Hi guys, I am new here. My question is can you convert 2wd to 4wd using 1980 or newer IFS dana 44. any help or someone who has done this would be great. Also considering swapping engine out for a 4.6 or 5.4. again any help would be appreciated.

 

Can you convert a 2wd to 4wd? With time and money anything can be done. With that being said there are a fair amount of changes to the frame between the 2 and 4 wheel drive units and it would require a lot of fabrication to swap any 4x4 drive train onto a 2wd frame and my guess it would get expensive.

My thoughts if you are determined to use the IFS system from a 1980 and newer Ford pickup, I would find one on Craigs List for cheap and then remove the body and try to install the body off of your 1977 on the the donor frame. That would be a lot less expensive and less labor involved.

As for the engine swap to a 4.6 or 5.4L same things as above, find one on Craigs list complete the with the transmission and transfer case and then swap that into the 1980 and newer frame. I installed a 4.6L in my 1965 2wd and I love the results of the swap so I highly recommend it.

That is my thoughts on the subject. As always keep us posted if you move forward with a swap and let us know how things progress and good luck with your future project.

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff. will the 73 - 79 body bolt easily to the 80's frame or even the 97 up frame. that would be the easiest way if it can be done. Also was it hard to do the 4.6 swap. I would love to get some insight.
Lorne

 

Body wont swap unless you make mounts and im pretty sure theres a little wheelbase varience.

 

Here is a link that I put on the 61-66 forum showing the engine swap I made last summer.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...has-begun.html

As for the body swap, I can not tell you how easy it would be but it must be easier than trying to swap over the running gear of a 4x4 onto a 2wd frame. If you could find a 97 and up for cheap then you would not have to mess with the engine swap as it would already have a 4.6 or 5.4L. I wish I had the 5.4L instead of the 4.6L but I got one heck of a deal on the engine/tranny so I can not complain. It really moves my old 2wd really well, but I can not say how it would move a 4x4.

Jeff