'67 - '72 Front End into a '64?

[2bocat]

I've successfully upgraded a few manual steer/drum brake F-100's to PS/PB using the tried and true method of stealing/installing a front end out of a similar donor truck with PS/PB. However, I've got a '64 F-100 in the corner of the shop that's pretty to look at, but murder to steer. Obviously, the '64 uses a completely different suspension/steering setup and I've considered some of the after-market PS upgrade kits. I was wondering if anybody has tried to cut the front end out of a donor '67-'72 and weld it into a pre-'65 straight-axle truck. I'd actually welcome any novel upgrade ideas that go beyond just rubbing a lot of money on the problem via an after-market rack kit.

[fordman]

you might try http://www.fordtruk.com

[texrodder]

I've successfully upgraded a few manual steer/drum brake F-100's to PS/PB using the tried and true method of stealing/installing a front end out of a similar donor truck with PS/PB. However, I've got a '64 F-100 in the corner of the shop that's pretty to look at, but murder to steer. Obviously, the '64 uses a completely different suspension/steering setup and I've considered some of the after-market PS upgrade kits. I was wondering if anybody has tried to cut the front end out of a donor '67-'72 and weld it into a pre-'65 straight-axle truck. I'd actually welcome any novel upgrade ideas that go beyond just rubbing a lot of money on the problem via an after-market rack kit.

I swapped a 77 F150 front suspension under a 79 bronco,about 15 years ago,basically removed complete crossmember (ground welds) and slid it into the Bronco frame rails,and used the F150 radius arm brackets,fit perfect,the frames are so similar I bet you could do the same,only took about 15 hours total,so was only out shop tools and labor.Measure rails on both truck and give it a try.

[2bocat]

Thanks much...definite measure twice cut once situation!

[cdherman]

It has been done over at fordtruk (Slick60s), but its not the usual front end swap that is performed. The twin-I design is a good one, strong and reliable, but most of the time, doing a front end swap on a straight axel truck is done so that the end result is maximized for driveability. Twin-I, if you have it, is worth keeping, but you can do better if you are going to start torching and welding.

Crown Vic swaps seem to be the most popular. You should come on over and do some reading and ask questions there. I have a 65 and never did a front end swap, but I read about them intermittantly......

[averagef250]

Twin I beam has fans and critics. I'm a big fan and don't believe there is any better pickup front suspension made.

If you use your truck like a truck you cannot beat the beams. They take abuse and ride very well on very rough roads, through fields, ditches, what have you. I have flown a 460 2wd 75 F-250 supercab that rode like a cadillac to a height of over 20 feet from it's tires and the ground, landed it's 6000 pounds squarely, but somewhat jarringly with no structural effect whatsover to the front suspension. It still drove like it was fresh off the lot until the day it gave it's drivetrain to another project and went to the crusher.