M37 front and rear axel swap from donee truck

[Cpc993]

M37 swap complete running gear. Housing and brakes. I was looking for wheels but all these strange hubb bolt pattens and custom wheels. Then I though why not get a doner truck and swap everything including brakes. New drive lines and brake lines. Seems to fix the problem. Just as along as they are off the same truck.

Now my question is what's the best donee? I plan on using the truck as a truck. Not a off road monster. Something cool and different. Advice please.

[just me]

Some people will throw cold water on the idea stating a long string of 'problems'. Ignore it. You can, with enough 'serious want-to', do anything to your truck. My suggestion is to take a tape measure to the junk yard and compare widths and pumpkin center spacings and find something as close as possible. Also grab all the steering stuff of the donor as that, like as not, will be the most difficult part of the swap. You will need to be able to cut and grind off the old bracketry and fabricate new to mount the springs and such. You will probably want to upgrade the master cylinder and brake lines.
If I wasn't so set on originality for down the road restoration, I'd have already put this body on a newer Dodge or Ford chassis.

[Cpc993]

That's even a idea. Doing a body swap would be much better. So many great ideas on this site. I'll have to measure to see what comes close to the body dimmension.

[just me]

1967-72 Ford F250 SB is only 2" longer wheelbase.

[Cpc993]

I found some f250-350 in the the 2004-2010 range. Also most at scrap prices. Was thinking since I'm using larger wheels they could stick out and it would just add to the look. Even using duels in the rear would be nice.c some dab work and it would be really nice.

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Interesting thread. So if you were to do a body swap with say a 2010 Ford Pickup........how would you title it? To be considered a classic or historic vehicle you'd need to show them the M37 frame serial number, which won't be there now that it has a Ford frame. I'm sure this differs by state, so maybe that's not the case where you live. If they let you use the glovebox data plate to register it you may have a hard time selling it to someone in a state that won't recognize that data plate. I guess if it has to be inspected at any point there are going to be issues. I'm not trying to be a bummer, I'm just curious how you go about doing a body swap swap legally, as I've never seen it done.

thanks,
bob

[Cpc993]

It's a 1953 and you can just say it's not there anymore. You will also have to do so many mods just cut out the frame numbers on the ford. I'm sure it will need to be shortened. Have you done any measurements on the 2010 ford? I would be very interested to know.

[Jess]

A common body to frame swap is early '90s Dodge, shortened frame, power of your choice or whatever came with the frame. If you search in the Builders Blog you will find some interesting projects such as 'Building a Retro M37' Also, the axle swaps are frequently done, giving you modern braking and a larger choice of wheels and tires. Several such projects are also on that same Blog. Width issues can be overcome, the title situation varies with each State/ Province. Here in British Columbia, Canada, any major modifications would require an inspection and likely a new VIN would be assigned. If its done properly, an inspection is no big deal. Your location may vary but if you are going to all the trouble of doing a proper modification, a correct vehicle registration will have value for resale.