2wd to 4wd conversion

[averagef250]

"Wow have you done a 4x4 conversion,that list is impressive and believable...I could hear/feel the frustration.It would be a hell of a job,only a last resort I guess."

Eggman, It's not frustration, it's just an attempt to get the naive to open thier eyes a bit more. Yes, I have completed a 2wd to 4x4 using the 2wd frame, but only because the truck was a crewcab longbox.

If it were my call I would have used a crewcab shortbed 4x4 frame cut behind the cab properly grafted to a longbed rear frame section. I didn't have the choice, I was brought the parts and paid to make them work. Work they did, but not without a ton of work to make it happen.

If I was in the rustbelt and wanted a 4x4 bump I would work extra hard at my day job, man up and volunteer for any available overtime, save my extra cash until I could afford to buy the perfect truck here in the NW where they are like belly buttons, take the time off, fly out and drive it back. Much easier and you'll actually have a truck worth a salt when you're done.

[eggman918]

"Wow have you done a 4x4 conversion,that list is impressive and believable...I could hear/feel the frustration.It would be a hell of a job,only a last resort I guess."

Eggman, It's not frustration, it's just an attempt to get the naive to open thier eyes a bit more. Yes, I have completed a 2wd to 4x4 using the 2wd frame, but only because the truck was a crewcab longbox.

If it were my call I would have used a crewcab shortbed 4x4 frame cut behind the cab properly grafted to a longbed rear frame section. I didn't have the choice, I was brought the parts and paid to make them work. Work they did, but not without a ton of work to make it happen.

If I was in the rustbelt and wanted a 4x4 bump I would work extra hard at my day job, man up and volunteer for any available overtime, save my extra cash until I could afford to buy the perfect truck here in the NW where they are like belly buttons, take the time off, fly out and drive it back. Much easier and you'll actually have a truck worth a salt when you're done.

Average F250 I must agree with you ,I was commenting on your story telling ability.....very convincing

[jdf]

i think that average250 has a bit of a attitude about my post i have put a tape to this idea and i think that it would be a pretty straight forward process and yes i do use the (i think saying ) because i dont know everything like it sounds like average250 does and i was just sharing my opinion on this topic did not think i would catch a bashing over it from average250 .again sorry for posting my opinion


[quote="averagef250"][quote="jdf"]i think that you can take a 78 or 79 dana 44 half ton coil spring front end radius arm, springs and all bolt it right under a 2 wd frame . the coil springs should line right up . drill your frame for the 78 4x4 radius arm brackets. if you have any lift at all i think the pumpkin will clear the 2 wd cross member by plenty of room . the stock 78 or 79 4x4 coil buckets are acually taller than the 4x2 ones so when you bolt the 4x4 springs to the 4x2 frame this should give you a 3 or 4 inch lift automatically .and your track bar should be simple to find a place to mount it . the only other issue is the steering . box the frame where you plan on mounting the steering put crush sleeves in between your box . use a 78 or 79 4x4 half ton steering box . everything should work great . this is what i plan on doing with my half ton 2wd to convert it to a 4wd .any input ?????????????[/quote]

My input to your post is instead of using the word "should" and the phrase "I think" replace the effort used to type all this out with the effort to use a tape measure and actually figure it out. What you'll find is the tape measure method is 100 times more difficult than talking about doing it and you will run into more issues than you suspect.

Another way to phrase what you just wrote is: All I have to do is pull the 2wd engine/transmission from my 2wd ford, remove the front suspension, riveted radius arm mounts and steering, find or build the appropriate 4x4 steering column-firewall mounting plate, buy or build a steering shaft, buy a f100 4x4 steering box, reinforce the frame for the new steering box mount, realize the 2wd front frame sections are far flimsier than the 4x4 ones since they were never intended to mount a steering box and end up stripping out the 2wd front crossmember to box the frame rails and add an adequately rigid crossmember, build new engine mounts, buy 4x4 headers or keep manifolds and redo entire exhaust system, buy a rear sump oil pan and pickup for engine and gaskets and install it, buy a 4x4 transmission and transfer case, build a tranny crossmember, buy or build both front and rear drivelines, buy or build a transfer case shifter, buy a new speedo cable and finally you can get to doing all that other easy stuff you were talking about doing.

You're right. Much easier than doing a body swap.[/quote]

[Redcap]

i think that average250 has a bit of a attitude about my post i have put a tape to this idea and i think that it would be a pretty straight forward process and yes i do use the (i think saying ) because i dont know everything like it sounds like average250 does and i was just sharing my opinion on this topic did not think i would catch a bashing over it from average250 .again sorry for posting my opinion

i think that you can take a 78 or 79 dana 44 half ton coil spring front end radius arm, springs and all bolt it right under a 2 wd frame . the coil springs should line right up . drill your frame for the 78 4x4 radius arm brackets. if you have any lift at all i think the pumpkin will clear the 2 wd cross member by plenty of room . the stock 78 or 79 4x4 coil buckets are acually taller than the 4x2 ones so when you bolt the 4x4 springs to the 4x2 frame this should give you a 3 or 4 inch lift automatically .and your track bar should be simple to find a place to mount it . the only other issue is the steering . box the frame where you plan on mounting the steering put crush sleeves in between your box . use a 78 or 79 4x4 half ton steering box . everything should work great . this is what i plan on doing with my half ton 2wd to convert it to a 4wd .any input ?????????????

My input to your post is instead of using the word "should" and the phrase "I think" replace the effort used to type all this out with the effort to use a tape measure and actually figure it out. What you'll find is the tape measure method is 100 times more difficult than talking about doing it and you will run into more issues than you suspect.

Another way to phrase what you just wrote is: All I have to do is pull the 2wd engine/transmission from my 2wd ford, remove the front suspension, riveted radius arm mounts and steering, find or build the appropriate 4x4 steering column-firewall mounting plate, buy or build a steering shaft, buy a f100 4x4 steering box, reinforce the frame for the new steering box mount, realize the 2wd front frame sections are far flimsier than the 4x4 ones since they were never intended to mount a steering box and end up stripping out the 2wd front crossmember to box the frame rails and add an adequately rigid crossmember, build new engine mounts, buy 4x4 headers or keep manifolds and redo entire exhaust system, buy a rear sump oil pan and pickup for engine and gaskets and install it, buy a 4x4 transmission and transfer case, build a tranny crossmember, buy or build both front and rear drivelines, buy or build a transfer case shifter, buy a new speedo cable and finally you can get to doing all that other easy stuff you were talking about doing.

You're right. Much easier than doing a body swap.

Well, as a guy that has actually done it, Dustin DOES know a considerable amount about such a conversion. But...whatever. Don't listen to one of the more knowledgeable guys on the forum. Also, don't complain when things go awry.