I need the pros ADVICE!!

yeahbuddy24 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 04:46 PM

Hello. There is a 1976 ford f250 camper special for sale in my area. This truck was originally 2wd but has been converted into a 4wd. He says it runs strong and will climb up anything now. My worries are is it possible to do this converson and still have the truck function properly? meaning will i drive down the road straight? i dont want to get something with lots of problems. He said they did a good job on the converson but i wanted some advice if this converson is lagit? Thanks!! Steve

CrazyAirman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 04:57 PM

Sure, if it's done right, should be great. Drive it tho, and you should be able to feel if its "right" or "hacked"

75F350 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:16 PM

Hek, just post some pics of the front suspension. Idealy the spring hangers, or coil buckets, radius arm mounts or shackles, and the most inportant,,,,steering. We can tell you from a picture if it worth a hill of beans or not.

cougarshaman · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:23 PM

There are way too many dentside 4x4's out there to buy some redneck hack job.
You're right to be cautious.
Pics will tell the whole story.

Drac · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 10:10 PM

In my mind, there are only two ways to convert a 2wd to a 4wd.
1. Put a 2wd body on a 4wd frame. NO Problem, if done very clean. All the parts are ford OEM, fixing and find parts is pretty easy.

2. Hack a front axle and transfer case into a 2wd frame. I wouldn't touch it. Nothing worse than a basket case nobody wants.

It is all about what frame it has, there is a big difference between them. Like Cougar says there too many good 4x4's out there.

Riderman · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 12:21 AM

On the other hand, there are people like F350 and others on this site that could convert it better than factory. Alot of this is plug and play, some of it is not. Post a few pic's of the drive train and front end.

grandmas77f150 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 01:59 AM

Checking his work on the front suspension is a must.

If he'll let you, do a test drive around the area, see how it drives for yourself.

Note: If you want to do a full resto, you'll run into major work, converting back to 2wd to make it original. If this is for play and daily driving, its up to you.

cougarshaman · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riderman

On the other hand, there are people like F350 and others on this site that could convert it better than factory. Alot of this is plug and play, some of it is not. Post a few pic's of the drive train and front end.

Good point.
I would only rebut (not to argue, but just to clarify what I mean by "redneck hack job") that people like F350 are few and far between.

The number of people out there who believe that welding is melting mig wire on a piece of metal, rebuilding a carb is installing a new float and needle/seat assembly along with hosing it down with cleaner, etc are copious. There are a LOT of people out there who don't understand the importance of structural integrity when working with frame members and hybrid components. This is where intelligence, experience, and more than basic knowledge come into play.
Yes, a lot of it is plug and play. But, the crucial parts are not and require expertise to do properly. Lots of people watch Jesse James on tv and think what he does is easy because he makes it look easy. Fabrication is art and science.
Imagine buying a cobbled together 4wd conversion and having the welds fail as you're heading into a curve in the winter with snow on the ground and your kids in the truck beside you.
This is why it's crucial to look before you leap on anything that's had fabrication work done to it by anyone who doesn't have a shop, reputation, and a list of credentials and references.
Living in the Southern Appalachians, I've seen a number of home built rock crawlers break up and pop apart in Tellico or similar spots, and I've seen home built stuff that looked like a pro chassis shop built it.
Call me a curmudgeon, but if someone wanted to sell me a conversion they'd have to work hard to make me believe they knew what they were doing enough for me to plunk down my cash.

Probably the funniest and best known example of poor workmanship:

mark a. · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 08:35 AM

I would look it over very close. Have him drive it down the road while you follow watching to see how it tracks. If it all looks ok, buy it if the price is right.

yeahbuddy24 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 09:48 PM

Thank you all for the advice, as i do not want to buy a hack job either. Here are the only pics i can get now. Mind you i have the exact same pickup with the exact same 2tone paint job but it a 2wd. i am going to take the wood bed of the 4wd F250 and swap it out with my 1974 Ford f100 bed (it in good conditon). I want to use the F250 4wd for my daily driver for the most part. He says the truck is solid and runs great. I know the pics are not the best but if you can see anything that may be a red flag or any advice let me know Thanks......P.S. i could not for the life of me find out how to get these pics to post in the thread. i could not find the attatch button?? hope it worked