I'm considering buying a 59 F250 VIN F25CR918549 to restore and convert to a 4x4. I'm not sure how to post pics but if you search 59 F250 4x4 on Google, there are a couple of pictures of two 4x4's with military style tires. This is the look I'm going for. My question is, is it difficult to do the conversion? I know 59 was the first year to offer factory built four wheel drive. Really all I should need would be a t-case, front 4x4 axle, etc. Thoughts?

 

Here's your factory pictures, '59 and '60. If you do the conversion do you care if it's detectable? Our guys can describe the data plate clues that differentiate an original from converted. There are also gussets you'll want to add as cab stiffeners. And to match these pictures you'll want to find the 19.5" Budds that are highly sought after. If it needs to look real you might be ahead to find a real one and do the restoration work. Stu

 

Good point Stu. I'm not too concerned about it being detected but I can see the difficulty in doing the conversion and restoration. I'm also looking at a 71 F250 4x4 that is in much better shape than the 59. Thanks for the reply!

 

Since you are in Mountain Home, you should look up the Ballard brothers. Claude and Clell, I think are their first names. Clell has maybe 30 old trucks and parts trucks out at his place. I have a '59 F350 I converted to 9' flareside pickup. I'm still mad at myself for not converting to FWD when I had it all apart. I did a complicated 8 lug conversion to the front axle, and if I was thinking back then I'd have just found a dana 60. Heck it's as hard to get in and out of as a 4x4.

 

So if you were in my situation, would you go for it or pass and move on to the 71 F250 4x4 I found as well? I love the 59 body style and the look with the 19.5" wheels.

 

If you're asking me, I'm a stocker, like them real. But it's gonna be your truck so you're the one that has to be happy. Nothing wrong with the '71, though, either, I'm real fond of them too. Over the past year there have been four or five 59/60 F-250 4x4s show up on CL around the country. One real nice one was on San Diego CL for not a lot of money. I watched it a long time, and it ended up finding itself a new home just down the road from GB Sisson on his Orcas Island. I'm envious. Stu

 

I can't seem to locate one on a national craigslist search. Do you have any leads for a 59 or 60?

 

No, there are several with closed listings. Others will show up. Stu