Frame differences?
Thread Starter
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 12
From: Lancaster, PA
Frame differences?
I'm hunting for a frame donor truck and was wondering about what differences in the frame configurations there are. Obviously 2wd and 4x4 are set up very differently (and xcab vs reg cab having different body mounts, wheel bases) but how about the difference between V8 and V6? If I find a V6 4x4 XCSB frame, can I just swap everything from my V8 4x4 XCSB right onto it? Motor/trans/torsion bars should all switch right over, right?
Mostly concerned that the cross members will be in same spots, mounts will line up, torsion bars will fit, front suspension is the same, etc.
Next question: if I get a 2wd frame to convert to solid axle 4x4, how different are the cross members for that? Probably have to fab something to support tcase? Rear should be easier to lift on 2wd because you can put axle below leafs and the shackles are reversed compared to 4x4 so you can use lift shackles to get really tall in the back without blocks.
Mostly concerned that the cross members will be in same spots, mounts will line up, torsion bars will fit, front suspension is the same, etc.
Next question: if I get a 2wd frame to convert to solid axle 4x4, how different are the cross members for that? Probably have to fab something to support tcase? Rear should be easier to lift on 2wd because you can put axle below leafs and the shackles are reversed compared to 4x4 so you can use lift shackles to get really tall in the back without blocks.
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
There's also flat nose / bubble nose; the bubble nose has a slightly different frame front (the flat nose can be boxed in for the core support.)
There ARE other differences, but basically same wheelbase swaps. (I think the differences probably have to do with the fuel filter changes, moving the combo valve and dropping the load sensitive proportioning valve, etc. Nothing that's hard to handle with a drill and/or just ignoring an extra nut or hole in the frame.)
Most of the cross members are the same 2WD/4WD from about the transmission back; forward, they change due to the torsion bars/coil springs.
But if in doubt - there ARE parts lists for all the 1st gen Dakotas available for download; links are in the FAQ post, about 40% of the way down or so. Pull them off and compare for part number differences.
Do be aware that just because the part number changes, it may or may not make a change in what you do; it could be as simple as "for 199x, we added true duals in the plans so the cross member has two humps for exhaust pipes" etc.
RwP
There ARE other differences, but basically same wheelbase swaps. (I think the differences probably have to do with the fuel filter changes, moving the combo valve and dropping the load sensitive proportioning valve, etc. Nothing that's hard to handle with a drill and/or just ignoring an extra nut or hole in the frame.)
Most of the cross members are the same 2WD/4WD from about the transmission back; forward, they change due to the torsion bars/coil springs.
But if in doubt - there ARE parts lists for all the 1st gen Dakotas available for download; links are in the FAQ post, about 40% of the way down or so. Pull them off and compare for part number differences.
Do be aware that just because the part number changes, it may or may not make a change in what you do; it could be as simple as "for 199x, we added true duals in the plans so the cross member has two humps for exhaust pipes" etc.
RwP
Thread Starter
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 12
From: Lancaster, PA
There's also flat nose / bubble nose; the bubble nose has a slightly different frame front (the flat nose can be boxed in for the core support.)
There ARE other differences, but basically same wheelbase swaps. (I think the differences probably have to do with the fuel filter changes, moving the combo valve and dropping the load sensitive proportioning valve, etc. Nothing that's hard to handle with a drill and/or just ignoring an extra nut or hole in the frame.)
Most of the cross members are the same 2WD/4WD from about the transmission back; forward, they change due to the torsion bars/coil springs.
But if in doubt - there ARE parts lists for all the 1st gen Dakotas available for download; links are in the FAQ post, about 40% of the way down or so. Pull them off and compare for part number differences.
Do be aware that just because the part number changes, it may or may not make a change in what you do; it could be as simple as "for 199x, we added true duals in the plans so the cross member has two humps for exhaust pipes" etc.
RwP
There ARE other differences, but basically same wheelbase swaps. (I think the differences probably have to do with the fuel filter changes, moving the combo valve and dropping the load sensitive proportioning valve, etc. Nothing that's hard to handle with a drill and/or just ignoring an extra nut or hole in the frame.)
Most of the cross members are the same 2WD/4WD from about the transmission back; forward, they change due to the torsion bars/coil springs.
But if in doubt - there ARE parts lists for all the 1st gen Dakotas available for download; links are in the FAQ post, about 40% of the way down or so. Pull them off and compare for part number differences.
Do be aware that just because the part number changes, it may or may not make a change in what you do; it could be as simple as "for 199x, we added true duals in the plans so the cross member has two humps for exhaust pipes" etc.
RwP
Thanks Ralph. I didn't even think of differences between years. I'm looking at a 1992 4x4 V8 XCSB tonight that hopefully has a clean frame. I guess I'll try to either swap that frame, or maybe keep that one together and swap the other 96 XCSB frame from my black Dak. It'll probably end up as a frankentruck with parts from several vehicles.
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
My 1991 Cougar currently has GM banjo bolts, because Ford discontinued theirs ...
My 1988 used a Saginaw steering column; last rebuild, the rebuilder told me he used a few S10 parts that were the identical part but with a GM part number not a Mopar part number.
My B-pillar speakers are replacements for Fords ...
RwP