donor truck question

[tazzman68]

I just found out that a friend of mine has a 79 F150 w/ 302 and a 3spd OD tranny. This truck used to belong to my buddy's dad, and this thing used to be really quick. Now it knocks and smokes, and he said I could have it, just get it off his property.
My question is, will this truck work for the disk brake swap, and what about the rearend, I know it is a 9", and so is my 67'. I would like to know ahead of time if I'm going to be able to use more than the motor core, and tranny.

[FORDification]

The entire front-end of the '70 will bolt right up to your '67....most definitely get it, since it's free! The rearend won't work...since the back half of the frame is 4" wider on the '79, the mounting brackets and shock brackets will be positioned farther outboard from the center.

I don't suppose it's got a tilt column, does it? That would be a major plus.

Heck, I'd drag it home, keep what you want and E-bay the rest!

[tazzman68]

Ok, so the front end of the 79' WILL work? What about the drop out? If I am switching to a standard trans, I will need to change out my gears, and what about the pedal assembly? Can I take this from the 79' also? Just trying to figure out how much I will still need to find, to make my truck the way I want it.

[FORDification]

Yes, the frontend WILL work....I've got a '79 front end under my '67 right now too.

The rearend's third member in the '79 will fit into your 67's housing, but you might not be able to use it, since it's going to probably be a 31-spline setup and your '67 should have a 28-spline. In addition, the 79's axles themselves will be too long to fit into the '67s housing.

However, just to be on the safe side, you might want to count the axle splines in each. You might get lucky and have a spline-count match...but don't hold your breath.

I know the pedals themselves will work, but I'm not sure about the pedal bracket assembly. I've never checked into that.

[tazzman68]

Oh, and what about the brake booster, and proportioning valve? will all that blot right on? Still haven't got ahold of my buddy, to find out if it has a tilt wheel.

[1968Ranger]

How Timely, I was going to ask a similar question. The guy I got the two f-600 panels from has a 79 f100 with no motor. I asked him about it and he said he would part with it. We did not discuss price. I know I wont be as lucky as you Tazz, What is a GOOD to fair price to get the Front end on a 79?
Thanks
Mike

[FORDification]

Oh, and what about the brake booster, and proportioning valve? will all that blot right on? Still haven't got ahold of my buddy, to find out if it has a tilt wheel.

The brake booster will bolt right on. The '79 should have a proportioning valve bolted to the back of the front crossmember. You'll have to do a little brakeline bending/flaring to get it hooked up, but it's actually very easy to do. You MIGHT be able to get away with using the stock lines, but to be honest with you, I'd have to advise against that. It's not worth the risk, IMHO.

How Timely, I was going to ask a similar question. The guy I got the two f-600 panels from has a 79 f100 with no motor. I asked him about it and he said he would part with it. We did not discuss price. I know I wont be as lucky as you Tazz, What is a GOOD to fair price to get the Front end on a 79?
Thanks
Mike

Mike: I'd say anything under $100 is a good price. These trucks are a dime a dozen too, so if he wants any more than that, just pass on it and find another.

[1968Ranger]

Kieth,
I re-read what I wrote in the quote of mine. I stated the Front end. However what I meant to write was for the entire truck minus the engine. Does $100 dollars still apply.
What is the best year truck to be after? Something you can get the most off of that is usable. ie. brakes PS PB etc....
Thanks again.
Mike

[FORDification]

Well, I'd say it's less likely you'll get the whole truck for $100 (or less), but I've known many people who have...including myself. I had a buddy with a couple of these sitting in a field behind his house, and he let me rob whatever parts of them I wanted, which is where I got the front end that's currently under mine.

To buy the whole truck from a salvage yard for the front end pieces probably would be out of your price range, since the owner is thinking what all the individual parts are worth. You're best bet would be to find the most rusted-out hulk of a truck, maybe one that's been pieced together with duct tape....the brakes and suspension pieces will probably still be good, but at least the owner won't be thinking he's got a gold mine. If the guy who's got the parts truck you're looking at isn't a salvage yard owner and just a regular guy, you might just tell him that all you're interested in is the front end and brake components, and see if he'll deal. I guess the way I look at it is: the parts I want are worth a certain price....if I can get the whole truck for that price, take what I want and discard the rest, that's fine. If he's asking more for the truck than the parts you need are worth, then just find a different one. They're definitely NOT in short supply.

[willowbilly3]

It isn't too hard to put the 79 rear end under the 67, just cut the spring pads off and reweld them. Use some kind of level and angle marker (or a pinion angle gauge if you have access to one) to check the pinion angle on your old rear end before you remove it, with it sitting on level ground. Loosely clamp the new rear end in with a new set of saddles. They can be had from any trailer supply outlet for just a few bucks, or you may re-use your old ones if they are removed without destroying them. Set the pinion angle and weld them in then tighten up the bolts and hook up the brakes ect. Now your back wheels are where they belong instead of tucked way in and you will probably heave a little better brakes than the 67 had, and a rear end that is easier to find parts for.
Also if you are looking for a donor vehicle, one with good steering linkage will save you a sizable chunk of change over one that they are slopped out. Pretty sure the old tie rods won't work but Keith has that covered in the tech article.