I recently picked up a 1954 Ford f100 and plan on changing the engine to a 5.0. I wanted to find out what type of frame i could swap to that would work, or what i could do to make the existing frame and front end work?  

You can put just about any engine you want into a '53- '56 Ford F-100 frame. I heard a rumor that there's magazine out there called Custom Classic Trucks that has been running tech features on this kind of stuff since 1994.  

My truck will be running over 400 hp and I was told i needed a stronger frame and suspension. I wanted to no if there was a ford or another frame from another vehicle i could use.  So before i spent the money I thought I'd get a second opinion. If there are tech specs on this situation in the magazine could you tell me which ones and how to get them.  

The January '08 issue of Cutom Classic Trucks has a Chassis Buyer's Guide. If you are too late to find January, the February issue has a suspension guide.

A 400-horse 302 huh? Yeah, you'll need some brakes.

Also when you inquire about your options, its a good idea to mention what kind of budget you are working with. When someone asks what frame can adapted from another truck that idicates a low-buck build. But then when you come back with a 400-horse 302, that's going to take some money. Are you just dreaming, or do you want to build a serious truck?  

I am going to build a serious truck.I just wanted to see if another frame would speed up my process. Also confirm what my mechanic has been telling me. This is the only thing holding me up my engine and body work has been completed.  

Good, that's all I needed to hear! You are going to save yourself anywhere from 1-5-years by buying a complete rolling chassis instead beefing up your original frame. Here's my personal pick of the chassis' I would use for one of my F-100's. Fatman Fabrications, No-Limit, Walton   Fabrication, Art Morrison, Jim Meyers, If you can't find the January '08 issue on the newsstand, email your address to me at john.gilbert@sourceinterlink.com and I'll mail you a copy.

Not to make a pun, but we'll have you rolling in no time.  

I have been running old fords all my life. I cant imagine any old ford frame that would have a problem with 400 hp.
If you are concearned about it. We used to box some of our truck frames. This was done for off road abuse and extreamly heavy loads. Just cut 1/4 inch plate and skip weld it to the inside of the frame. Use fish plates on the outside along cross members or weak areas. Tie boxes into cross members but use good welding engineering tecnequies. bend the box around the corner and skip weld along the edges only. DO NOT WELD ACROSS THE FRAME OR CROSS MEMBER. The frame still has to flex. This will make your frame well beyond FORD tuff.