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78 Ford crew cab conversion

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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 10:08 PM
  #46  
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From: BFE, Pennsyltucky
I hope all you Ford conversion guys have seen the '69 Ford Crew in the conversion forum. My hat is off to that guy, crazy fab work, and lots of time spent on the details. I didn't even know ford built a crew in '69.
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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 10:22 PM
  #47  
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I am guessing you did not mount the A/C compressor.

Does your Crew Cab have a narrow frame? My frame is about 4" narrower than standard. The bed mounting holes are 2" closer to center on each side. I can't mount an in frame fuel tank. Also I had to move the spring perches on the axle tubes when I replaced the rear end with a 14 bolt sterling.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 09:20 AM
  #48  
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From: northern utah
if yours early 77 hiboy w/ divorced t-case your frame is narrow in the rear. 771/2 - 79 3/4 tons had wider rear. get a bronco tank. it will fit in the rear frame rails. i do use the stock a/c mount. had to modify crossmember. good luck. 3 time the power and economy vs the 460. especially towing high elevation.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 09:53 AM
  #49  
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Thats the one(early 77 Canada built). Thanks for the Bronco tank advise. Never thought of that. I thought they were all the same. Too bad my local yards cut holes in the tanks. I can get the straps but will have to get a tank elsewhere.

Did you center the Cummins pan in the frame rails or did you offset to the driver side to allow clearance for the A/C compressor?
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 08:29 PM
  #50  
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From: northern utah
i found a new tank online. search for gas tanks. cost me a hundred bucks or so . 26 gallon capacity
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 03:44 PM
  #51  
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Here is my cross member cut and partially boxed. The stock Ford engine purch in the background had to be removed and I built my own purch and used Dodge motor mounts



Here it is all boxed.



Here is where you run into problems with the stock Dodge/Cummins AC mounting position. If you were to mount the AC compressor in the stock position, you would have to do some major frame/cross member modifications. The engine had to go back about 3" in this picture
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I used a cut off wheel and cut the stock AC mounting off. I have purchased an aux pully and a valve cover with the oil fill, and a plug to eliminate the stock oil fill. I am in the process of fabing a mount to install the AC compressor. If all goes as planned it will mount above the IP pump on my truck.

I have read where some guys are using a body lift, along with cutting the cross member to get the engine to fit. I didn't do a body lift and had no problems.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 08:57 PM
  #52  
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From: northern utah
looks simular to what i had to do . any pics of finished truck?
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 09:36 PM
  #53  
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I am thinking about making a new cross member about 6" forward of the existing one. Then box the frame after removing the old one. That way I could get the pan off to do an in frame if it was ever required. I am still unsure if I can get an electric fan, radiator, intercooler and a condenser between the engine and the grill.

Thanks for the information. Sorry I hijacked the thread.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:29 AM
  #54  
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From: northern utah
i fit it in mine but its tight. i trimmed the inside of grill but its not noticable. i had to redo hoodlatch and support from latch to bottom of rad. support.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #55  
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these old trucks are very capable properly set up for towing. i think towing is my favorite thing to do with it.
Attached Thumbnails 78 Ford crew cab conversion-p1020016.jpg  
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