Frame Swap - '95 Frame to '03 Body
 

Not sure if this fitsin the Fabrication Forum but guessing it is a close fit.

I have read a lot of post but I am still in the air on deciding on an early frame to fit my 03 body.

The question is and to someone that either has done it or KNOWS… will an ‘03 Reg Cab and Bed fit a ’95 Chassis/Frame ?

My thoughts and ideas: '95 Frames have a SAS Kit from Duff’s,'03 Frames do not.
The early frame may even be made of a better steel than the newer ones. (less of them rusting out).
I want to buy a ’95 Frame, add on Duff’s SAS 5” Lift Kit along with a D44/31 spline 8.8, add in the V-8, then swap the Cabs and Bed.
I know there is work in swapping the cab, maybe more than putting the V-8 in the 03 but I will not be using the 03 Computer.
There is a reason for not using the 03 Computer and engine wiring but I will not get into that here.

So I go back to my question, can I change the body of my 2003 over to a 1995 Frame ?

Thanks for any and all information on this.

Got an Engine (I built it called a Long Rod 302/5.0L), I have a the trans non-Ford and T/C - non-Ford, got the axles too; just need the SAS/Lift Parts stuff and engine adapter/headers for the 95 frame, oh ya a frame to put it all on...

Anything is possible but if you are able to rebuild axles and do a motor swap I would think you could do an SAS on an 03 frame. It seems like a waste of money and effort for an older frame.

If I'm not mistaken I think they changed cab lengths. I know that true for the extended cab at least.

Yes they added 2" in 98.

the point is to be able to use the vin off of the 95 to avoid emissions with the 302

yep, about 3" behind the doors in 98. so the 95 frame would be too short to use. aren't the 98+ frames boxed as well, where gen 3's are only boxed to the fire wall.

I guess he does know everything.

Just thinking on alternatives to the emissions laws here in MA and there are more parts available for the older frames than the newer ones.

Duff's has all of the parts needed to SAS a 95 frame but not an 03.

Added:
I didn’t think of the Cab length change and how that would reflect in the frame, another idea out the window.

Thanks for the comments.

isnt the wheelbase the same though. like within half an inch or so?

not for the reg cabs. cab grew 3" behind the doors, beds are still the same length. frame has to grow as well.

I want to say the 95 is 108" and the 03 is 111”, guess that is the 3” we are talking about.

I guess I will have to look at a different route, I want an OEM Stance with 33/35” tires, I will be going for a lower ride height not one of these 7” lifts.

Still working on it !

You can still get the duff kit and modify it enough to work if you want a kit.

I guess the easiest way is to keep the 03 frame and mod it...

Thanks for the input, all !

Finally took the time to check the wheel bases of each vehicle series.

2003 - 111.5”

1995 - 107.6”

That $ucks !
So I am stuck with using the POS Frame that I have, adding the Steering Box ( Toy I have heard) and doing it that way or don’t do the SAS.

Thanks for the input.

I believe in someone excreting a brick of gold before you SAS'ing the E4 lol

Josh40601 he has a 2001 I think, putting on a 93 frame. The fuel tank mounting is different. Not sure what other issues he may have head. i think it's still in process.

Now that my 5.0 swap is good I am looking back into an sas on my e4. The race is on!

haha i'm just giving scrambler crap:biggthump

Its Grev.

LTR.

Been thinking on this, using the existing frame is easier but the rusting problems on these frames make me a little leery.

Yes P.C. it would take a while like everything else I do, a long time deciding and a long time getting parts and a long time getting it done.

No racing me, I am in SLOW MODE, no rushing anything anymore.

I got my mirrors, need to get them on and the power in the door, then the Audio stuff.
Too many project for the truck and the House/Yard, maybe if I cloned Pedro.

Isn't the VIN number usually attached to the body?

Yes its on a plate on the cab, But once the dash is out you can drill them out and swap them. And as soon as you explain that the trucks are mostly universal from 93-11 people just think you did a front end swap

^^^^
and on the frame , sometimes in two places.
One is located above the passenger rear axle and the other I am not sure but thinking around the heater box area.

Really? ive never seen that on older trucks. Maybe on newer stuff but Ive had my 350 down to the frame and nothing like that. Granted it was a 95

My ’88 Ranger had “something” near the heater box on the frame that the DMV checked before ok’g the registration, again not sure what it was but I thought the inspector told me it was a S/N.

Will have to check them out.

Tough to say, In all fairness my 350 is above 8500 GVWR so it falls under a whole new rule book