Frame Question

[Stew4706]

I am going to be doing an axle swap on my 73 but an 86 Waggy for sale down the street has me thinking. I am liking the idea of just picking up a donor and redoing the the frame and axles and swapping the body over - Thoughts?

I think the bumper mounts are different, anything else? Anyone have some experience they would like to share?

Thanks.

[SJTD]

At some point the number of body mounts was decreased by one per side. Idunno if it was after '73. Count em up.

[joe]

If you're just swapping axles, look for a pre-80 donor. In 80 the differentials moved. Front to drive side, rear to center. 79 and earlier front is pass side and rear is offset to pass side. For a body swap the bumper mounts are different an possible front floor pan configuration and possibly fuel filler door location? There's a rumor the floor pan for the BW QT equipped 73-79 wags is shaped different but I don't know that as fact. I know one guy who dropped a 64 Wag body on an early 80's chassis and his only big problem was a custom steering shaft between the steering column and steering box.

[babywag]

Dunno your skillset, but obviously anything is possible if put in time/effort.

This thread may have good info for you.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=131069

[rang-a-stang]

If you did this swap you would want to do the whole drive-train rather than just frame/axles. That way you get correct axles/xfer case/trans/gas tank/brake proportioning valve, etc. I think you would also get a panhard bar out of the deal, too. Honestly, if the 86 is cheap, I say do it. Then you get a spare engine, interior parts, and pieces to sell. probably break even on the deal if it's cheap enough.

[Stew4706]

If you did this swap you would want to do the whole drive-train rather than just frame/axles. That way you get correct axles/xfer case/trans/gas tank/brake proportioning valve, etc. I think you would also get a panhard bar out of the deal, too. Honestly, if the 86 is cheap, I say do it. Then you get a spare engine, interior parts, and pieces to sell. probably break even on the deal if it's cheap enough.

That is what I am thinking. I have also found a 74 frame and axles but I would need to ship it.

Thanks for all the responses!

[tgreese]

Likely the '86 axles will have very tall ratios, like 2.73s. These can be changed, but it's difficult or expensive, again depending on your skill set. The '73 will likely be 3.31, though 3.73s were optional. The main difference for a '74 set is they are 6 lug, and the front will be the much superior Dana 44 open knuckle axle, near 100% certain with front disk brakes.

Get the '74 front axle and convert it to Ford hubs so it's a 5 on 5.5" wheel pattern. Keep your rear axle (assuming it's the same ratio as the new front).