I have an opportunity to buy a 1984 Flareside. The owner converted it to 4x4. I would prefer the original 2WD set up. Any opinions on how much work it would be to switch it back? It is lifted quite a bit as well. What years could I get the front suspension from? Thanks!!

 

It all depends what you pay for the parts. You can buy a complete parts trucks for under 500 or buy a running truck for a bit more and swap the parts. then you can resell the other truck as a 4wd and as a profit

or just buy a 2wd to begin with

 

How much work? I guess that depends on your skill level. I've never even thought of converting a 4wd to 2wd.. but you could just leave the transfer in 2wd? I'd imagine you could keep the suspension and pull the front diff assembly, hubs, brakes, transfer case, swap in a 2wd tranny, replace the driveshaft, change out springs, seal the whole in the floor and you'd be good to go.. Or you could get the entire front end out of an 80-96(?) truck and bolt it up. Seems like it's a decent amount of work and sourcing parts if you want it to be as an original 2wd truck came factory.

I'm just curious, why do you want to get rid of the 4wd?

If it was me doing what you want (never happen btw), I'm assuming you want the truck for the flareside? I would buy the flareside and a same body style 2wd truck. Swap the beds and sell the 4x4. Much, much less work and accomplishing the same thing.

 

The amount of work also depends on how the PO converted it to 4x4.

If he did a hack job, or modified the frame, it could be a ton of work to undo his mess.

 

Thanks so much for all the replies. I should add it's a "family" truck, so kind of a sentimental thing. I have no need for a lifted 4x4, especially a cobbled together deal. I live in a city where just parking a full size is a big job. I know the current owner bought a bronco and swapped everything to the flareside. I was thinking I'd buy a 2WD and swap it all back. Not sure it'll come together. I am interested in what year will suspension etc interchange with '84 302/c6 F150. Again, thanks a bunch for all replies!!

 

I'm no expert, but I know 4x4 suspension was pretty much the same from 80-96... so I'd assume you be good with that year range for 4x2 as well.

Should definitely be ok with any other 80-86 truck atleast.

 

^^^^ This - yeah, 80-96 would be the years to be looking at....

 

What about just taking out the lift and running stock tires for a stock look? If the 4x4 equipment is in decent shape it does not hurt much to let it sit under there. That's a lot of work to get rid of it, and in stock form 4x4 does not look much different than 2wd. It can be very subtle. Being part time 4x4 the mpg impact is not a huge difference either. Even if you don't need it, to me it just wouldn't be worth the effort to make it 2wd. Just a thought anyway.

 

Here's my opinion. Iv'e done a 4x4 swap and lift, and it does make a difference. My truck is now a lot heavier, slower to get moving, and a tank of gas never gets me as far. I live in Canada so having 4x4 is must sometimes. I'd say if its only a road truck that never uses 4x4, it's better to have a 2wd truck, and I'd swap to 2wd in a heartbeat.

It is however a fair amount of work to undo it. You need a transmission, driveshaft, front axle, calipers etc. It's a bolt in deal, but a lot of bolts, parts and wrenching.

 

getting closer to a deal.Concerned about rust

 

got a sweet deal on these though. I believe they are trick Flow

 

can't tell if the passenger

cab corner is rotted.

 

If it were mine, I'd leave it four wheel drive. For sentimental reasons, it was converted..leave it that way. It's a tribute.

 

Opinions on overall condition? I know pics aren't
much to go by

 

Overall condition to me looks rough... open the doors and look at the area where the floorboard meets the rocker panel; water likes to accumulate there and that area rusts out. Might look at the floors as a whole, too....

I tend to agree with the others - if it's been converted to a 4x4, somebody went through a fair amount of work to do that and I'd leave it that way.