Well Folks, I read all the notes and questions about sitting a 40-41-up to 47 Ford on the S-10 chassis. In spite of it all, I bought an old one (89) to use for just that purpose. After reading all the negatives, I was nearly ready to give it up and search for something else. I had no Ford frame, it was a 2 tonner when it came to me. Then I read a post by a Gent who had successfully mounted a '52 Ford on an S-10 frame, showed pics on his website even. There, says I, it can be done, nothing to it. So my Grandson and I had at it. Tore that little chevy down to her underwear, then proceeded to grind and sand RUST. Bad Bad RUST. Then before we were to paint with POR-15, we sat the cab of the '47 on to test. WHOA! Frame tooooo wide at the front. Like some folks said, too wide at front. Problem is, the S-10 gets bow-legged right behind the front wheels. That makes it stick out from under the floor of the cab. UGLY. So we scratched our heads for a solution. Finally we cut the bow legged sections out, both sides, then swapped sides with them. That makes them bow in. I made a cardboard pattern so I knew where to cut for it to work. Then got a nephew who is a schooled welder to put her back together again. Splice plates etc. and lots of rod. Just finished painting the frame tonight, we did, after the welder finished. UGH. Now the cab will fit, but what work. Believe it when folks say it's a lot of work and not for the faint hearted. If I'd had several thousand to invest, I would've bought a new manufactured frame, but didn't. If I'd been a more proficient welder, I would've made my own frame, but I'm not. If I'd had any sense, I'd still be playing with my trains! But didn't. Anyways, we're still plodding along, having fun in spite of my stupidity, and it gives the Grandson and I something to do together. Quality time! Oldrodder43

 

Oldrodder43, Is your S-10 chassis from a extended cab or regular. Are you going to have to extend the frame or shorten it. I was thinking the extended cab wheelbase is about 121" and the regular is about 112" just wondering. Sounds like a great project

 

I used a regular cab long bed truck which is 118" w/b. My research shows the 47 effie should be 114", however, I didn't have a bed with my truck, as it was a 2 tonner with a flat bed body, so it doesn't bother me. I may make a wooden body or something, who knows? As far as lengthening or shortening, I've seen posts saying grind out the welds where the factory put em together, well, I say, Lots of Luck! oldrodder43

 

Hi oldrodder43 i'm putting a 50f1 on a s-10 frame i thing the 47 is a little narower than my 50 i know the site your talking about i think. Lakota. That's the guy i talked with about mine i'm putting a 350 TPI in mine also taking 5 inches of the top. But i wanted power stering and four wheel disc brakes to that's why i wanted the s-10 frame. My wheel base is 114 inches so im going to take 3 inches off the front of my bed to make the difference in the length keep us updated on your truck sounds like an interesting project

 

Yup, that's the site, Lakota. His project looks great from the pictures. I think maybe your 50 is wider than my 47 as you say. I have the frame modified now so I think it is going to be ok, but will be a time before I try it again. I spent a couple of weeks of evenings/weekends grinding rust!! UGH. Then painted with POR15 black. Now I'm tearing the front wheels, brakes, steering, and suspension apart to rebuild them all. After I put them back on and run new plumbing I'll wheel it out of shelter and try the cab again. I found an article in an older hot rod book where a guy cut out those offset frame sections and replaced them with "straight" sections. Must have been from another frame where the kick up for the rear axle starts. I will do that another time. My fix looks awful though it might work fine. I am anxious to get the Ranger stripped to see if that is any better. If so, I'll make a switch mid-stream! Good luck with your project, keep us posted. Oldrodder43 (Perley)

 

What year Ranger are you thinking about? I might be able to save you some work. My 46 sits on a 1988 Ranger chassis. I used the short bed chassis because that is what I had, but the long bed chassis has nearly the same wheel base as the 46 half ton. The width for either is almost an exact fit for the 46 cab. The front clip fit easily enough after I cut the raised sections off of the front of the frame (about six inches).
Because of the short bed frame I will have to move my rear fenders forward three inches because of the shorter wheel base. It should be easy, but I expect it to fight me a bit.
Do you have any pics of your progress. You can see my progress, or lack there of, in my gallery.

