68 2wd body to 79 4wd frame and running gear

[bike5087]

Hello - I have a 68 2wd f250 with a 360, np 435. There is a 79 f250 4wd for sale an hour from me. I looked at it briefly,it has a 400 and a 4 speed. The body isn't that bad, but I love how my 68 looks! Also - its only $800, but the guy says it runs but misses. I'm thinking about offering him $700, then doing a body swap and possibly putting my 360 out of the 68 into the 79 frame.


Some questions:
Is it worth it?
Steering column - do I keep the 79's?
If I were to swap the 360 to the 79's frame and tranny - I'd need a bellhousing and possibly motor mounts?
What else besides the slight frame differences will need to be addressed in the body swap?
Any suggestions?

[knightfire83]

Some questions:
Is it worth it?

Yes, but it is allot of work.

Steering column - do I keep the 79's?

Yes.

If I were to swap the 360 to the 79's frame and tranny - I'd need a bell housing and possibly motor mounts?

The 79' probably already has a np435 if its a 4 speed, just swap the bell housing and clutch parts from the 360 you already have. Other people here may know about the motor mount question.

What else besides the slight frame differences will need to be addressed in the body swap?

There will be a 2" gap between the cab and box, due to the 73-79 truck's cab being longer. You can move the rear axle 2" forward, or split the difference and move the box 1" closer to the cab and have the rear tires not centered by 1".

Any suggestions?

When you get the body off the '79 get a power washer and degrease the drive train and clean the frame. Do all your PM stuff like grease u-joints, change tranny oil, replace seals, brake cables, etc. with the body off it's allot easier.

Offer $500-$600 see if he'll bite....

[basketcase0302]

Bike5087,

and possibly motor mounts?

Here's the tutorial on the engine mounts:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/engine-perches.htm

[Rustbucket75]

I was looking into doing a similar swap with my '79 F150 using a '67 2wd cab and bed. There are small differences in the frame. The mid-cab and aft-cab mounts are identical, but the mounts for the front clip/grill are a little wider on the 79 4x4; not a difficult mod. I'm not sure about the rear of the frame, I think the 79's frame is wider at the rear. You may have to drill new holes for the bed mounting. If you keep the 68's wiring and fuel cell it may simplify everything. Realize that the 360 fuel pump is made to sump from a much shorter distance than the '79's. I'd keep the 360 over the 400M, the 360 2bbl was a great worker stock from the factory; and all the guages and wire harness from the '68 will match engine and alternator. The only advantage to the 400M is electronic ignition and there are more aftermarket "hot rod" parts available for it, but personally I dont think it's worth keeping the 400. IF that 400M is on a manual transmission, whether it's a T18 or a NP435, the spline and the "bell housing to tranny" bolt face are identical. Don't forget to match your engine with the origional flywheel and bell housing with whatever engine you choose so you wont have starter/bendix issues(360 parts with the 360 (or) 400 parts with 400) The clutch linkage will have to be adapted. Aslo, the '79 has front disk brakes. I think you'll need to use the '79's master cylinder and booster if equipped.

I realise I have included some personal opinions on your project, but I sincerely hope this information helps you with your project, or with your decision to take this project on. Good luck, I already have truck envy and you haven't even built it yet.