Crown Vic Frame Swap Debate
Posted: November 23, 2016, 8:06 pm
So I've been thinking about my '61 Uni short bed. The 351W that came with the truck is out of a '79 LTD and heavily smogged, it turns over but no idea on the miles, or if it even runs, compression check and leak down came back so-so, I'd want a C6 to bolt to it but finding a core and getting it rebuilt would be about $1k-ish. The springs, bushings, etc. are tired and need replaced, pretty much the only thing this truck has going for it is a great clean, rust free body (except for the bed).
Then comes the idea of a Panther fame swap (most likely P71) we all know the benefits of going this route, and I don't mind the wide stance. Plenty of wheel options from Mustangs. The only real downside to me is the bump in the bed (my bed is already cut out due to chasing rust). But it wouldn't bother me enough to go the route of using the explorer rear on my frame. I don't plan to tow much with the truck, maybe a small camper (sub 2,500lbs) I've been doing hours upon hours of research on this, also had some back a fourth with Nathan from Nathan's Garage on youtube on the subject and it seems to me the wiring would be the real bug-a-boo. I'd want the dash all to be stock, basically strip the Vic loom down to run wires, ABS, and Fuel delivery system, then bring the truck wires into the Vic fuse box. Nathan helped me a little but he said he's got a friend doing most all his wiring on his tuck and didn't have a lot of info on how he went about it.
I do plan to drive the truck a lot, some road trips here and there, and the idea of the reliability of the Panther frame and running gear along with the fuel mileage is very tempting. Also it seems this is a relatively cost effective way to get a great running and driving truck. The smaller 4.6L already comes with higher HP and torque ratings than my smogged '79 351W was new.
So like I said, the wiring is what has me a little gun shy. The wheelbase is almost bang on for the uni short beds. I've searched here on the subject and found FoodStick's LTD frame swap, (What a build BTW ...wow, great looking truck) but he used a old 300ci so the wiring was much less of an issue for him.
Just curious if any of you have tried or completed the wiring side of this kind of project. Any info would be very much appreciated! (Sorry for the long winded post, just wanted to give as much info as possible and give you an idea of where I am at)
Then comes the idea of a Panther fame swap (most likely P71) we all know the benefits of going this route, and I don't mind the wide stance. Plenty of wheel options from Mustangs. The only real downside to me is the bump in the bed (my bed is already cut out due to chasing rust). But it wouldn't bother me enough to go the route of using the explorer rear on my frame. I don't plan to tow much with the truck, maybe a small camper (sub 2,500lbs) I've been doing hours upon hours of research on this, also had some back a fourth with Nathan from Nathan's Garage on youtube on the subject and it seems to me the wiring would be the real bug-a-boo. I'd want the dash all to be stock, basically strip the Vic loom down to run wires, ABS, and Fuel delivery system, then bring the truck wires into the Vic fuse box. Nathan helped me a little but he said he's got a friend doing most all his wiring on his tuck and didn't have a lot of info on how he went about it.
I do plan to drive the truck a lot, some road trips here and there, and the idea of the reliability of the Panther frame and running gear along with the fuel mileage is very tempting. Also it seems this is a relatively cost effective way to get a great running and driving truck. The smaller 4.6L already comes with higher HP and torque ratings than my smogged '79 351W was new.
So like I said, the wiring is what has me a little gun shy. The wheelbase is almost bang on for the uni short beds. I've searched here on the subject and found FoodStick's LTD frame swap, (What a build BTW ...wow, great looking truck) but he used a old 300ci so the wiring was much less of an issue for him.
Just curious if any of you have tried or completed the wiring side of this kind of project. Any info would be very much appreciated! (Sorry for the long winded post, just wanted to give as much info as possible and give you an idea of where I am at)