Looking for tips/advice on doing a 4x4 conversion on my '52 F1. I have a '74 ford F100 4x4 reg cab long box and a '79 ford 4x4 reg cab long box for parts. Both with complete drivetrains. The 74 has a 360 4spd and the 79 has a 351M and a c6 auto. I like the '79 because it has disc brakes and a ps box. I have a pretty good idea what needs to be done to the chassis, I think I am going to shorten and box the frame and build new body mounts. Or should I just swap the axles and engine, trans, tcase into the 52 frame? I figure shortening the frame is easier then all I have to do is get the rear drive shaft shortened and build cab mounts insted of having to build crossmembers and align everything. I am a mechanic and I have a certified welder to do the frame welding for me. Think this is possible? How hard is it to enlarge fender openings for larger tires and make them look decent? Any tips/advice/ideas would be great.

 

To get bigger fender openings just find a F-2 - F-6 front fenders. They are 2" bigger and handle a 20" rims.

 

Awesome, I have a set of F6 fronts in great shape. How about the rears?

 

F-2 and F-3 fenders do have wider openings that match the front but they are narrower than the F-1 fenders due to the wider 8 foot box. Maybe you can cut the opening out of an F-2/F-3 fender and weld it in the F-1? I'm gonna be doing the opposite on my truck. I'm gonna narrow F-1 fenders for my M-3.