 

Hello Fix, and thanks for that information. My Ranger is also an '88, and also a short bed. Glad to hear that it will fit. I haven't been able to make any progress on tearing it down yet, many other obligations in life! Ahhhhh, the Golden Years! haahaa. 63 years here, and life keeps getting busier! Maybe this weekend, Grandson (16) and I will be able to get some things accomplished. Working outdoors in a portable garage isn't any fun either, especially now that dark comes so early. BUT, still able to manage. Going to be a fun project, has been already, nice to share something special with my (oldest) Grandson too. oldrodder43 (Perley)

 

My gallery doesn't have all the pics I have (let me know if you want to see more and I will scan them and post them on a web page or something).

The 46 cab will actually sit on the factory Ranger mounts, but the front cab mounts are off center by about 1 1/2 inches. I have a photo that shows this in which I am using a 2x4 to hold the cab off the frame (it's between the front 46 mount and the factory ranger mount).
The rear mounts are't even close, but a peice of hollow rectangular stock 1 1/2 wide and 3/4 tall that goes from one side of the cab to the other will fit into the 46 cab mounts and allow you to connect with the factory Ranger frame locations.

Since mine is already ripped apart and in the process of going back together, I would be happy to help you with what worked, and what didn't work. It might save you some time and effort on your project.

It could have been a lot easier than I made it. I wanted to keep the rubber mounts for the front clip and cab so it would ride smooth when finished. If you avoid this, it should be a cinch. If I were to do it all again I could probably get this whole mess done in a couple of weeks (if I didn't have to fix rusty floor pans).

 

I've tried sending a private message, but keep getting an error message. It would be nice to get this off the forum, methinks. oldrodder43

 

I've gotten private messages before, so It has worked for others, but I've never tried to do it myself. I'll try to send ya one and see if I can make it work.

 

does anyone know why the S10 is a popular swap chassis? Is there something about the Ranger frame that makes it harder to use? How about using an old bosy on a Ranger? Like a Model A or Model B ??

 

I've always wondered. I assumed that it was just an easier swap, but I have since learned that the Ranger frames are a closer fit. I think the I-beam front suspension on the older Rangers is the reason the S-10 frames get looked at. They are really hard to lower so you're pretty much stuck with the stock ride height. They now have dropped beams, but it's still exensive to lower one. Personaly I always like the I-beams and think they're worth all the trouble.

I always intended to stay Ford with my project. So I only measured other ford truck frames. I also looked at Mazda, but they're really the same truck. The full size short bed Ford trucks are also an option for a frame swap, but I think the Rangers are easier.

I think when it comes to hotrods some people automaticaly think small block chev. I hate that opinion. To me the small block chev seems to me to be a badly enginered engine. I refuse to use shims for starter bolts, and the auto trans that goes behid these motors just seems week and underbuilt. It seems that there are a lot of old fords out there that are now suffering with a chev transplant. I see them at shows all the time.


As far as whether a model A will fit on Ranger chassis, Send me that old model A and I'll let you know.

 

thanks for the comments. I like the looks of an "A" pickup, but would love to really drive it. The SHAY is an option, but they're not cheap. Fabrication is no problem with me, but I was just wondering if I would find a huge problem or roadblock is I tried to use a Ranger chassis.

 

I could send you some measurements, if it would help. I can still get to most of my frame, but the factory Ranger body mounts have been removed.

I think with either chassis If you wan't it to be low, you will have to channel the cab around the frame rails.

You could also just go to a salvage yard. Most of them will let you measure some stuff. That's how I decided on my chassis. I measured several and ended up with the 88 because it was cheap. Ford hasn't changed much on the frames of these little trucks. They are all pretty much the same. If you go 98 or newer you avoid the I-beam suspension problems. The long bed single cab matches the wheel base closest to the 46 body style, but you would have to check to see what length fits best with your truck.

 

thanks again. I'd be looking for a "stock" look, not a hot rod. So setting it low isn't a concern. I have plenty of modified or fast cars. I would just like the look of a stock pickup, but one I could go 70 mpg or drive a few hundrd miles if needed )