Difference in frame length/width crewcab vs supercab

[crewcablover]

Since we are talking about frame thickness. I thought I would ask, what is the difference in frame length and width, with the crewcab and supercab 1972 and older? With the longbed, standard bed and shortbed. Also if anybody knows about the 1978 and 1979 Ford F250 that we all use alot of parts from. I would like to know the length and width on these trucks to.

I guess I need to know what trucks would work the best for me to put my 1972 F250 4X4 Crewcab on? I want to have all the bells and whistle that the 1978 and 1979 has. Mine has a long bed now, but I would make it a short bed if I have to.

Then the next thing is, if anybody know where I can find the frame I need?

I hope to get a shop rented in the next month to start working on my truck. I hate to rent a place, but I want my truck running and I don't have the room at my house.

Thanks for all the help from all!!!!

[FORDification]

There are only two basic cab styles....standard and crewcab. The other flavors (extended cab, Supercab, etc.) didn't come until the next generation. There were variations of the standard cab, such as cowl-and-chassis, but they were just cut-down versions of the standard cab.

- '67-'72 2WD/4WD all narrow (don't know how far back that goes, 34" wide was an SAE standard for all trucks back then)
- '73-'79 all 2WD narrow front, wide rear
- '73-'79 F100 4WD narrow front, wide rear
- '73-'77.5 F250 4WD all narrow
- '77.5-'79 F250 4WD narrow front, wide rear

Here are some wheelbase measurements for Ford trucks over the years:

1953-1955
F100 1/2-ton - 110" WB
F250 3/4-ton - 118" WB
F350 3/4-ton - 130" WB
(F350s were still classified as 3/4 ton trucks up through '55.)

1956-1960
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 110" WB
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 118" WB
F250 3/4-ton - 118" WB
F350 1-ton - 130" WB

1961-1963
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 114"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 122"
F250 3/4-ton - 122"
F350 1-ton - 132"

1964
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 114"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 128"
F250 3/4-ton - 128"
F350 1-ton - 132"

1965-1966
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 115"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 129"
F250 3/4-ton - 129"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 147"
F350 1-ton - 132"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 152"

1967-1968
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 115"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 131"
F250 3/4-ton - 129"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 147"
F350 1-ton - 132"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 152"

1969-1970
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 115"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 131"
F250 3/4-ton - 131"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 147"
F350 1-ton - 135"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 159.5"

1971
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 115"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 131"
F250 3/4-ton - 131"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 159"
F350 1-ton - 135"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 159.5"

1972
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 115"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 131"
F250 3/4-ton - 131"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 159"
F350 1-ton - 135"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 159"

1973
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 161"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 165.5"

1974
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab LWB 6-ft bed - 140"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab LWB 8-ft. bed - 155"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton Supercab - 140"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 140"
F350 1-ton Platform/Stake - 161"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"

1975
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab 6-ft bed - 140"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab 8-ft. bed - 155"
F150 1/2-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Platform/Stake - 161"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 155"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"

1976
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab - 155"
F150 1/2-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 155"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"

1977
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab - 155"
F150 1/2-ton - 133"
F150 Supercab - 155"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 155"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"

1978-1979
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab - 155"
F150 1/2-ton - 133"
F150 Supercab - 155"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton Supercab - 155"
F250 3/4-ton Crewcab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 155"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"
_____________________________________

EDIT - The above statistics were obtained directly from the 'Standard Catalog of Ford Trucks 1905-2002', and though I have no reason to doubt the figures, I have found other discrepancies in this book, so.... Just thought I'd better list my source for the above numbers, for CYA purposes.

[crewcablover]

Thanks for the good infor Keith......Would a 1972 crewcab fit/work on a 1978/79 frame? Also would it matter if it was a crewcab or supercab? Since there are the same length.... Thanks

[FORDification]

I don't know. There would be some fabrication involved, obviously. Since the wheelbase of your '72 crewcab would be different from the '78-'79, the rear wheels aren't going to be centered in the rear wheelwells, unless you were planning on using a flatbed, and then it becomes a moot point.

What "bells and whistles" were you wanting to add to your '72? The whole front end will bolt right up, giving you disc brakes and power steering (if needed). About the only other perk I can think of is an in-frame fuel tank, but I think it would be a LOT easier to simply adapt that to your existing chassis, as opposed to swapping bodies.

[crewcablover]

Well I have a issue.....The guy I bought it from, told me the the frame had been added to, so it would fit a long bed. Its not that I don't want a long bed, it's I'm wondering if its going to hold where is was welded. If anybody knows anything about how I would make it stronger, please let me know.

I was going to do the 78/79 swap, then I thought I had heard that you could just move the cabs and do the same thing. I will start looking for a donor truck NOW!!! Thanks for all the info.....

[FORDification]

I suppose you should sent a picture of the framework, so we can get an idea of what's been done. If you're worried about strength though, you can always just weld and/or bolt some plates on either side of the frame.

Anything will fit if you want it badly enough and have the money and know-how.

[crewcablover]

That is true a big enough hammer and some duck tape!!!!! I will get some pics on this weekend. Thanks Keith

[390Nut]

1974
F100 1/2-ton SWB - 117"
F100 1/2-ton LWB - 133"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab LWB 6-ft bed - 140"
F100 1/2-ton Supercab LWB 8-ft. bed - 155"
F250 3/4-ton - 133"
F250 3/4-ton Supercab - 140"
F250 3/4-ton CrewCab - 155"
F350 1-ton - 137"
F350 1-ton Supercab - 140"
F350 1-ton Platform/Stake - 161"
F350 1-ton CrewCab - 166.5"

Hrmmmm.....

Strange how ideas suddenly pop into our heads, isn't it?