Cab swap

[Kervin]

So I have a 2003 2wd single cab, on its second engine, and this one now has started consuming great amounts of oil, when this engine dies I plan to diesel swap this thing, but I would love to have 4wd as well. My question is if I get a supercab 4wd rolling frame, what will I need to modify, other than the rear cab mounts, to make the cab fit onto the 4x4 frame?
Don't worry about the bed, I might end up doing a flatbed anyway.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

What year is the 4x4 frame? A 98-11 frame would be the most correct.

Using a regular cab on an extended cab frame is going to require a custom bed of some sort.

Are you looking to stay relatively factory or are you trying to turn this into a lifted off-roader? What is your fabrication skill and ability? You’re talking about a major amount of work. Not trying to scare you, just trying to make sure you’re aware of the level of work that’s going to be required. I’ve been kicking around an idea of building a serious off-road truck and keep going back and forth on do I try to use a full-size frame or build a custom frame. I like the idea of a custom frame, but I don’t have a garage to build it in yet. Of course, I’m also not ready for that project either so I may have my garage up when I get to this.

 

[Kervin]

I had found a 99 4x4 frame. looking to keep it relatively factory, might do a mild lift. I'd say my fabrication skill pretty good. But I can't seem to understand why it's alot of work, just cab mounts. Everything should fit other than that, right?

 

[SenorNoob]

Granted I've never done it, but wouldn't a regular cab have all the mounts it needs on a supercab frame? There'd just be a weird space between the cab and bed, right? Were the rear cab mounts moved back or just two added?

 

[Kervin]

I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking, but I would assume the rear mounts are the only difference.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Unless the frame is shot... I'd be looking into a solid front axle swap.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I had found a 99 4x4 frame. looking to keep it relatively factory, might do a mild lift. I'd say my fabrication skill pretty good. But I can't seem to understand why it's alot of work, just cab mounts. Everything should fit other than that, right?

Swapping the cab is not a huge deal. Your proposed diesel engine and needing a custom bed will require a lot of skill. Since I don’t know your abilities and you didn’t really specify, I thought it prudent to ask since I’ve seen a lot of people propose doing stuff that’s way beyond their level in the past. Just making sure you know what you’re getting into.

 

[Kervin]

Well if the cab swap isn't hard, I'll probably do it, as far as the diesel engine, I think I can handle it, I'm a heavy diesel mechanic, and have assisted in a few other diesel swaps already. My uncle has put a few 4bt in rangers in the past, so I shouldn't have any issues there.

 

[maddyn]

mine is a second gen, but I put an extra cab body on a regular cab short box frame. It ended up that the rear cab mount sits about in the middle of the front leaf spring hanger for the rear axle. I just grafted the body mount into the spring hanger and called it good. To make the cab level it ends up with around a 3" body lift in the front, with no lift on the rear most body mount, due to how the frame rises up to go over the rear axle.

Little bit of fab work should make it happen

 

[Kervin]

I'm doing the opposite way around, but seems like it should be pretty easy.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Granted I've never done it, but wouldn't a regular cab have all the mounts it needs on a supercab frame? There'd just be a weird space between the cab and bed, right? Were the rear cab mounts moved back or just two added?

Pretty sure the two rear cab mounts moved back for the supercab and that’s it. No extra mounts, still 6 total for the cab.