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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

quick frame question

Old Nov 26, 2010 | 09:55 AM
  #1  
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quick frame question

going to look at a 85 4x4 f250 and he said its got leaf springs on the front. my ? is can i swap this leaf setup to my coil 2x4 frame or do i need to swap cabs over to that frame
thaks john
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 10:05 AM
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The 4 wheel drives use leaf spring twin traction beam. The two wheel drives use coil spring, twin i beam. Are you asking if you can run coil with twin traction beam? Or, do you want to know if you can swap the 4 wheel drive in? That can be done all the mount holes are present on the 2wd and 4x4 f250's.

The f150 uses that system, but not the f250, or the rare non solid axle f350s.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 10:08 AM
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you could do either one , on swapping the springs over to a 2x4 frame you will have lots of fabrication to do as nothing will bolt up ! swapping cabs would be easier !
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 10:12 AM
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I have never done it, but they say you can swap the 4x4 leaf spring setup onto your 2wd coil spring frame, but it requires some modification in the front shackle area, and there are some holes already present on the frame for the rear leaf spring hanger, but I still hear about some grinding and drilling there also.

Before you go look at it, stare at or take pictures of your front frame area, and then take some of the 4x4 front frame area where the shackle goes up inside. You can then contemplate your next move.

Also there are some guys that like a "shackle reversal" kit. This puts the shackles in the rear, and they say if you do this, it requires some modifications anyway and it can work on your swap. They justify this swap because of the "better design" but I think most do the reversal because it gives you some lift over stock.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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yes wondering if i can un bolt the twin i beams and bolt in the leaf set up to get the 4x4 in this frame.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 10:45 AM
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I don't believe it will bolt in. If you want to do this your best bet is to Swap a Dana 60 in and do a shackle reversal while you're at it. The A frame front shackles are a terrible design.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 11:56 AM
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the frame horns are different on a 2x4 and the 4x4 , if you have never converted a 2x4 to a 4x4 or your fabrication skills aren't that good then you will be opening up a can of worms !
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 04:02 PM
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fabrication skills are pretty good i think.but i'll just be swaping cabs over.yep its got twin beams with leaf springs it will do for what i'm needing it for.
thanks guys for the quik response
 
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