I have a 53 f-100 I'm am restoring but the frame is no good. Is there an easy frame swap out there? I'm looking for independent front suspension and at least disk brakes up front. I was thinking about an 80's-90's ranger as the wheelbase is close at 108". Has anyone done this swap? Does it work or is there an easier swap without spending 6-8 grand on a new frame?
Thanks

 

Having done a frame swap, I have to say "easy" and "frame swap" do not go in the same sentence.

What is currently wrong with your frame that it is not repairable?

Look at how straight your original frame is and now look at the shape of a Ranger frame is:

It will take custom body mounts to make the conversion possible. This is not something that will be done in a weekend and requires a lot of room to have two trucks disassembled.

I used a 78 F-250 frame since I wanted to keep my truck a 1 ton truck. There aren't any aftermarket or swappable clips for the bigger trucks.

There are many things to consider with a frame swap:
1. What engine are you going to use?
2. What are you going to use for steering?
3. What do you want for ride height as most swaps aren't ground scrapers. They are more stock height.

If your still interested you can look through my frame swap tech article that I have linked in my signature.

I list wheelbase as the last thing to consider as it is easier to change than frame profile and trackwidth. It's better to shorten a longer frame than to lengthen the wheelbase.

 

dueller is right it's not for the timid and easy is in the eye off the beholder . look at his article as iv'e used his for reference myself . i'm putting my 55 on a 74 1/2 ton frame which required cutting 37 inches out of the frame and rewelding channel back in and some cosmetic " surgery " but yes it can be done if you want it . and a word of caution there is no two swaps alike so be prepared for some head scratchin' . somewhere on here there's a fella who dropped his 56 on an explorer frame and it looks good and also could be quite helpful to you . maybe someone can point you to him .

 

If it were mine I'd look for another 53-56 frame to put it on and modifiy that frame with an IFS (Volare, Jag, MII, etc.) and a later rear end. If you look around you should be able to find a parts truck with a good frame without spending 6-8 grand on it. If fact, you can buy a frame already fitted with a Volare from Bobco for less than that...

 

Mine is on a 69 f100 frame with twin-i-beams from a 74. If you have the space, all the needed equipment and have no deadlines then it is possible to do a frame swap. I disagree with others who have in the past said that it is a more expensive process than other options but it definitely is much more involved and will take considerably more time. As Dueller has said, it will never be easy and there will be compromises to make but you will have a heavy duty truck when you're finished.

On the other hand, if you want a lowered truck, the front clip option is so much more practical and is tailored for that end result. However if you want it lowered and also want to use it as a truck, for heavy duty use, that may not be desirable. Beefing up the stock frame may be a more suitable approach.

Plenty of options and decisions to make. Good luck!

 

you are right huntsman it isn't expensive to do . i am like just about every one who goes this route i dont want to give up a big chunk of change for an updated frame . i also had the running 74 given to me FREE!!!! so in the interest of my tight budget some measuring was done and away we went . it isn't really a hard swap just like you said , time consuming and it can be done . i wanted all the goodies and i still get to use mine to use as a truck if i so wish .

 

Thanks guys for all your comments. My truck did not have the original frame when I bought it. It is currently "resting" on a 67 f-100 frame with no body mounts. It has twin I-beams but drums all the way around. So since the body is currently not attached to any frame I was hoping to get something that already has disks without having to swap them out as well. I'm not looking to tow anything with the truck so having a heavy duty truck is not a necessity for me. Finding a 53-56 parts truck may be my best option.

Thanks again.

 

My 1948 F-68 is currently mounted on a 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton short box chassis. The previous owner did the frame swap so I can't enlighten you on how difficult it may have been. The body mounts he had done look relatively simple and the body sits the way it should. I will post some pictures as soon as I can of the mounts and the stance of the truck so you can have a better idea.

 

buy the new mounts from someone and put them on your current framr mr. n . i'm using the original mounts from my 55 f350 frame on the 74 frame . i just centered my fenders {front } then put the cab on done some head scratchin' and we figured out where everything had to be , and i might add i did at the time still have the original frame to take some measurements from . there was /is a thin crossmemeber that runs under the back of the engine { 360 fe } and my front mounts snugged right up agianst the bolt towards the rear of the frame for it and the rear mounts go an inch down on the frame rail from the top when you locate the position . the only thing i have had to do is find a 1 1/4 inch taller rubber mount , which i had a couple of poly mounts for the radiator support of my 97 gmc which juat happened to be the right height for mockup ,and obviously longer bolts . i could go on and on but gotta get back to WORK so i can play with my toys !!!!

 

To change the 67 F-100 to disc brakes you just have to grab the I-beams from a 73-79 F-100/150 and it's a direct bolt in. You can also take the power steering as well.

 

Did anyone ever figure out who the guy was that did the 56 on the explorer frame? I'd like to contact him if possible.

I saw a 56 on ebay the other day that was set on a 2002 explorer chassis. I called the builder and he said he had to take 3 inches out of the frame, but other than that everything worked pretty good. However, from the way he talked it sounded like he just welded the 56 frame on top of the explorer frame to keep all of his mounts the same? I could have misunderstood, but it sounded like a possibility. Also, he used the explorer's engine, tranny, steering column, and pretty much everything else and said he had very little problems with it fitting. In fact, he said that the body fit right over the engine w/out any mods at all. I'm starting to think about pursuing this option, so if anyone knows that guy mentioned earlier that did the same swap, please let me know.

Here's a link to that ebay auction I was referring to:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-F-100-Custom-Cab-56-FORD-BIG-BACK-WINDOW-F-100-Pick-up_W0QQitemZ230129328322QQihZ013QQcategoryZ39414QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Considering that the dimensions on an 02 explorer frame are a 113.8" wheelbase, and about a 61" track width, it would explain why he had to take 3 inches out of the frame. However, I was looking at possibly a 95-01 explorer frame which had a 111.5" wheelbase, and about a 59" track width? That way I could center the front wheel in the fender, and just fudge the extra 1/2 inch here and there. Any ideas, suggestions, or words from experience? Or let me know too if I'm thinkin' crazy here....

 

joelburn he goes by the moniker of houghda on here and you can look at his threads by doing a search on him. it's a 2 wheel drive explorer and he used its floorpan and put the cab on it . look it up very cool stuff .