I have an 85 F150 extended cab 8ft bed truck. I am pretty sure the frames are the same on these trucks all the way up to 96 correct? The reason I ask is because I have a 88F350 with 4x4 ZF and a rebuilt 351W that I just got for a couple hundred bucks. The body was shot so I scrapped it and kept the rolling frame. I talked with the boys in the 4x4 and Offroading part of the forum and they pointed me to a skyjacker kit that is supposed to have everything in it that I would need to put the suspension and axles under my truck. The question I have is that the kit is advertised as fitting a 92-96 Ford trucks. Any ideas guys? I'm pretty sure the frames are the same because all the body parts will transfer over but I wanted to make sure first before I start to invest in it.

 

The frames are NOT the same. the F350 frame has leaf spring front suspension and brackets while the f150 has coil springs and brackets.

The rear axle is pretty much a direct bolt in. And the 350 springs will interchange.

The front axle is a differnt story. You would need to take the F350 front bracketry off the 350 and mount it to your F150. Then you will also need to notch the frame for the front shackles.


there are ac ouple other differences as well


If you have any more ?? just ask. I have done this swap at least 4 times

 

brad are the frames themselves the same? I would have thought a F350 would need a thicker metal than an F150 to account for the extra payload capacities amongst other things.

 

As far as body mounting is concerned, on the various configurations, the frames are the same.
That RSK for the 92-96/7 can probably be made to work with a 91 and older frame, but the frame forward of the core support mount is shaped differently.
Compare ORu's kit for the older trucks to the Sky kit, and you should be able to figure out what you'll need to do to make it work. You'll probably just need to box the front of the frame, but I haven't looked that closely at one of the aftermarket setups.
ORU's Reverse Shackle Kit 1986.5-1991 Ford 4WD F350 - Reverse Shackle Kits - Off Road Unlimited

 

The frames are identical aside form leaf spring vs coil spring hardware up front and different crossmembers for different engines. All this can be changed relatively easy if the body/engine isn't in the way. Some point after '86 they changed the front of the frame to a crumble zone. It's annoying but shouldn't affect what you're doing.

I'd use the F-350 frame for your build, get the lift for that truck, and put your body on it. Any issues should be minimal.The kit should include front springs, drop pitman arm, drop bracket for panhard bar, rear springs or rear shackle flip+shims (don't use blocks, hokey junk), shocks. That's about all you should need for a 4"-6" lift.

 

Only the F150's got the crumple zone, and that was in 92, the F250/350s changed also, but did not get the crumple zone.

 

From the statement above you can get the impression the f250/350 suspension will bolt onto a f150 frame. It will not. The frames are different enough in the front that the f250/350 suspension will not fit unless you make it fit with some fab work.

 

I know that the F350 has leaf springs thats why I want to put them in the F150. Hence the point of the whole swap being discussed. Skyjacker makes a kit that is supposed to give you all the parts needed to put the F350 front axle and leaf springs on the F150. However under the years it said that it was for a 92-96 F150 hence the question of whether or not the frame itself is the same. I know the difference between coil and leaf springs and such. Thanks for the help guys. I cannot put the 85 body on the 88 frame because the 88 was a single cab 8ft bet and the 85 is an extended cab 8ft bed. The frames are not the same length. Brad you wouldnt happen to have taken pictures of this when you did it did you?

 

Skyjacker makes NO such kit to put F350 axle in any year F150


The frames ARE DIFFERENT
1. The F350 frame is thicker the the F150 frame.
2. The F350 has a longer and beefier Gusset that the steering box bolts to.(welded in)
3. The f350's front cross member(welded in) has holes for the trac bar mount(f150 does NOT)
4. The F150 has holes for the front spring rear hanger(under cab mount, where radius arm bracket is( Must drill and mount F350 bracket)
5. The F350 has A hole & dimple in the frame for the front shackle to hang centered.(Drill and stack of washers)
6. The F350 has a notch out of the bottom of the frame where the front shackle goes.(have to cut )
7. The F150 has no front shackle mount(drill and mount F350 bracket)
8. The F250 has no holes for the F350 shock mount bracket.(drill)


While alot of it is measuring and drilling new holes you have to cut the frame for clearance for the front shackle. Also while I am sure not necessary but i cut out the F150 engine crossmember and steering box gusset and welded in F350 ones.. I'll see if i can dig up pics. I did my first one back in 95-96 before digital cameras

But i personally would cut an lengethen the F350 frame to match your supercab Body then set your body on the F350 frame. Either that or go buy A 82-91 F250 supercab 4x4 frame and set your axles under(DIRECT BOLT IN) and then set your body on the frame

 

Since he's planning on doing a shackle reversal, he desn't have to do anything about the front shackle mounting not being on the 150 chassis. Just needs to lose his coil buckets, mount up the 250/350 ones and hang the rear shackle hangar.
Personally I like the 250/350's extra boxing, but it has been done enough on F150 and Broncos without it that it probably isn't really an issue. The extra crossmember that the shackle reversal adds probably makes up for it.

 

I must have missed he was using a RSK

 

So if I use the reverse shackle kit I should be ok?

 

My mistake its not skyjacker that makes the shackle reversal its Sky.

 

You will still need to box the front frame horns

 

Ok well I am not to worried about that I can do that no problem. Thanks for all your help brad and 82F100