Arachnyd

I'm in the planning stages of a new project, dubbed '7906 Bronco. Basic idea is to drop a 1979 Bronco shell onto a shortened 2006 F150 chassis/drivetrain. Already have the Bronco in the driveway and have a repairable 2006 F150 picked out for the donor. I thought I was all set, but realized tonight that I'm missing a few critical measurements that could make or break the project...

The donor truck is a 5.4L 4x4 supercab with 6.5' box (144.5" wheel base). So ,measurements from a 2004+ F150 4x4 with the same wheel base would be ideal. But, I should be able to adjust the measurements for a different wheel base, as long as I know what the wheelbase is...

Anyway, the measurements I'm looking for are:

• Driveshaft length from u-joint to u-joint

• Length of straight section of frame rails underneath cab - I need to get the wheel base down to 104", so things are going to get ugly if there isn't 40"+ of straight frame rail to work with...

TIA,
Greg
'7906 Bronco

JohnC

I would help but my 08 is a SC w/5.5' bed. Good luck and post up some pics of your "fronco" when it is completed.

Arachnyd

Measurements from any 04-08 F150 4x4 should scale, as long as I know the wheelbase the measurements came from. I'm pretty sure the front half of the frame rails are identical for all trucks. The wheelbase variation all occurs in the straight section of rails under the cab.

Thanks again,
Greg

NGM

If you have a doner truck why do you need measurements from other trucks???

Arachnyd

The donor isn't mine yet and is still 70 miles away with no one around to measurement it I've already agreed to buy it, but that's before I realized this might be an issue. I need to know quickly if the project is even feasible with an F150 donor. The other possibility is an Expedition donor... I'll probably just have to hit a dealership lot today.
Greg

NGM

Why not put the motor and tranny and rearend in the Bronco?? I have done some frame/body swapping. It can go smooth as silk or be a total bastard and not have the look you want in the end.

NGM

BTW.. Whats wrong with the doner truck? Is the front end smashed???

Arachnyd

The truck will be a street vehicle. I want the best ride I can get, so modern chassis and suspension it is. Plus, I truly think it will be less effort to swap the shell than the drivetrian...

The donor truck I've got picked out received a hard hit to the side that rolled it over. Frame is completely straight and untouched.

NGM

What I am wondering, if you get the truck. Is the front bumper bent up? If not does it have the fog lights in it?

Arachnyd

Ah. The bumber is perfect with fog lights. Unfortunately, it's already spoken for.