Full Crown Victoria Chassis Swap

[marvin2]

So I've had a build thread going for a couple of years in the Project Updates section...doing a CV IFS swap, CV rear, and mustang gas tank. Build has been going very slow as it seems I am having less and less free time.

As of lately, I have been playing with the idea of changing directions and doing a body swap onto a full Crown Victoria chassis instead. I somehow seem to think that this will give me a better end result in a potentially shorter period of time. I'd be looking to maintain the full drivetrain and EFI.

I've seen this done on a handfull of trucks, two in particular at the F100 Super Nationals earlier this year. I took some detailed photos, but I cannot seem to find a build thread online for one. Has anyone on the boards here done this / know someone that has? I'm just trying to sift out some of the fabrication / coordination elements.

From a financial stand point, it even seems to make sense. A running Crown Victoria can be sourced for $1,800 - $2,500. I would scrap the crown vic body and I figure I could sell my current chassis (with CV suspension), rebuilt 302, and C4 transmission to recoup most of this cost. With a full CV chassis, I would no longer have to worry about purchasing miscellaneous items like (fuel tank assembly unit, fuel lines, new driveshaft, brake lines, brake booster, master cylinder, etc.).

What do you guys think?

[vossy]

I think I remember seeing on the discovery channel not to long ago one of those auto restoration shows, did a full swap of a late model crown vic powertrain to a '67 F100 Body and Frame.

The truck, if I recall correctly, was pretty sweet..

[duaneo]

It's an interesting idea. Have you looked at the wheelbase? Is it the same? (this is totally from the cheap seats but) I'm thinking some playing with the steering column length and geometry might be necessary too. I see what you're saying about the overall effort though. It makes a measure of sense.

Tell you what, you get started on that, I'll watch from here.

Cheers,
Duane

[marvin2]

From the research I've done, the wheelbase is almost identical. The crown victoria is 1/4" shorter, so it's not even noticeable.

[BrockGrimes]

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/11045 ... assis.html

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... p?p=604130

[marvin2]

A lot of good photos and info in that link; I had been curious about the steering column, so it was good to see that.

Any other thoughts on this approach?...

[BrockGrimes]

theres 2 links above, those 2 are the only ones i've found but i'm sure there are others.

[jerrysworld]

Did you ever find any more information for this? I have a complete p71 sitting, all it needs is a wire harness. Also just got a 69 f250....hmmmm