saved a 66 f100 from the scrapper and swapping frames!

[jdeshler]

ime for a body swap.. 1964 f100 body to the 1978 f100 4x4 frame..

Here's old buckwheat


This is the 64.. I found it at the local scrap yard, paid 400$ fixed the wiring there and drove it 15 miles home!


Got the clip off buckwheat


Then the cab

[jdeshler]

Dirty girl!


Ol' reds next


Took the clip and all on this one.. had some bolt issues:/.. no biggie!

[jdeshler]

Little less mud, little more grease.. its alright, we cookin with peanut oil now


Buckwheats measurements






Reds measurements






Basically a DIRECT bolt on

More to come!

[jdeshler]

[jdeshler]

Got started at 5am and got a few good hours in


She lined up with only 2 things interfearing. The fender at the steering box was one and the other was the hole for the stick..








got em straight and here it rests..


What's left of the 64


Almost looks like somethings happenin

[sargentrs]

That's a sweet swap! Great work.

[jdeshler]

That's a sweet swap! Great work.

Thanks! I never imagined it would so smooth..

[jdeshler]

A quick metabo to the bolts and she's off.. the bumper and the gas tank



Its tough workin alone but I shimmied the bed up there



Just sitting there its obvious it'll need some shim work but that'll all get attention along with my 2" body lift



Lookin rough but O so good!

[Alstoyz]

[jdeshler]

Well on the way!



78's rear frame width



66's frame width



78's frame length from rear cab mount to end of frame



66's frame length from rear cab mount to end of frame



78's wheelbase is give or take 115



66's wheelbase is give or take115



So... we hatched 1000 quail:D



Back on topic.. I notched the frame



Made for the perfect drop in the back of the bed



2" of shims brought the front of the bed up to the perfect height.. 2" of lift in the front of the bed and 2" of drop in the back put it spot on by my eye! None of the holes for the bed lined up so I had to redrill.. no biggie



Damn straight



Lined up perfect!

[jdeshler]

Thanks for the interest!

[elgemcdlf]

I do not know how you came to identical wheelbase measurements. I had always thought there was a 4" difference between a slick & a dent BUT

1964 F100 1/2-ton SWB - 114"
1978-1979 F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"

What are your plans for the big gap between the cab & bed?

[jdeshler]

I do not know how you came to identical wheelbase measurements. I had always thought there was a 4" difference between a slick & a dent BUT

1964 F100 1/2-ton SWB - 114"
1978-1979 F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"

What are your plans for the big gap between the cab & bed?

I may be off a few inches on that tape because i was having to hold it by myself.. but here is a 4-5" difference in the frame. Its why there is a 2-3" gap between the cab and the bed. I also had to cut a 2" notch in the back of the frame to take up some more of the difference... I had to redrill all the holes for the bed but the cab was no problem! I opted to have the gap a bit larger so I can run my large spare tire.. I'm thinking about a sheet metal filler for the passenger side..

** I edited my op so that would be clear.. thank you for bringing that to my attention

[elgemcdlf]

I had thought about possibly just adding to the bedsides & steps. Another thought even though you have it bolted down is to slide the bed forward just a tad. When you do the lift you plan you could move the bed forward a little bit that would help without really making the wheels/tires look out of place in the fenders. I played with the wheelbase on my truck when I did the suspension installs. Longer rides better so I stretched it just a little at each end. Of course the other obvious option is to cut the frame down or just leave it alone. Been there on that trying to measure alone. Totally understand.

[jdeshler]

I had thought about possibly just adding to the bedsides & steps. Another thought even though you have it bolted down is to slide the bed forward just a tad. When you do the lift you plan you could move the bed forward a little bit that would help without really making the wheels/tires look out of place in the fenders. I played with the wheelbase on my truck when I did the suspension installs. Longer rides better so I stretched it just a little at each end. Of course the other obvious option is to cut the frame down or just leave it alone. Been there on that trying to measure alone. Totally understand.

I stared down that gap for a loooong while before I decided I could live with it.. the tires are actually pretty close to center but the picture makes them look forward.. i believe i would rather have a bit of a gap than not be able to run my spare (its 1" from the cab when mounted).. it is a little big at 35" but I love that look!!