system under the effie will result in the same problems that swapping the frame will. If you are mostly just after IFS and disk brakes on the cheap, look into the Volare swap. It would end up taking far less fabrication in the long run and the donor cars are easy to find.

 

Depending on what you are wanting to do with the truck it can work but it's far from simple. I'm doing a similar swap with a 54 F100 body on a 84 F250 4x4 chassis. The picture in my signature is the truck. You can check it out on the projects forum here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...4x4-build.html

To use the F100 chassis you will need to either move the rear suspension, axle and cross members, shock mounts etc. forward. Or cut the chassis somewhere in the middle and shorten it to 110" wheelbase.

Next you will need to modify the cab mounts on the chassis and add around 4" of body lift. You will also need a huge firewall recess or move the engine and transmission forward around 8".

Lastly you will need to cut off the 83's front frame rails to make clearance for the 55's front body parts. This means if you want to run a front bumper you will need to fabricate some front frame extensions that are the correct width for your 55 body.




In my opinion you are way better off keeping your stock frame. You can swap in the motor and transmission from your 83. But the rear axle is too wide and the front suspension is too much of a hassle to swap in. You can go with a MII, jag or something else for the suspension much easier.

 

If you have a seperate clean frame put a Mustang II or Volare front suspension in it to get want you want and call it good. Just my .02.

 

welcome and nope ya don't wanna do it . i had a 83 2 wheel drive without a title with a 351 w and auto sitting here and got the same idea for a second . stripped all the body , interior etc, from the 83 and sold what i could . sat a spare 55 cab up on it and when i got it all sitting where the fenders were centered over the tires well ...... the engine would more or less be sitting between you and the passenger , your gonna have a huge x huge gap between the cab and frame due to the way the 83 frame is formed , the wheel base in the rear would have required about a 10-11 foot bed or longer to put the fenders over the rear tires , on and on . go find another donor , but use the 83 for parts my friend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Look into the Crown Vic ('03-up) swap for the front suspension on your stock frame.

 

There are so many options for that original frame. I think you would be better off getting a Mustang II type IFS kit. They are already designed for your situation and will give you discs and rack and pinion steering. The kits are getting cheaper all the time. I saw on recently for about $1200 hub to hub. It may seem expensive but by the time you try to mate that 83 front end to the original frame and adapt all the blah blah, you'll probably spend more. Plus the geometry of the suspension is designed for your vehicle. That eliminates all kinds of alignment and handling isssues later. Try to keep it simple. Even the with the IFS kits, there are lots of things that need to be adapted like brakes, steering, exhaust, etc. Of course, it's your project, good luck with it.

 

Not sure, I think he will put it back on craigs list

 

After reading about Fordman's swap. I think maybe I won't do that.

I do have a 55 frame that has a Cordoba front end installed. has steering box but no steering column. Any ideas what column will work for this front end.

thanks

Dan

 

Probably going to need about a 32" column. You'll need to use universal joints anyway you can match shaft from the Volare to the end of whichever column you choose. Also, do want column shift, key in column, and tilt. There are plenty of aftermarket columns out there. If you need sources, I'll be glad to post them.

 

Can I just use the column from the 83?

Thanks

Dan

 

It might work. I'm not familar with 83 trucks, but the length from where the steering wheel mets the column to the end of the shaft at the bottom should be around 30 to 32 inches to work. The shaft may have a "rag joint", remove it and the shaft is either splined or is squared off. Either way, just order a universal joint which wil match.

 

one truism you should remember when attempting any fabrication, grafting, swapping, modifying or even discussion...

a wise old drag car builder told me once (and proved it to me several times)

"any time you change one thing... it changes three more"

by remembering that and considering it before each of the above actions... you'll save yourself untold money, grief, sweat, blood and humiliation. Ask me how I know... or ask my drag car builder buddy ... his story about me will be tons funnier

later
John

 

It's far from a simple swap but for me it's going to work out but mine is also a 4x4. But if you want a 2wd then the new F100+ isn't the best choice for a chassis donor.

If your frame has a cordoba front suspension then you've already got a big head start. If I was you I'd just go thru it and rebuild the cordoba suspension/steering. You can fab up the motor mount brackets for what ever engine you want to run much easier then swapping chassis's.

I personally don't like the looks of newer columns in the older Ford trucks. They just look to large to me. For mine I bought a "Mr. Roadster" steering column from Speedway Motors. It's the same diameter as the stock one and they have them in different lengths. So it has the right look to it. It doesn't have any turn signal set up. So I'm just using a clamp on style turn signal unit. It has that vintage look that matches the truck. They also have a vintage looking column with turn signals but it's not cheap!

Here's a picture of my column with the cheap Grant steering wheel I'm going to run.



But if you want to run a newer one you'll have to get your cab mounted on the frame( if it isn't already ) . And measure to check and see what column will work out. And then you'll need to buy or make a new column drop down bracket and the firewall/floor mount/ support for the column.






You could but it's like the chassis it's far from a bolt in swap.

 

Another question. What year did they change the frames? ie I know the 53-56 are all the same. But want to know what year they changed from the 53-56.

Thanks