I've always liked the Late 70's supercabs, and I've been shopping around lately. I've found several clean 2WDs, but as most of you probably know already, finding 4wd is tough.

I figured that converting would be a simple as finding a donor rig and moving over the axles, shafts,transfer case, steering, etc... but after a few searches on here, it sounds like ford did a few things different with the frame that make it a real pain in the ****.

Are the supercabs easier by chance? , I'm guessing not, but figured I'd ask the question. Are there different years that are easier to convert? Could 78-79 be different than 73-77?

 

Nope the supercabs are no different. Still a pain to convert to the general mechanic. It envolves alot of fabrication. Youll also need a good understanding of suspension and steering geometry. To bad your so far away. I already have a 78 supercab 4wd chassis sitting here stripped to the bare bones. All you have to do is swap on your cab and motor/tranny.

 

Nothing that can't be shipped.

 

Yeah but its prolly cost as much to ship as it does to buy it.

 

You really would be better off buying a 4wd than trying to do a conversion. How much are you willing to spend and how far are you willing to travel?

Check out craigslist.
Here's one in Polson 1976 Ford F250 CrewCab 4x4.

Here's one in Billings 1978 ford supercab 4x4 (best offer).

Oh, and btw, have you joined the MT chapter yet?

 

Actually that 1st one is exactly what I'm looking for (F250, 4spd, 460, and 4wd). I've just seen some 2WDs in mint condition... figured I'd check it out. I'll have to take a look at that 76.

Thanks, guys.
SLL

 

...except its a shortbox. Damn it. I suppose maybe I could deal with that.

 

It's a crewcab too (not a supercab), I just noticed. Sorry about that one.

 

Yeah, noticed it myself... its not short on rust either

 

I'm going to convert mine. But I'm still in the planning stages. I'm going to Build a custom coilsprung straight axle front-end similar to the newer dodges....not for the faint of heart.

 

i converted a 75 supercab 4x2 into a 4x4, but i used the front part of the frame off a 76 regular cab 4x4. cut the 2 frames and then welded them back together. a little tricky cause the 4x2 frame is taller than the 4x4 frame. but as long as u measure and remeasure and make sure its square works pretty good.

 

I don't know this for sure,
but it might be easier to put a good 2wd body onto a 4x4 frame.
If I'm thinking correctly, that would be a lot less fabricating.

Murph.

 

would be alot easier if u could get the supercab 4x4 frame.
all i could find was the 4x2 frames in my neck of the woods, so thats why i went the route i did.