Just wondering how hard it would be to swap a 96 f150 2wd to 4x4 using a 89 TTB d50 parts truck? I have a 89 f250 with d50 and have been looking for a better home for a 351w I rebuilt... Found a 96 f150 with a 5.0 so I could do MAF swap as well (rust free FL truck... bad M50D)... Just wondering if the D50 will be a bolt on or a PITA? I do have a mig and stick welder... but not much for cutting metal if I have to make parts...

Thoughts???

 

i don't know if the half ton frames are the same as the 3/4 tons so the d50 swap might be more fab than bolt on. i do know that the half ton coil and radius axle is a bolt on swap for 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton frames.

 

well, the 89 has leaf springs, and the 96 has coils.
so you are going to have to fabricate spring perches on the axle, or spring mounts on the truck.

 

Welding on some spring perches wouldn't be that hard I guess... would locating the position of the spring perches be hard? Or would they be in the same place as on the 3/4 ton?

 

don't do it with the 3/4 ttb axle. sell the d50 parts on craigslist to some guy with a dually d60 and get a d44 1/2 ton ttb axle. it will work much easier for what your trying to do.

 

still kinda just thinking it over in my head. The reason I get F-250's is for their payload and HD axles... I really wouldn't have a use for a little 1/2 ton 4x4... Maybe I'll just hold out and try to find a 95-97 F250 or F350... I just can't bring myself to put $2000 worth of new motor in a $300 beat to hell farm truck! Thanks for the help guys!