Swap body or drivetrain?

Freshmeat · 05-12-2012, 09:26 AM

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.

kryptonitecb · 05-12-2012, 11:37 AM

Body swap IMO, maybe a bit more work but sounds easier than an engine swap.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

94 lngbd · 05-12-2012, 12:42 PM

The bed only takes 2 people to remove & replace ,but the extended cabs are extremely heavy & should be done with a forklift or 4x4 posts & blocks with either Hi-lift jacks or a overhead rafter set up reinforced in a barn with a block & tackle chain hoist.

I bought a 98 extended cab & with out the back window,missing 1 side window & both doors already off It took 4 guys to lift it up & over the engine & put it onto my temporary flat bed.

It took 3 of us to get it off of my flatbed & onto my utility trailers side rails.

Even with the weight involved Im thinking it would be easier for the body swap then the cross member removal & replacement.

Freshmeat · 05-12-2012, 12:51 PM

I went out and inspected the crossmember. It doesn't look that bad... a few rivets and a couple welds to grind. Good excuse to buy an air chisel...

Freshmeat · 05-12-2012, 12:52 PM

Still in the air though. It's a ton of work either way.

fredbear1969 · 05-12-2012, 06:57 PM

im in the middle of a body swap right it really isnt all that bad ive been doing it for awhile but i really only work on it on sat. and sun im trying not to get in a hurry cause i tend to screw up when i do

**AllanD** · 05-13-2012, 10:15 AM

I've done both and I vote body swap.

AD

**Sunk** · 05-13-2012, 10:45 AM

I say body.

newbronco2 · 05-13-2012, 10:51 AM

Body, it's all plug and play, it's Alot easier than swapping the drive train.

scotts90ranger · 05-13-2012, 03:38 PM

I've done the body swap, and say it's most likely easier...

05-12-2012, 09:26 AM	#1
Freshmeat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Posts: 121 Vehicle Year: 1994 Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger STX I use this vehicle for: Project Papa J Rep Power: 18	Swap body or drivetrain? 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. __________________ 2012 JKU Sport, Deep Cherry, Auto, 3.73s, lots of upgrades. 1994 Ford Ranger STX, 3.0/M5OD, bone stock, under the knife. "Project Papa J"

05-12-2012, 12:42 PM	#3
94 lngbd Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lakewood,Wa Posts: 864 Vehicle Year: 1994 Vehicle Make: ford Vehicle Model: ranger xlt long bed I use this vehicle for: hauling ,camping,towing ,fun Rep Power: 24	The bed only takes 2 people to remove & replace ,but the extended cabs are extremely heavy & should be done with a forklift or 4x4 posts & blocks with either Hi-lift jacks or a overhead rafter set up reinforced in a barn with a block & tackle chain hoist. I bought a 98 extended cab & with out the back window,missing 1 side window & both doors already off It took 4 guys to lift it up & over the engine & put it onto my temporary flat bed. It took 3 of us to get it off of my flatbed & onto my utility trailers side rails. Even with the weight involved Im thinking it would be easier for the body swap then the cross member removal & replacement. Last edited by 94 lngbd; 05-12-2012 at 12:44 PM.

05-12-2012, 12:51 PM	#4
Freshmeat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Posts: 121 Vehicle Year: 1994 Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger STX I use this vehicle for: Project Papa J Rep Power: 18	I went out and inspected the crossmember. It doesn't look that bad... a few rivets and a couple welds to grind. Good excuse to buy an air chisel... __________________ 2012 JKU Sport, Deep Cherry, Auto, 3.73s, lots of upgrades. 1994 Ford Ranger STX, 3.0/M5OD, bone stock, under the knife. "Project Papa J"

05-12-2012, 12:52 PM	#5
Freshmeat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Posts: 121 Vehicle Year: 1994 Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger STX I use this vehicle for: Project Papa J Rep Power: 18	Still in the air though. It's a ton of work either way. __________________ 2012 JKU Sport, Deep Cherry, Auto, 3.73s, lots of upgrades. 1994 Ford Ranger STX, 3.0/M5OD, bone stock, under the knife. "Project Papa J"

05-13-2012, 10:15 AM	#7
AllanD RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: East-Central Pennsylvania Posts: 7,886 Vehicle Year: 1987... sorta Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger Supercab I use this vehicle for: Roadtrip Warrior Rep Power: 61	I've done both and I vote body swap. AD __________________ These two short sentences sum up the US government's views and ideology: 1) The government tells us NOT TO JUDGE ALL MUSLIMS because of a FEW lunatics. 2) The government ENCOURAGES US TO JUDGE ALL GUN OWNERS because of a FEW lunatics.

05-12-2012, 11:37 AM	#2
kryptonitecb Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,314 Vehicle Year: 1994 Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger I use this vehicle for: daily driver, trail ready Rep Power: 20	Body swap IMO, maybe a bit more work but sounds easier than an engine swap. Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

05-12-2012, 06:57 PM	#6
fredbear1969 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Vehicle Year: 1995/1996 Vehicle Make: ford Vehicle Model: ranger I use this vehicle for: daily driver Rep Power: 13	im in the middle of a body swap right it really isnt all that bad ive been doing it for awhile but i really only work on it on sat. and sun im trying not to get in a hurry cause i tend to screw up when i do

05-13-2012, 10:51 AM	#9
newbronco2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 21	Body, it's all plug and play, it's Alot easier than swapping the drive train.

05-13-2012, 03:38 PM	#10
scotts90ranger Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Salem Oregon Posts: 3,697 Vehicle Year: 1990 Vehicle Make: Ford Vehicle Model: Ranger I use this vehicle for: holding down the driveway Rep Power: 44	I've done the body swap, and say it's most likely easier... __________________ converted to 4x4, turbo'd the 2.3, 6" lift with 35's and 5.13 gears! Send e-mail instead of PM, box full...

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