Swapping ‘94 Cab and Box onto ‘93 Frame

[4RunnerGuy]

I have a ‘93 F150 4x4 5.0 with a cab that’s completely rusted out.

I found a clean ‘94 2wd 4.9 for a song.

For some reason I’ve convinced myself that the cab/box swap is a decent idea: ending up with a clean 4x4 with a 302.

Encourage my stupidity or tell me to stop.

There’s no “real” reason to do this. I’m kind of stuck with the ‘93, so to speak.

I feel like with the prices of used (even shit box trucks), I can probably sell the rusty now 2wd for $750-1000.

That makes the swap pretty much a wash, minus my time and the rusty shit I break along the way...

 

[reptillikus]

I'd swap the 4wd parts into the 2wd. It would be easier, and IMO the 4.9 is the better motor anyway. Then put the 2wd parts into the rusty truck and try and flip it.

 

['84 Bronco II]

I'd swap the 4wd parts into the 2wd. It would be easier, and IMO the 4.9 is the better motor anyway. Then put the 2wd parts into the rusty truck and try and flip it.

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of the 300, but how do you figure it is the better engine compared to a 302? Sure, the 300 is bullet proof and makes decent low end torque, but stock for stock the 302 isn't really far off in the torque department and makes significantly more horsepower. Not to mention, if you want more, there is nearly endless aftermarket support for the 302.

A cab and bed swap is probably easier than swapping drivetrains, especially if you have a 2 post lift or gantry crane. Regardless, I don't think the truck is likely worth that much work. Being that you are in Texas, I'd recommend selling both and buying a 4x4 351 with a clean body, which you can probably find pretty reasonably priced.

 

[JR4X]

The body parts swap should be bolt on no fab work required EXCEPT for the unknown of busted cab bolts or whatever rust nonsense you run into. I’d still body swap before I suspension/drivetrain swapped. The ECM and wire harnesses are completely different between the two and that will be the more complicated part of the swap either way. The ECM and engine harness has to stay with its respective engine.

 

[reptillikus]

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of the 300, but how do you figure it is the better engine compared to a 302? Sure, the 300 is bullet proof and makes decent low end torque, but stock for stock the 302 isn't really far off in the torque department and makes significantly more horsepower. Not to mention, if you want more, there is nearly endless aftermarket support for the 302.

A cab and bed swap is probably easier than swapping drivetrains, especially if you have a 2 post lift or gantry crane. Regardless, I don't think the truck is likely worth that much work. Being that you are in Texas, I'd recommend selling both and buying a 4x4 351 with a clean body, which you can probably find pretty reasonably priced.

I was looking at it from a 100% stock standpoint. Not from an eventual motor-build standpoint. Valid argument but not sure it applies considering the situation. But swapping the cab over requires more than just moving the cab over, you have to move at the very least, the entire under hood harness with it. Ford changed the harness somewhere around that time too, im not sure if it was 94 or 95, but the main connector for the engine's harness over near the airbox changed to a big square plug somewhere around that time. Basically, it would complicate the swap is all. I mean, the cab harness is obviously gonna go with the cab, but the issue will fall in how the chassis harness connects, and if any rewiring will need done. Again, maybe none, as im not sure when Ford changed it.

Me personally, i dont have a lift or gantry crane which makes swapping a cab or bed kind of a pain to do (ive done it a few times now), but dropping and swapping a 2wd to a 4wd trans IMO is pretty easy and can be done in a day, far less time than it would take me to get two cabs off. I suppose swapping the TIB for the TTB will be a bit of a hassle though, and might balance the time out somewhat. Buying a crane just to do the job defeats the purpose if the goal is to sell off the 2rd truck once done. At that point id just do what you suggest, buy a 4wd 351 powered truck and be done with it.

 

[4RunnerGuy]

Thanks for all the input.

Truck prices around here are completely stupid. The idea of buying a 4x4 351 is cool. They don’t seem to exist and if they do, I feel like the asking price is nuts.

Here’s something that blows my mind.

Obviously ask price doesn’t always get met, but still...

 

[JR4X]

It is so crazy what new vehicle prices have done to the used market. My first thought was, why go through all that work for truck I used to be able to buy rust free for $2500 bucks any time. Quick look on Craigslist and there aren’t any $2500 dollar 1/2 ton 4x4’s any more. https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/bar/d/albuquerque-1988-ford-150-lariat-xlt/7186243437.html