ok...Ford guys...a question !

It's me again, '66 for sale spam. sorry. I only bring it up when mentioned...

 

Sounds like you're in a pickle young reverend. Unfortunately I don't have the specific answer that you're after but I think that Krash has the right idea. If the wheelbase is the same as your sedans then the only real difference should be the overhang frame section.

You probably don't want my advice but here's what I would do if the body is as mint as you say. Since a repair or replacement of the frame both seem to require pulling the body off, I would opt for the repair since it'll be all new steel.

Let's hear some of these outlandish quotes of yours. Our team would have no problem tackling this job but I would have to guess that it would be in excess of 12 hours labour. Followed by a structural integrity inspection.

Maybe a road trip to Nelson is in your future.

 

It's probably just a truck frame.

 

Is this the 63 we are talking about? If so, that generation frame was used from 1960 to 1964. Ford went to the torque box frame for 65. The sedan/coupe/wagon frame is the same from the front horns back to the rear wheel arch. The frame extensions at the back are different. If you are going to change the frame anyway, I would be tempted to scare up a convertible frame. Same wheel base, but considerably stronger in the middle, and then graft the rear frame from a wagon onto the convertible frame. You will end up with a stronger car in the end, especially if you are going to tow with it.

 

I can't speak directly to the differences between 66 County Squire frames and sedan frames. The 64-67 Vista Cruiser frames are boxed like Cutlass convertible frames, but they are also stretched to accommodate the 5 inch longer wheel base. My guess is the CS has a different wheel base at the very least.

 

Catalog indicates all big '66 Fords had a 119" wheelbase. It also indicated the overall length of all models was 210".

 

Here's a way to find out for sure if the frames are the same. Check the fitment guide for trailer hitches. If the wagon lists a different hitch, you know for sure the frame is different. If it is the same hitch, then chances are, with the wheelbase and over all length the same, the frames are identical.

 

Now that sounds like a good idea!

 

believe me Dean....i gave it some thunkin

Gawd forbid...Nelson???
And Pat....your one of the very few locals that I would listen too...or consider letting work on my cars

yup...thats what mine says too....i think i'll just fix it...Pats gotta point!....as much as it hurts to say so

Mike....whos gotta trailer hitch listing for 60's cars???

.....its starting to look like a winter project..oh...woohoo...

 

if your gonna go thru the expense of a frame swap and arent really concerned with being concours correct maybe look at sliding a later model chassis under it. otherwise i would repair it. if you have ever seen a lowrider style frame which has been wrapped to participate in hopping you would be surprised at what can be done

 

Here's what I would do--------------Go to an RV supply dealer. Have them look up a trailer hitch for your vehicle. Write down every vehicle it fits.
Go to junk yard and have them find those vehicles and get them to cut off just the part you need.
Go to a good welder or frame shop and have them replace the bad portion.
Should be a couple of hours work. Or 10 years if I did it!

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. It is a holiday and according to Florida laws it must rain today. My crappy satellite service goes out when a low flying bird poops on the antennae or it drizzles!

 

Some dude I use to work with used JB WELD on everything. Door hinge broke on his Jeep and he used it on that. Of course the door fell off. bwhahaahahah