More done on the 72'...

[zakt]

that 4wd crossmember is really in there have tons of hours on grinding that out and tons more to do

Got my motor mounts for the 460 finally from autofab
http://www.autofab.com/

[elgemcdlf]

that 4wd crossmember is really in there have tons of hours on grinding that out and tons more to do

Got my motor mounts for the 460 finally from autofab
http://www.autofab.com/

[ Image ]

That's why it is recommended to just get a 4x4 frame. If you are paying attention the crossmember is only part of the frame mods. As you can tell the frame is boxed pretty much at least back to the firewall.

[zakt]

That would be nice just to swap frames... with the crewcab there are some that have spliced frames Id just rather weld crossmembers etc than mess with the frame rail splicing (to each his own)

[forrestbump]

I think one BIG issue nobody is addressing is that zakt has an F350, LWB (8' Bed) Crew Cab. Ford did NOT produce an F350 4WD truck in any configuration during the Bump era. If you find one, it's a NAPCO or Marmon-Herrington conversion...NOT Factory! So there is NO SUCH THING as a Factory F350 4WD Frame, conversions only and isn't that exactly what zakt is doing, only BETTER?

I've seen the depth of the frame rails on zakt's truck and they are easily 2" to 3" deeper than an F250's frame...beefy comes to mind when describing his chassis. A much stronger foundation than an F250 chassis.

My hat's off to zakt for undertaking this project and the attention to detail that he's applying is amazing. Keep up the GREAT work and I really appreciate his detailed photographs and build updates!

[elgemcdlf]

Who wrote the rule that the frame had to come from a bump? If there are no 350 4x4's where did the 350 4x4 crossmember come from? From a 350 dent? If so why not use the dent frame? Why not use one from the 80's? 90's?, 00's?

[smokey3215]

I am doing the same thing as zakt 2wd to 4wd cclb and i can tell you one thing the 72 frame is a much stouter frame than any of the newer ones. My superduty frames are puny compared to the 72s.

[averagef250]

Just observations of mine from having a few dozen of these old trucks, mostly 250 4x4's and doing a few 2wd to 4x4 conversions including a 78 F-350 longbed crew (with highboy parts, just like Todd)-

The F-100 and F-250 2wd frames are a little anemic. The F-350 2wd frames from the 60's and 70's are a much, much stouter thing. The F-250 4x4 frame, the actual rails themselves, are probably 99% identicle to the F-350 2wd frame rails. The biggest differences being the holes in the frames where the steering boxes mount.

If you cut all the 2wd front crossmember and bracing out of an F-350 2wd like Todd has done the 4x4 stuff fits right in and works as it would if Ford had built it that way. It is a lot more wok than cutting and grafting the front of a 4x4 frame onto the crew longbed frame, but I think it's a safer route to go compared to the frame splice for most people.

[elgemcdlf]

...The F-250 4x4 frame, the actual rails themselves, are probably 99% identicle to the F-350 2wd frame rails. The biggest differences being the holes in the frames where the steering boxes mount...

So this makes the 250 frame a very usable. Steering box mount: the 4x4's have the box out front and 2WD is behind the axle. What is a 2WD 350? Behind the axle as with the lighter trucks? Which as long as we are on the subject of steering box you may want to think seriously about boxing with sleeves the portion of the frame the steering box mounts to. In a least the lighter trucks frame cracking at steering box mount points was/is fairly common. The 2WD trucks were mounted to a boxed section so I am assuming boxing the 4WD mount area would solve the problem.

[averagef250]

I wasn't suggesting anyone use the 2wd box if that's what you're saying there? I was just stating the obvious difference between the BARE frame rails of an F-350 2wd frame and an F-250 4x4 frame. I've noticed many of the F-350 2wd frames even having the rivet holes for the 4x4 front crossmember and bracing!

The F-250 4x4 frames don't crack at the steering box mount, they aren't boxed in. If you retro a 78-79 F-250 4x4 box onto a highboy frame then boxing and standoffs should be self explanatory when you get to that point. Should be common sense that some thought and good welding should be used to hold the steering box in place.

[Manny]

I wasn't suggesting anyone use the 2wd box if that's what you're saying there? I was just stating the obvious difference between the BARE frame rails of an F-350 2wd frame and an F-250 4x4 frame. I've noticed many of the F-350 2wd frames even having the rivet holes for the 4x4 front crossmember and bracing!

The F-250 4x4 frames don't crack at the steering box mount, they aren't boxed in. If you retro a 78-79 F-250 4x4 box onto a highboy frame then boxing and standoffs should be self explanatory when you get to that point. Should be common sense that some thought and good welding should be used to hold the steering box in place.

Cool stuff Dustin nice to know that the highboy chassis are built on a good tough level with the 350's or similar....

[zakt]

all the welds ground down and onto cutting it apart, cant get it in the frame together... Ended up deciding to hand hacksaw the crossmemeber apart for the thinest cut with the least damage... doing the side pieces first might even have to cut the weld in the middle of the crossmember to get it into the frame from the front... Should be ready shortly to weld it all in after some sandblasting and drilling for the engine mounts....

[basketcase0302]

[zakt]

got my line on another 78 F250 front D60... guy says next week I can get it (hope this one works out)

[FormerMarine1981]

Sweet, can I get the guys, name, number and address. I want to call him and make sure You got a good deal....


Hopefully this one works out for you man.

[zakt]

Have both sides cut off the 68 crossmember and still cant get it in the frame looks like cut in half and slide in the front... as suspected. Might be a good thing though will sandblast all the parts before install (inside and out) then can actually even weld the side of the crossmember where I cut the side pieces off as you cant get to that when there on. Looks to be welded even from the factory from the out side with a tab sticking through and a plug weld on another tab.