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 Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger STX Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Project Papa J Posts: 121 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	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"
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05-12-2012, 11:37 AM	#2
kryptonitecb Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver, trail ready Posts: 990 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (1)	Body swap IMO, maybe a bit more work but sounds easier than an engine swap. Sent from the road while ignoring traffic
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05-12-2012, 12:42 PM	#3
94 lngbd Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lakewood,Wa Year: 1994 Make: ford Model: ranger xlt long bed Engine: 2.3l Used For: hauling ,camping,towing ,fun Posts: 824 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (1)	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.
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05-12-2012, 12:51 PM	#4
Freshmeat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger STX Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Project Papa J Posts: 121 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	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"
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05-12-2012, 12:52 PM	#5
Freshmeat Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger STX Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Project Papa J Posts: 121 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	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"
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05-12-2012, 06:57 PM	#6
fredbear1969 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Year: 1995/1996 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 2.3 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver Posts: 55 Rep Power: 3 iTrader: (0)	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
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05-13-2012, 10:15 AM	#7
AllanD RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: East-Central Pennsylvania Year: 1987... sorta Make: Ford Model: Ranger Supercab Engine: '93 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: Roadtrip Warrior Posts: 7,169 Rep Power: 47 iTrader: (18)	I've done both and I vote body swap. AD __________________ Gun Control - A theory espoused by some monumentally stupid people; who claim to believe, against all logic and common sense, that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from robbing, raping, kidnapping, torturing and killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them that they cannot own a gun.
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05-13-2012, 10:51 AM	#9
newbronco2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	Body, it's all plug and play, it's Alot easier than swapping the drive train.
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05-13-2012, 03:38 PM	#10
scotts90ranger Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Salem Oregon Year: 1990 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 2.3 Turbo Class: 4x4 Used For: holding down the driveway Posts: 2,648 Rep Power: 32 iTrader: (1)	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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