hey, so i'm thinking about putting a 4wd conversion on my 62 f100, just curious as to what all that entails?

 

Unless you love you truck or it has some special family history, it would be a ton easier and cheaper to find a 4x4 truck. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but I'm in the middle of updating a '66 2wd to a modern chassis 4x4. It's coming along, but it's a project I wish I didn't start. (and I've been fabricating for 20+ years)

 

Don't know where you're at, but in a local salvage yard (ND), there is a mostly complete 62-63 Ford F100 4wd. As stated, would be easier to start with that. Wish I could save it, but have too many projects.

 

I agree with the others, the frames on the 4x4 are different than the 2wd truck. It can be done; with a lot of work and fab. Find a early to mid 70's 4x4 with P/S and P/B for a donor and move your 62 body over to.

 

I'm located in Chicago, and just getting some ideas for the old truck

 

Are we talking a 2wd integral to 4WD?

 

Sorry to seem ignorant but what is integral?

 

integral was Fords name for the unibody.

 

Oh, then no, seperate bed and cab

 

Not familiar with the 61-64 chassis, seems if one was set on making the swap it would be slightly less complicated than if it were 65-66, with the I-beam front suspension,which I definately would not recommend!!, perhaps members more knowledgeable with 61-64 chassis can advise. I tend to go with taking body off and installing on the 4x4 chassis. Anyhow, had an urge to chime in.

 

Simple Swap.

1. Add front drive axle from any 59 to 65 F100 Or from a 59 to 77.5 F250. you can even add late model ford live axles if you relocate the leaf spring mounts. Steve at Industrial Chassis has 3" leaf mounts for 3" Axle tubes.

2. Find and mount a divorced case T Case from any 59 to 65 F100 or 59 to 77,5 F250

3 Add Propeller shaft from current trans to T case. Add Drive shafts from T case to Front axle and rear axle.

4. Place levers into cab to actuate the T case.

It is very simple, with minimal fab skills required.

Garbz

 

Yep, the 4x4's are not that different.....
Also make sure your front and rear axle ratios match. And you will need lift blocks on the rear axle to level it back out.......

 

That's a lot more simple than I would have thought! And that absolutely all you would need to do a full swap?

 

5. Add all the time (and money) it's gonna take to find all these parts. Don't forget the front springs/shackles and steering gearbox/Pitman arm, cuz 2WD ain't the same.

What conditions will all these used parts be in? I can just imagine...worn out. The springs will be sagging like an old nag, may have broken leaves. The shackles and bushings will be his-tor-e.

The gearbox will have 4-6 or maybe more inches of play. Will need everything replaced internally. The front driving axle and transfer case will need new bearings for sure, prolly more parts.

Drive/coupling shafts may be oughtta round, will need to be straightened. Will need new u-joints, hope the yokes are OK.

It may be a simple swap, but...you have the knowledge and skills that most peeps don't. So you'd be aware not to buy worn out used crap that's gonna take a pile of dough to fix.

bertha66: There is no such thing as an F100 4WD with P/S until 1973, then it's (1973/75) the awful Garrison Power Assist P/S, replacement parts are slim and none.

The manual gearbox box is used, as it has nothing to do with Power Assist.

And 1973/79 F100 8' Stylesides have a 133" wheelbase. What is the wheelbase for 'wrong bed' 1961/63 Stylesides? 122."

 

That's ok Bill about the P/S, I use a Toyota box anyway.