Has anyone done this?

[dgarner08]

Has anyone swapped a ranger body on a full size bronco or f150 frame? I wanted to do a sas but i saw Brian Swanson's truck in the picture galleries and i started thinking that it would be just as good (i think...correct me if i am wrong) to swap the ranger body on the full size frame. I would use a 1970 something frame with a 1984-1988 ranger body... Brian used a 1985 4x4 ranger and a 1979 4x4 bronco frame.

[JohnnyO]

DaveR had a project like that going, shoot him a PM.

Guy who used to run a body shop near me had a Ranger body on an early Bronco frame, as I recall he still had to shorten the frame a few inches. It looked more normal because the axles aren't so wide.

[Todd]

My buddy built a full size bronco with a Ranger Ex cab and tube bed. Still dont have pics of it. Frame was 80's somthing with a 92 cab.

[exbass94]

I remember someone put an Explorer body on an F150 frame. Looked really sweet, don't remember who it was though.

[BDAB]

I remember someone put an Explorer body on an F150 frame. Looked really sweet, don't remember who it was though.

if you are talking about the green gen1 explorer, that was a 79 F-250 with a 300 six ...... which is why he did it. I was easier than swapping in the 300 six.

[samsonitesamsonite]

I want an I6 in my ranger.... yeah DaveR did that exact swap of a ranger body on a fullsize frame. I believe he used it for his plow truck.

[BDAB]

I want an I6 in my ranger.... yeah DaveR did that exact swap of a ranger body on a fullsize frame. I believe he used it for his plow truck.


If you do that i want your 4.0L. 5spd, computer, t-case .... ect.......

[Loanranger]

A little off topic, but I put a 79 Datsun body on a 76 Ramcharger chassis. Probably the hardest part was the steering, just double U-joint it and you won't have any problems.

[Dave R]

I believe he used it for his plow truck.
I USE it as a plow truck. Present tense, as in it's still alive and kicking. I really need to get back to work on it someday.


It's not an overly complex swap to do but, it does require considerable labor. Reasonable welding skills are a definite plus.

Mine is a '90 short bed Ranger, a former street truck of the month here at TRS :haha: , on a '79 Bronco's running gear.

[dgarner08]

Could i use a F150 frame and running works under a 1985 regular cab ranger. I would put a flat bed on it just to simplify things a bit. also i would probably shorten the frame...is a older bronco and F150 about the same width? If i could put my ranger on a F150's running works i could have a little ranger with 8-12 inch lift with a 400 or 460:shok::yahoo: