How do you only have 70k subs?!? Seriously under rated channel. Especially considering the amount and quality of information you put out.

My truck is my shop truck, so it’s a rusty beater. I chase parts all over for my other junk so I want this thing to drive excellent. I don’t build stuff for other people, or to sell. I actually end up cutting them up for other projects if I get tired of them. I always get them cheap, and have maximum fun on a budget. My F-100 will be getting the CV front end swap, and a linked rear with coils, and airbags to assist when I’m Hauling a load, or towing the jet boat...or that occasional ungentlemanly pile of bricks. Good show man!

Great points Jeff, as always, and you're not wrong. I did the CV swap on my truck, but... I drive a modern F250 diesel for truck duties and I have the F100 for fun. It has taken me years to repair all the rust and find all the parts I've needed but truck was a retired farm truck and needed massive repairs anyway. It has been expensive and has not been particularly easy, but I would do it again. I had to change the rear axle and replace the springs in the rear to get it to all work. I had to C notch the frame and wouldn't use that truck to tow now. Basically, the F100 is about as useful as my Harley but it keeps me dry in the rain. If it were my only truck, I wouldn't do it.

Great episode. Thanks for confirming what I've been telling people for years. If you're going to use a truck as a truck, twin I-beam is tough to beat. To clarify one point, Ford only stopped using the twin I-beam in 1996 in the F150. It continued in use until 2014 in Econoline vans, and through the 2016 model year in F250s and 350s. Not many automotive design features have had a 51-year run essentially unchanged.

Agreed, don’t cut your truck up! I have a ‘67 F100 with DJM beams. They work great if you’re satisfied with a 3 inch drop, but I’d like to be a little lower. I plan to use explorer coils (2inch lower) then pie cut and modify the boxed steel part of the beams to correct the castor. This will yield a 5 inch drop without hacking up the truck, and can be put back to stock if desired. The rear will require a c notch, but that’s minor in comparison. Another issue is brakes, the ‘73-‘79 disk brakes widen the front track, making it hard to tuck in the tires. Wilwood makes a disk brake kit that keeps the stock track width and gives dual bolt pattern 5x5 1/2 and 5x4 1/2.

Seeing how these old Ford trucks are getting harder to find, as a purest, there's no freaking way I'd put one of my Crown Vick front ends on my classics! But does look cool all lower... But I like climbing into either of my 72's the way Ford built them... And the 94' bench seat swap was stupid easy :) Thanks for that video!

Jeff... Thanks for the great explanation. I, too use my '66 F100 as a "working" truck, so no Crown Vic front end for me.

Actually the twin i beam front end is still being used today on even brand new 2wd trucks. My 04 super duty has it. Though an updated version still the same concept.

Absolutely great video. I have a 71 and was thinking about it but i am going to stay with the original chassis.

Very helpful analysis of the issues. Thought of doing this but I use my truck from time to time to haul stuff. Great video thanks

I used a QA1 front end. fits like a glove and actually fits better than a crown vic, more or less just bolts on, all the parts are brand new. Yes it costs more, but I think it's worth it.

it is a lot of work.. I'm almost done with mine. this is all very well said

I was on the fence about doing this to my 65, leaning toward not . Since I still use it for putting things in the back sometimes, this was good info.

Good video, tons of great insight and info. I AGREE.Get a whole crown vic for 2-4 k here in WA state. 40-80k miles. Get a Detective car if possible. use as much as you can. I personally did several crown vic.front on short bed nice gentlemen trucks. Wouldnt onna long bed work truck. Maybe.for a rat rod....maybe. I like the explorer 8.8 inch rear end for the back end....rear disc b4akes....and.8.8 Inch limited slips in many usually 3.55 gears in my experience as well. Also I like the watts linkage from the crown vic. Way better than sway bar set up only or the old simple pan hard bar.....just thought i would add that. Anyhow. I am subscribing to this channel and will keep learning and sharing my mad cap shade tree experiences. Lol thank you again for the knowledge and putting things in perspective.

Great information. I felt like Johnny Carson....”I did not know that”

You can go with the Crown Vic front and a narrowed Crossmember, but it also requires a new width rack. I believe they use a Lincoln Mark VIII rack. It allows Classic style wheels.

Great video. I'm restoring a 78' Bronco and trying to decide what motor to drop in (budget minded). You should do a video on selecting an engine. Rebuild original? Big bigger? Go completely different? Maybe a brake down between different ones? Pros and cons? Thanks!

That was interesting. Sounds like a lot of work and when ur done it can’t really be used like a truck anymore. Nobody is gonna get their meat hooks on my marauder frame cause it’s getting bolted back onto the car soon

Great info, very balanced. 👍 I’ve lost count of the number of KZfaq videos I’ve watched doing this crown Vic swap. I looked at the mustang 2 and decided to go the crown Vic. Oh, forgot to mention I’m in Australia and have a 1965 custom cab, straight of the farm in USA. All patina and original. After a few months of contemplating buying an ex interceptor and shipping it out, I just purchased two marquis fronts and decided to buy local ford falcon xr8 for the running gear etc. the only reason was local parts. 260kw, 5 speed and limo diff. Waiting on a few more parts to consolidate the freight then shipping. Let the fun begin.🤪

I did the complete frame swap on my '65 F100 short bed....wasn't that difficult and it looks great as the saying goes if it's your truck do what you like

I did what your doing with the front disc brake swap on my 68.

Finally someone to tell me why, and I agree, I'm sticking with the best front truck suspension ever made, Twin I Beam

absolutley love this great content and answers alot of questions. thanks so much

Great video! Very informative!

On my 67 F-100 I thought about doing the Crown Vic. thing, but I went with DJM Dream Beams and their shackle kit in the rear. If you do the Crow Vic. swap for the rear end you can swap in a Ford Explorer rear end. It is pretty much a bolt in deal. You need to move the spring perch hole over I think a 1/4 to 3/8's of an inch and if you buy the right one you get factory disc brakes.

Love your channel, you have great subject matter. I just painted my '72 Mustang coupe and after I'm done with the cut and buff job I will replace all the seals. Have you done a video on replacing the weather seals that I can look back on? Thank you

I have a 68 f-100 I did QA front and back, love it

Your right Jeff, are you going to build a street truck or do you want to haul firewood ? We're talking street trucks so, I've LS swapped a bunch of C10's, even did a late model 5.7 Hemi in an old Power Wagon but my favorite is the Crown Vic swap in a F100. I've done the complete frame under F100 sheet metal which is easier than it sounds as long as you have some fabrication skills and that's the rub. Fabrication skills, don't have 'em ? Don't do this job but if you have a little welding skills you can do this easy. Just go to the Pick & Pull and find your Crown Vic, a lot don't have engines and chop off the frame behind the strut mounts and take the front frame clip home. I got mine for $250. There are steel kits all over the net and Ebay for the installation, $150-$180. The hardest part is pulling the engine, tranny and front sheet metal then cleaning all the garbage off the frame rails. Lots of grinder and torch work. Measure twice and weld the kit in and put everything back together with your choice of engine and tranny, sounds simple ,right ? Well it's not a weekend project and takes me around 2 weeks of steady work and yes, you do need to do something with the rear end. Is it worth it, you betcha', the last one I did (don't yell) I put a junk yard 6L LS in with a Turbo 400 tranny I had sitting around. The truck was a short box already and it is the ultimate sleeper and a ton of fun to drive, in fact it's my son's daily driver in the summer.

Two things, first it'd be a damn shame to part out a Marauder. The word you're looking for is Panther. 2003+ Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Lincoln town car. High mileage Town Cars are still practically free these days. Still a shame to cut them up, the Panther is the best platform built in the last 30+ years, though the rack cars built 2003+ don't ride quite as nice as the previous generations. Second thing, as car folks that like to get the details right, the term "Donk" specifically refers to the 1971-1976 Chevy Impala. anything else is just a raised car on big wheels. For the folks in to "Donks" the distinction is rather important.

Explained very well !

Mr. Ford, you had me throughout the entire episode, with great facts and figures. Then the subject of money came up... I sometime feel like I'm the only guy who doesn't look at the resale value of My project in order to decide how to build it. I know going in that I will never get to same money out, if I did decide to sell, then what I put in. My opinion... Good luck on the subscribers. Thanks.

Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you !

I CV swapped my 72 F100 XLT short bed. It was fairly easy except for the trailing arms. There's just not too much to work with on the truck C channel. The first time I tested it on rough ground romping it the welds cracked on the trailing arm brackets. I had to grind all the welds back off and really beaf the the crap out of it. For the rear, I used a later model Ranger 8.8 leaf under. Did not see any need to cut C channels in frame. Used racing quality$$$ 2 inch wheel spacers to bring the wheels out. It set 2 inches lower in the rear than the front. Simply raised it with air shocks. But to get enough shock and shock travel, I had to use shock bracket extensions. The truck handles curvy roads like a Crown Vic should. I used the Crown Vic wheels and short police intercepter center caps and beauty rings. Painted the weals the same to match the Burgundy truck. Note: Being a police intercepter front end, came with the expensive rotors and they cleaned right up. But I went ahead and rebuilt the rest of the front end to new condition. I deleted the cab fuel tank and mounted a new one between the frame in the rear. On the FE I added an Eddy Performer manifold and 600 cfm carb, 3 inch exhaust, Eddy aluminum water pump. I used a racing quality steering shaft and knuckles. My total parts was about $4,000. I had to pay my Nephew for help on top of that. I would do it again in a heartbeat for a great handling great stance short bed. Long bed, not so much. They are work trucks. Would like bucket seats but the original black bench seat is in great condition. Hard to swap out things in great original condition for a Sunday driver.

I saved a 62 unibody from the scrapper by doing the crown Vic full frame swap. I used a 96 Vic though...it was a friends car that had a new jasper 4.6 with less than 10,000 miles ...gave him 600 bucks for it. The 96 doesn't have rack and pinion....but the track width is a little narrower. I used the dash from the Vic and everything...original wasn't a concern for me....and like you say it is a "gentleman's truck"...I don't intend to do anything in it ...other than look cool. It isn't done yet but I have been kicking around in it...go put gas in it etc and its great....its no power house but it is a fun zippy little truck. I'll have about 2 grand in the whole thing by the time is all said and done. I think if I had a nicer truck to start with I would just do the front end swap.

Thanx for the video. Helped me decide NOT to Do the swap on my 63 Unibody. I need more of a truck than a cool ride. Thank so much.

Done mine on my 64 very easy, internet great source for ideas! Did not hear any thing that would stop from useing this option.

I made the comment on the last video about the truck suspension another in fords line of bad suspension designs. To clarify. The Fords had a very strong suspension with the I beam but for handling. tire wear etc it was really bad but that was the trade off for it being strong. I agree with the reasons for the crown vic swap. If I were using it as a truck I would leave it stock. If it's used as a car like most trucks are then I would definitely do the crown Vic swap. Even for typical hauling the crown vic suspension will be fine though.

Flipped the the crown vic axel converted to leafs. 50mm. + offset wheels

Great Video

You can also use the Town car front ends as well. Its what I went with I can’t wait till my baby is on the road again 72 f100 short bed.

Good comparison.

2nd generation explorer rear fits perfect. its an 8.8 with 31 spline shafts and the spring perch is on the bottom which gives you the drop in the back

Yes! Keep it the way it is. Easier to fix for the next person to fix. Use it, it's a truck. "If this truck doesn't have a dent in the tail gate, it's not being used properly" Greta info Jeff!

Crown Vic swap makes the truck feel light and nimble for cruising /dragging but you are right ford built these right for work but for a light f150 f100 that came with a 302 or 351 small block a 4.6 260 hp version would make it fun since hp makes trucks/cars feel like they don’t stop making power and the old small blocks made torque but ran out of steam midway thru second gear but I would like to see one of these trucks with a new Godzilla motor

I have a 66 F100 and an 07 Crown Vic in the yard awaiting the full blown frame swap. I don’t need the truck for the truck functionality since I already have two 4WD Ford trucks to use for that. The 66 will just be for fun driving around town.

Great video! Since a lot of people (including myself) are into lowering, can you do a video on properly lowering the front and the back of the F100? And how low can you go but still keep the Home Depot runner?

I'm actually planing a crown Victoria front on a 68 f100 but my plan is to keep the ride height the same. I was going to c the frame on the front down to match the rear and go with a 3/4 ton rear leaf. Do you think I'll have any issues with this. Also going with a 300 6 cylinder. Also will probably go with conversion to 2015 and up mustang electric rack. I think I'll still have good haulin and driving rig. Your opinion please.

I purchased a crown vic front end from a salvage yard not far from here. I will let you know how it goes. Frankly, I'm not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to the benefits when its done.

I agree work trucks need the beefier suspension but if you are looking for more of a show truck the Crown Vic swap is spot on. Gives you much better handling and since they are fleet vehicles the parts for them are super cheap.

Great Knowledge Base. Thanks!

I've bought 3 running and driving crown vics for $122 bucks at auction been driving mine for 8 years now . Other 2 our used for my 57 f00 and 76 f100. My son is a welder. . Bought the instal kits for both trucks under $300 both still running 9 inch I'm still cheaper than what he quoted. . I'm way under what he is saying .you csn find them cheaper than you think .

Thank You for the advice, I have an F250 wich I short the chasis and bed and converting it to actually an f100 from 8 lugs to 5 lugs cause I bought a chassis with all new suspension parts for 200 bucks ( I sold the chassis only for 300 bucks by the way and keep all suspension, differential and 90%good Michelin tires 😂😂🤣🤣😂🤣 ) and it was even powder coated but is a 1977 I though I was going to be able to just transfer my cab and bed since looks very similar but I WAS WRONG they are completely different, width and long so what I decide to do is just use my own chassis shorter and power coated now with the suspension everybody keep saying it won't fit and I just did it yesterday all perfect except that I have to relocate my lifth springs perches and my rear shocks brackets but I'm very happy I converted from 8 to 5 and short bed, was about to do the swap but I still want to have a full use of it since is going to be my daily driver, "forgot to mention I drop in a nice 5.0 fuel injection" and I have another Ford 2009 250 for work and heavy loads but these will be my baby.. thanks for all the advise and for sharing You knowledge I just subscribe to Your channel, """just letting You know""""

7:05 the twin I beam is still used in 2wd f250 and f350 trucks and has been in use in the econoline van since 1975. Even the cab and chassis/ cutaway vans made in 2024 when this comment was made still use the twin I beam suspension.

A Chevy/GM guys opinion here.Heres one other plus.Finding OEM parts for the classic truck at your local parts store may be a problem.Finding OEM parts for a newer vehicle would be much easier and likely less expensive too.I upgrade to newer model OEM on my GMs as much as can.Better parts availability, brakes,steering,ride quality.No brainer to me,but that's just my opinion.

Some many people are doing the crown vic swap now when i first bought my truck the crown 👑 vic was not such a big thing so I had had my engine and transmission rebuilt front end rebuilt all the bells and whistles rebuilt and I wasn't about to pull all of that stuff out pull my front clip out pull my motor out and trans out just to put the crown big front end in just to do what everybody else was doing. Especially just doing it on the weekends it would have took me 6 months to complete that job in a lot of frustrations as well I just went with the lowered I beams it's perfectly fine with me.

Well only one company makes lowering springs for the Vic. Performance parts are wicked expensive. Wheel offsets are goofy. That said it's the best front end for the truck.

I have a question about djm drop beams and drop spindle I have heard so much good on installation but have heard and seen a lot of bad as far as breaking and bent and cracked welds I have a 69 short bed F100 Ranger 460 BB t56 magnum 15x8 an 15x10 I'm wanting to lower the truck I am under slinging the rear end now and was wondering what drop beams are the best and strongest I dont want to be cruising down the interstate and hit a asphalt drop and have ass dropped lol from a broken beam any info would be awesome and appreciated I love the show you always explain everything in a great way that gets the point across with a great sense of humor hahah thank so much cant weight for the next show

First time viewer, love what I'm seeing. Thank you

hi, i started to tell what i did to my 61 unibody. it got to be a huge laundry list so i deleted my message. ill keep my comments short. what i did was in put a fatman front end on mine. i guess its complicated but really it wasnt that bad. mine has four wheel disc brakes its kind slammed to the ground and it has 18 inch gennies on it. i didnt want to go far from stock appearance. other than 18 inch aluminum wheels it looks pretty stick. the fatman frontend solved a lot of problems.

This was such a great, informative video. Thank you for making it! The only thing that's off to me is the end. Why is EVERYTHING in the US just based on it's monetary value. ...rhetorical question, just to clarify for anyone itching to reply. I realize it's a mix of the culture that's been built/our country is based on, and the fact that the majority of us are kept in a state where we Have to consider the monetary consequences of everything we do. But still, I'm building my truck because I love my truck, not because everything has to be profitable.

I’m definitely gonna keep mine as a truck… I do want disc brakes on the front and sway bars at least.

Great video! I have a question for you, I have a 1967 Mustang convertible and I'm going to swap out the front seats from a 2000 Mustang, do you think I can swap out the back seat also? If not do you feel the back seat could be shortened or reuse the leather seat cover and put on my original rear seat? Thank you for your time and consideration

Great info. My question for you which air conditioning systems are compatible with a 1971F 100 truck.

Feel about cutting the frame on a long wheelbase truck to make a short wheelbase? I have a 1967 f250 camper special if interested.

Will the front end from a Town Car work as well? I know it's on the Panther platform but does the air ride exclude it from working?

thank you for all the info. from the crown vic. do you used the rear end too?

i got my cv cradle for 225 at the pick n pull took 30 mins to pull I started my swap at the beginning of this quarantine and im still not finished it has taken longer than I expected I have it welded in new brake lines run new steering in new brakes but I cant find wheels that work and I still have to flip the rear hoping to get it done soon!

is there anyway to keep my 15x10 torq thrusts with a vic front end? the wheels are 15x10 with cooper 295/50/15 on all 4.

Jeff, One thing you didn’t mention is putting the entire truck cab, front end, and bed on the Crown Vic frame. Basically getting rid of the CV body and installing the truck body. Any thoughts on that? The car still thinks it’s a Crown Vic, it just looks like a truck. As well as drives, handles and runs like a Crown Vic.

I have a 1967 f250 camper special. Will it work with a crown Vic? Is there any special year I should look for? Also really heavily thinking about doing the frame swap with a police interceptor to get the better brakes, ac, new dash, seats and most important to lower it.

I have a 57' F100 and its always hard to find anyone doing anything on a truck from that year. Sure the 58' is pretty much the same thing, but even when I go to look up parts to do some type of conversion the kits are broken down to 56' and older or 58' and newer...…….. Whats the difference? I've thought about doing the crown vic swap since I'm strictly going to hot rod the truck and want to do the four link in the rear. Is there a better alternative for the front? This truck may not have a lot of value on the market but my father had it since I was 1 yr old, we started making plans to restore it back in 2017 after it had sat out in the front yard for 15 years, sadly he passed away 6 months later but I still want to complete those plans.

I have a 1971 Ford F-150 XLT, in your experience would it be better to do a crown Vic swap or build the motor in it which is a 351-M.

What about the lowering kit that uses dropped I-Beams? What are the drawbacks, if any?

Great video the project im on does not have any front suspension i think the crown would be easyer than cut and clip

I’d like to do this but I wanna know if the Town Car would also be a candidate for this swap, I know that they do share a platform with the Grand Marquis, Marauder, and Crown Vic but I’m not 100% sure if they’re all the same frame wise

I have a 64 F100. Is there any swamp besides a car swap so I get to have updated suspension and still on a truck?

Going to crown vic my front end...and newer explorer rearend..just not sure on engine...but it will be carbureted...on my 77 f150

Am I the only one who despises Crown Vic F100s? I see them ALL OVER the Internet

Let's say I end up having to go with the crown Vic swap. This lowers my truck 4 to 6 in. Can I lift the truck back up for 6 in? I have new 30-in tires. 0:

Great discussion, Jeff. May I remind you of Senator Everett Dirksen (a long time ago) who said, paraphrasing, in regards to government spending (ahem...): "a billion here and a billion there and it eventually comes to real money." Swaps and conversions are all wonderful except as financial projects. Do the [ swap | conversion ] and drive it 'til it drops. Now, would you help me replace the British tractor motor in my 1970 MGB? No, I do not need an LSn. :D

You’re awesome!

I have a 57 f100. Could you use the whole cv frame and just put the truck body on it? Thanks, good video.👍

I thinking I could dp this yes I have a 1966 f100 long bed no motor or transmission I do have a 5.3 and 4l60 and the crown Victoria front suspension 2006

just purchased a 56 ford pickup as a restoration project and am trying to make a plan to upgrade the front suspension. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated

Around where was this video filmed? It looks so familiar, like I’ve been there. I live in St. Clair County AL but I’ve been all over the eastern US

I agree with you

I have a 54 F100, and I’m trying to put it on a 2000 Harley-Davidson edition F150! With all the AC, heater, electrical system,. Some ppl have said that I’m going to have problems with the width.

You can basically bolt in an Explorer 8.8 Rear axle, FYI!

Those parts are Good for Resto Mods . And Resto Mod Fabrication Shops. I think it's an interesting Resto Mod Fabrication , and for those who have .

Seen any T-Bird rear independent setups? Heard about it, but never seen one in person.

Love your show ..... You are wrong . Put the whole frame under it , and it will be cheap . If the frame is hit , of course , do not . But if the engine is blown , or if cheap salvage car , yes . Some bed room will be lost for the rear suspension hump , but not much after the sawzall . The truck body is three light parts . So just set them on the frame on some wood to just setup and make brackets for it . You will need to by thick metal for the body brackets and mounts . But if you can do a trany crossmember or a radiator surport , you can do this . The frame is used on cars that are heavier then a F350 . If it can be used on armered cars and limousines ...you will be fine . Side note , you can put it under any Torino too .

i did it my 56 f100 CV front end and explorer 8.8 rear end, its not that hard it cost me about $300 for both at a junk yard

Would a after market frame be cheaper than buying a car and all the fab work?

Could you still use natural aspirated engines on the crown vic platform?

I have a 64 f100 with a straight axle front end. In this scenario, would you do the swap?

What if you don’t want it lowered, can you still have the original ride height?

what if you dont want to have a dropped look to your truck, is there another chassis to use or do you just add lift to the body, also the crown vic frame looks a bit long for the short bed 56 F150

What do you think about the Australian Ford Barra compared to the 5.0 coyote swaps...

Can a crown vic rear end fit a 55 f10?

I’m looking at doing a front end swap or disc brake upgrade. What all do I need to do a disc brake swap. My 71 f100 already has DJM ibeams in it. I have a front end from a 73 f100 I was told so what else will I need? My truck already has power brakes but I think I’m gonna need a new booster or master cylinder.