Frame swap questions

[tcruarceri]

Love my 71 bump side, but can't really excuse keeping it unless it is 4wd. I also have a 95 f350 I purchased recently, 4x4, efi 460 and automatic. Would like to know if anyone has done a similar?
Plan is to to with a flatbed set up to eliminate having to swap beds. I know the frame dimensions for single cabs from the 70's o the early 90's only really changed up front for the core support but don't know by how much.
Hope to measure everything tomorrow.

[basketcase0302]

Would be a nice truck when done. Can't help much, but imagine the wiring won't be that easy to graft together if there's crank sensor and OD computer wiring involved? Maybe Spectre can help a little:
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=50700

[tcruarceri]

Well i do have some of that information down, and guess i'll put it here if anyone else needs it.

Tranny is an e4od, so yes its electronically controlled, i can either use the 95's computer which can drive it (but is speed density) or convert the engine to a mustang MAF set up and run the tranny with a stand alone system (about $5-600 from baumanator(sp?)). The bigger complication will be the shifter, since i cannot find any inexpensive ways to convert an e4od to a cable operated floor shift, which would make the swap much easier then using the factory shifter.
I would run almost everything else off a modified version of the f100 body harness, like tail lights and headlights, but with upgraded harnesses from rjminjection.
I know I will need to make new rear mounts for the rear of the cab because of differences between the 70's f100 + 250/350

[70 ranger]

I did a similar swap. 70 body on a 95 f150 with an auto over drive. If you click on my link below it will show some pictures. I am happy to answer any questions you have. It was not very hard but a lot of work. Now i have a fuel injected six with overdrive, 4x4, power steering, anti lock disc brake, intermittent wipers and a bunch of other stuff. (all for cheap I might add) I am really happy with the swap.

[tcruarceri]

Any tips on the core support mounting would be nice, even though I believe the 350's is different. I was offered a trade on the bump so we will see what happens...
If not this time, I may consider it down the road. I love the 79 and older trucks.

[70 ranger]

First off I lined up the cab and mounted it. then when the front clip went on I bolted the rad support to the inner fenders. I left the rad support unbolted (from the frame). Then I cut of the front frame rails from the 70. These were bolted to the rad support then welded to the existing frame. I also attached a class 3 receiver hitch to the front and gusseted the whole thing.

[crewdcab]

Getting ready to do something like this myself. 70 crew onto a 96 powerstroke 4x4 crew frame. 70 Ranger, your truck looks great. I love the vintage Honda in the back. Looks to be a 82 or 83 CR480?

[70 ranger]

Getting ready to do something like this myself. 70 crew onto a 96 powerstroke 4x4 crew frame. 70 Ranger, your truck looks great. I love the vintage Honda in the back. Looks to be a 82 or 83 CR480?

No it's nothing that modern! It's a 78 cr 250. I restored it a few years back, and when I got my truck on the road I had one nice day to take pictures so I threw it in the back. I thought about a diesel myself but I already had a half ton in the drive way. If you need any help or pictures give me a shout. One thing I have wondered about though, the reg. cab is 2" shorter than the newer chassis. is the crew going to be 2" shorter or is it going to more than that? Don't have a clue just wondering

[tcruarceri]

From what I have read on the crews is relatively the same but he fron axles don't line up. Also check out powerstrokenation(I think), a lot of guys are putting old crews on 2000 and newer superduty frames.

Speaking if axles, it looked like the axle was sitting further up front then stock on your truck after the swap. Is that so? How much?

[70 ranger]

Speaking if axles, it looked like the axle was sitting further up front then stock on your truck after the swap. Is that so? How much?[/quote]
You talking to me? Ya the axles are a bit to far forward on my truck. I used a 300 6 for my swap, so I lined up my firewall to come 3/8 of an inch to the back of my block. When I did my rough measurement it looked good but not quite good eneuph. I think an 8 would have fit better. I should have done a modification to the cab itself to allow me to install it back a little further. I am also running 35" tires so it makes it more noticeable. When I go to smaller tires it shouldn't be to bad. With all the things I did to my truck there aren't to many things that people pick up on though.

[tcruarceri]

Looks great how it came out. I've wondered about figment issues with the longer 300.

[70 ranger]

I thought the 6 would be a good one to do a swap with because the width of the motor and all it's accessories would take up less room than an 8. The engine bay is not as roomy in the bump as it is in the 95 because of the inner fender wells. When I did my swap I was waiting for my factory A/C to show up. I had never seen one in real life! So I didn't want to start modifying the cab's firewall in case the A/C went there. That is why I positioned it where I did. I have not done any research for an 8 but I would think that you could move the cab further forward with an 8, but it might be a little more challenging shoehorning it and all its goodies in there.
Start ripping it apart. in a few days you will hit a point of no return and you will just have to make it work!