F100 Chassis Swap Ideas

"2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
08/27/2017 at 12:26 • Filed to: None

So a common thing in the classic truck world is chassis swapping for a modern powertrain and reliablity.

I’ve always been into this, and as of recently I’ve been thinking about my favorite truck off all time the second gen F series trucks that were produced from ‘52-’56. These trucks would be a dream to own to me and they aren’t expensive to get into when the only part nessasary that really isn’t reproduced in whole being the cab, which you can then buy very much available patch panels for.

So my question for oppo is what modern body on frame would be a good match for the f100.

Requirements for the chassis:

Newer than ‘89

Fuel injection

Most importantly thought is that the chassis’s have to be close enough to even be considered. You obviously cannot use a newest generation f series due to the massive differences in size between the two not just in cab but in length and width of the frame.

Im definitely not someone who cares what brand the chassis comes from so if it’s a Nissan or whatever I really wouldn’t care, the only requirement would be a quality powertrain with aftermarket backing.

(Not that I currently have the money to build this truck, hopefully one day being that I’ve dreamt of a f100 for quite a long time)

DISCUSSION (33)

Chinny Raccoon > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:32

Would a panther platform fit? Hotrod Garage did it with a newer model and it looked to be fairly straightforward- with the disclaimer that I know nothing about either other than from the videos.

The Snowman > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:42

S10/Colorado plus you can drop a sbc/ls in both chassis very easily.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Chinny Raccoon
08/27/2017 at 12:42

Possibly although the same model hot rod garage used (‘70s I think) I’ve seen fit on top of a lightning single cab suggesting that the size of that truck is much bigger than the 50s f100. Still probably would be able to do it

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > The Snowman
08/27/2017 at 12:46

I’ve seen plenty of LS Colorados and this was always a thought. It’s pretty much tied with a Dakota r/t with the magnum

lscrx > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:47

Would an OBS F-150 (pre-97) work? The dimensions are pretty close, and you can find them cheap on www.govdeals.com

lone_liberal > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:49

Maybe a late El Camino? Then use either an LS or add fuel injection to a SBC crate engine.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:49

North American Ford Ranger that was made up to 2011 perhaps?

The overall size is ‘in the ballpark’... though there is no exact wheelbase match.

OR... The 2004-2015 North American Tacoma. It comes with a 109.4" wheelbase for the regular cab 2wd model... and a 110" wheelbase for the regular cab 4WD model.

Given the F100 had a 110" wheelbase, going with a 2nd gen Tacoma chassis might be the best option.

boxrocket > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:52

Is a Ranger too obvious? What about a UTV/side-by-side? Those 4-6 passenger ones are damn near as long as a Wrangler now.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > lone_liberal
08/27/2017 at 12:53

Well that would only propel the chassis 30 years max, still not making the underpinnings modern or reliable

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/27/2017 at 12:54

Yeah lots of the smaller Japanese trucks seem to be close enough, wouldn’t really mind a modern Toyota under it. Reliability is key in this

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > lscrx
08/27/2017 at 12:56

98 to 04 is definitely a bit big but definitely possible, I would think pre 97s would be a managable size compared to the 98+trucks

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > boxrocket
08/27/2017 at 12:58

Ranger was obvious but at that point I felt one of the v8 Ford bof SUVs of that era would work better and have a highly appreciated v8

lone_liberal > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:58

There are ton of suspension options for G-bodies out there. The frame being old doesn’t make much of a difference.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 12:59

I also have a hunch that having a closely matching wheelbase will be key to making the swap easier as it will lead to fewer chassis or body modifications needed.

And it’s also BOF, which is also a necessary ingredient to making this work.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/27/2017 at 13:02

Me and you are totally on the same page.

I can just see the Ford guys after they see the modern Toyota v6 under the hood lol

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > lone_liberal
08/27/2017 at 13:04

I was just looking for cheaper doners, to get a good chassis on a el camino would be alot harder than an explorer and would cost much more

boxrocket > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 13:05

True. Sport Trac and regular Explorers come to mind. Though since you’re after the frame, a V8 swap wouldn’t be extremely difficult, depending which one you chose.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > boxrocket
08/27/2017 at 13:09

I think the idea behind this would be cheaper than a fully restored f100, the cab in good condition can be had for less that 4000$ without rust, the reproduction panels are just generally affordable and the done should. Be a southern us vehicle, auction or body damage bought in good condition for under 5000$

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 13:19

Yeah... it would definitely irk some... lol.

Though I’m thinking it might be easier to stick with the 4cyl since the V6 might be too wide for the engine bay that was designed for an I6 or a compact OHV/flathead V8

E92M3 > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 13:24

Most people use an Explorer or Crown Vic chassis. It’s the least work involved, but still quite a project. Search youtube for “CrownHic Project”. They used a 65 F100 body, but it will show you what kind of work is involved. A lot of people try to take this on, and abandon the project before they ever finish.

You can get 90% of what you want by just installing a Crown Vic front subframe with a 5.0L. They almost bolt on, and give you disc brakes, more modern suspension, and power steering.

Or you could just get an Art Morrison chassis.

I’ll stick with my trucks stock setup, and change the carb every 10 years. I carry an extra coil, and mechanical fuel pump. There’s almost no way I’m getting stranded. Unlike my friend who swapped a 5.0L into his Fairlane. He’s had nothing but problems. Ignition module failure, Throttle Position Sensor, etc...have left him stranded. He won’t drive it more than 5 miles away from home these days.

Spridget > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 13:27

If you took an F250 and cut the bed down some, a Crown Vic could work.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > E92M3
08/27/2017 at 13:35

Yeah I’ve watched the crown hick as well as a 52 stuedebaker on a Dakota r/t and a 72 f100 on a lightning, I can imagine the kind of work but the end result I really want is that modern truck feel with (imo) is the best looking f series and possibly the best looking truck to me ever on that chassis. It would just be the best of both worlds. What truck do you have?

The Snowman > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 14:12

I’m in the middle of LS swapping my 4x4 Colorado single cab, I’ll let you know how easy it was once I finish. Also LS>magnum by a mile.

The Snowman > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 14:14

Regular cab tacos only came with the 4 cyl for that gen right?

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > The Snowman
08/27/2017 at 14:23

Possibly. Still the i4 taco is still a modern a powerful powertrain for what it is, plus modifications for any taco is plentiful

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > The Snowman
08/27/2017 at 14:25

That sounds awesome. The only reason I’d do a Magnum Dakota over a ls Colorado is because the Magnum came from the factory like that and is a much cheaper chassis to get into without a swap

E92M3 > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 14:25

I have a 51 F1, and 66 F100.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > E92M3
08/27/2017 at 15:04

Nice 51 Ford’s look really cool too!

E92M3 > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/27/2017 at 15:35

I originally wanted a 56 F100 too, but saw the 51 on craigslist for 1/3rd the price, and after going to see it grew on me.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > E92M3
08/27/2017 at 15:43

Yeah I can get behind the first generation. Although my heart will probably always be set on late second generations

Pickup_man > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
08/28/2017 at 11:01

After doing a lot of research on this for my ‘50, I’ve decided to just brace up my stock frame, and swap in a more modern motor. Disc brake conversions are easy, and a newer rear end from a pre ‘77 truck is a direct bolt in (for mine at least). I haven’t decided whether or not to swap in IFS or keep the solid axle though. IFS would ride nicer, but the solid axle would be much cheaper, much less work, and retain some of the original character of the truck.

If you really want to do it there are likely a lot of forum posts about it, especially for the second gen. I’d search for some of those and see what others have done.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > E92M3
08/28/2017 at 12:09

Crown Vic. There is even a Hot Rod Garage episode on how to roughly do this.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
09/07/2017 at 22:05

Motor Trend On Demand. Yeah.