I know that I will need a transfer case,but my question is......I have a '59 F250 2wd and I want to convert it to 4wd. Are the leaf springs different or in different locations on a 4wd than a 2wd? Will I be able to bolt up a D44 from a later (75-79) F250? Thanks.

 

Lance
From my limited experience the springs and mounts are the same except there were two choices for weight capacity for the front axle, making a difference in number of springs for the 250's. If it was me I"d chose the reverse or high pinion D44. If you have the illustrated guide for these trucks it will show the extra mounts needed for the divorced transfer case. If thats the way you are going? Good luck with your project keep us posted with pictures please!
Wally

 

The dana 44 from a late 70's F-250
will bolt in the same place as the stock axle
but the newer trucks have wider springs so
you will have to use spacers on the original
springs to make up the difference.

 

GREAT! Thank You guys.

 

One thing to be careful of is that Ford made some big changes in the late 77 F250s. I would say that you could use the the front axle (Dana 44) up to early 77. Frame width changed in mid 77. Whatever year axle you use, just make sure the distance between the index holes on the spring pads on the axle matches the distance between the spring center bolts of the front springs.

 

I did this build on my 55 F250 using donor parts off a 75 F250 4x4..Found a deal on all 3 major assemblies..Front axel/rearaxel/Tcase/driveshafts..From what i learned measuring endless axels was to use the closed ball axels up to mid 70s.. the open knuckle/disk brake axels are all wider frame..i addressed the wider leaf issue by welding small side plates on the top spring saddle plates that the U bolts seat on..

 

imho steering is going to be your biggest problem. spring pads would be the easy part. i assume you have the drag link off the left side frame rail. an ideal situation would be to find an older complete donor with a closed knuckle dana 44, t-case and rear axle.

 

Good bet for an almost direct bolt in swap. Look at the years 59-72 F250 4x4 or F100 4x4 up to 65. Changes where made in 66 to the F100 4x4 front suspention. It went to a coil spring front suspention and away from the leaf spring that you are looking for.

 

Ford used the same frame from 1960 thu 1965 for F-100 4x4's and 1960 thru 1966 for F-250. Thats why they all had the "wrong" bed on them. The wheel base of 120 inches (4x4) versus the 129 (2x4 and 66 F-100 4x4) for long beds is the reason the beds were used for so long. 1967 all ford picks to F-250 shared the same wheel base. So if you can find a 60 thru 66 F-250 4x4 for a donor you get all the parts and mounting locations you'll need.

 

Not to hyjack but how bad would just swapping the 59 body to a 77&1/2 or new frame with the better steering, brakes and all be?

 

He would have to change the wheel base and body mounts, steering column etc. for a 77

 

There is a frame width change somewhere in the mid 70s. Im not sure which year the change was made. I have seen it noted in NumbersDummys post. It would probably be alot easier to convert on a 4x4 before that frame width change. I have not done one myself so cant tell you how hard or what would be involved to do that swap. If you are looking for a direct bolt on I doubt it.

 

My 60's chassis is level front to back with the only exception being the front couple inches right at the bumper. My 62 F100 4X4 has a step under the passenger compartment so the frames are not the same. Maybe you meant 61 and on but put 60 in by accident. Just thought I'd clear it up a bit.
This elevation change in the chassis affects the brackets/crossmember that carries the transfer case. I have pictures if anyone's interested.
By the way, I turned my '60 Fridge into a 4X4 using '62 parts but found that a 57-60 Fridge chassis needed to donate some 4X4 specific parts to avoid cobbing in some sort of custom crossmember.
Nick in WI

 

See what happens when you quote books. The reason that I shared that info was that Ford first factory produced a 4x4 in 60 and have read that the frame didn't change for 1/2 ton till 66 and 3/4 ton till 67 now I know better , thanks for the info. That's what I like on here I'm learning all the time ! I just went out and looked at my 64 and the frame is flat from the rear to the front of the cab, from there it slants upward a few degrees to go over the front axle to the front, go figure.

 

I have read that the first Ford built 4x4 was model year 59
Before that it could have been made into a 4x4 by NAPCO or MarmonHarrington. Im thinking most I have read about the Marmon was Ford and the NAPCO was GM.
When they say frame did not change they were probably talking about the width between the frame rails.