Hello;
I am considering the restoration of a 1948 - 1950 ford pickup. I would like to retrofit the body onto a modern frame, I was thinking a Ranger frame. What is the best frame, fit-wise to use? Is this a big job? Is a Ranger extended cab too long?

Any help / comments are welcome

Thanks

john the rookie

 

Get ready for it cause here it comes....


Nothing against wanting to do this and I know very little about the subject but a quick search will get you a VERY long list of pro, cons and differing opinions on the subject. Long story short you are better off keeping the stock frame and retro fitting the important items onto it. Disc brakes, power steering and the like. Unless you like grueling punishment and are a master fabricator I would suggest NOT doing it. Just my .02

That being said there is a site that has some info on using the S10 frame. It is for a Chevy body though not a ford. Good Luck man!!!

 

Thanks for the advice.

jf

 

1948-52 Ford Truck Frame Swap

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-up-frame.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-1959-s-b.html

 

Hey John. Welcome to FTE!

Do you have the truck yet? From the way your post reads, I'm guessing not. I thought about doing the same thing before I got my truck. The truth was, there is a lot of measuring, cutting, welding, fabricating, and guess work involved in doing a body swap. It can be done, certainly, and picking the right vehicle (S10, Ranger, Bronco II) can make all the difference in the world. BUT, once I actually had my truck I realized that the frame was in dang good shape, as good or better than the S15 I had as an option. Furthermore, having an early BB truck meant that there's plenty of aftermarket to supply me with relatively cheap parts when I can't get them at the old-time part store. Pretty much anything I could want my truck to do will bolt on to the old frame, keeping the body mounted properly while allowing me to add a newer rear end, newer front subframe/ifs, whatever I want.

My advice: Only pull the trigger on this idea AFTER you get a hold of a truck. If the truck you get has a hacked up, rusted out, and/or beat to crap frame...GO FOR IT, if it's got a good frame, save yourself the time, money, and frustration...there will be plenty of other things to use them on.

Good luck!
James

 

Hi John,

Welcome to FTE.

Yep, this subject comes up monthly. I'd wait to see what you end up with first, then sit down and come up with a plan.

 

Welcome John!

Have you owned a Bonus Built truck before? Driven one? I'm curious why you want to zoom straight to a drastic modification straight-away?

By the way, the words "restoration" and "frame swap" are mutually exclusive.

 

thanks for the advise everyone. I plan to leave the existing frame and promise to never ask the question again.

jf

 

To put things into context, a restoration by definition is to re-create the original. To resto-mod is modify a vehicle but allow it to "look" original, and then there's the full on custom, where everything is changed to an extent. Just swapping frames and drivetrain would typically fall under the resto-mod category. Hope that helps. Anyhow, a Ranger frame with a 114" (113.9) wheelbase is what you'd want to look for.

 

Hey, don't let us overwhelm you. We just like to help out is all. Opinions are all most of us have anyway! (at least that we can share)

Whatever you decide to do, keep us updated. We love to see rides in progress no matter what you're doing with them!

James

 

My 49 has stock frame. Frame was dropped 8" under cab to keep leg room. Top chopped 6". Wish it was 8" to 10". I would post a picture but cant figure out how to do it.

 

I just picked up a 1948 ford pickup in real rough shape. flat head 6cly frame is real good . Im new at this and have some limited skills and want to learn. what is a good car to retro fit the 48 i want to change out rear end and front steering and use 48 frame can you advise.

 

I have 4 of these trucks and I can honestly say these frames are probably much better quality than the newer stuff there's plenty of bolt on stuff or weld on that make the older stuff better, IFS disc brake upgrades and so on

 

We can advise. However I suggest you start a new thread instead of tacking onto a five year old discussion that doesn't relate to your questions. That way the title of your thread makes sense with the questions you are asking.

Welcome to the forum. I hope I don't sound harsh, just trying to help you get the most from your experience here.

 

[QUOTE=38 coupe;15646339]We can advise. However I suggest you start a new thread instead of tacking onto a five year old discussion that doesn't relate to your questions. That way the title of your thread makes sense with the questions you are asking.

Welcome to the forum. I hope I don't sound harsh, just trying to help you get the most from your experience here.[/QU

ok thank you just learning this site