Freshmeat
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2009
- Messages
- 146
- Reaction score
- 40
- Points
- 28
- Location
- Denham Springs, LA
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
Soon I'll be tackling the task of swapping most of the drivetrain from a 4x4 '93 donor into my 4x2 '94 truck. Thinking about the engine crossmember and such...
would it be easier to swap the bodies? Both are extra cabs so I'm not seeing why it wouldn't work. I know there's a lot of wiring going on with a body swap.
Either way has pros and cons:
Swap body:
Pro: - Clean up and rust proof the frame (not a huge deal down here in the south)
- No engine crossmember drama
- No cutting off every damn rivet on the suspension brackets
Con: - Having to go through the suspension anyway to replace all the bushings
- Lots of wiring to deal with
- I'll be PISSED if we drop the bed and scratch it up.
Swap drivetrain:
Pro: - No wiring of body swap
- Almost the entire drivetrain is coming out so would be easy to swap all the bushings
- Could clean up engine and rebuild shifter and such while it's out
Con: - Wouldn't get to rust proof the frame easily
- LOTS of work fighting with the engine crossmember
- Swapping in an electric 1354 only to swap it out for a manual unit ASAP
Anyone have more to add to either of these? I'm up in the air about which I'll do.
would it be easier to swap the bodies? Both are extra cabs so I'm not seeing why it wouldn't work. I know there's a lot of wiring going on with a body swap.
Either way has pros and cons:
Swap body:
Pro: - Clean up and rust proof the frame (not a huge deal down here in the south)
- No engine crossmember drama
- No cutting off every damn rivet on the suspension brackets
Con: - Having to go through the suspension anyway to replace all the bushings
- Lots of wiring to deal with
- I'll be PISSED if we drop the bed and scratch it up.
Swap drivetrain:
Pro: - No wiring of body swap
- Almost the entire drivetrain is coming out so would be easy to swap all the bushings
- Could clean up engine and rebuild shifter and such while it's out
Con: - Wouldn't get to rust proof the frame easily
- LOTS of work fighting with the engine crossmember
- Swapping in an electric 1354 only to swap it out for a manual unit ASAP
Anyone have more to add to either of these? I'm up in the air about which I'll do.