So, I finally found myself a decent '03 (with a plow). I expect to pick it up this week, once the paperwork and plates are in.
It's in overall good shape and low mileage (considering the price) but the frame has deeper scaling than I'm comfortable with. I expect it to make it through this winter (and possibly a few more) but I want to get on top of this before I have to.

Given my complete lack of welding skill (and my unwillingness to spend a small fortune on a truck that is basically a driveway plow, hardware store runabout, and emergency wheels when my daily driver constant work-in-progress hotrod is laid-up for extended periods) I figure my best bet would be to keep an eye out for a donor wreck with a solid frame.

Do I need to stick to just 10th gen F150's, or will other years be a clean swap (without welding)?
Will any year/model 10th gen work, or are there subtle but annoying differences in the frames?

Thanks!



*fixed to remove the reference to Explorers, after doing a bit more research. I had originally read they used the same chassis. That is obviously not correct.

 

welp, at least we know that an '03 will fit on a '97 frame eh?

 

 

Wait… Does the ‘97-‘02 Expedition share the same frame as the ‘97-‘03 F150?
I’m getting conflicting info here…

 

front half yes. Rear section no. They use a 5 link setup.

 

Ooo… That could be fun! I plan on building a custom bed, anyway. I wonder what the parts mashup would look like. Would the F150 powertrain drop into the full frame?

 

Which VIN will you use?

Seems like your dilemma will be finding an undamaged frame in a truck that isn't worth keeping. You must be in the NE if you're looking at a snowplow and rusted out frame. That means they'll all be rusted out unless they've been garaged, and if they've been garaged they're keepers. Unless you head south then you'll be paying shipping. Otherwise you're looking for a freshly wrecked garage-kept truck in the wrecking yard. Good luck.

 

All good points, but I have all winter to look for a donor. I can also scour the junkyards online for a rolling chassis, if I know my vehicle/model limitations.

Plus, my brother is in Georgia. I can have him look at trucks and freight one up to me – or, if it’s drivable at all, one of my nephews can run it up.

 

The one that goes with the cab/engine. Seems the least hassle.

 

I’ll likely end up having to pay someone to do a weld-up (or finally find the time to learn to weld) but I think this is an interesting, fun option to at least explore.