so my 78' f-150 is 2wd and i have been toying with the idea of converting it to a 4wd. but I wanted to know if it would be more work that it's worth? or if it would be pretty easy and doable?

 

"Hard" it will be is very relative term. For some it'll be easy, for some they'll be in over their head due to a lack of money, tools, and/or skills. A few questions to ask yourself include:

Why are you contemplating it? Is it just a cool factor yer after?

-Do I have the tools? At least a 180 amp MIG welder and all the acoutrements. Better if ya gotta a TIG and know how to use it.

-Is it a solid axle swap (SAS), radius arm retrofit, or custom 3- or 4-link? Each type of system has its advantages and disadvantages

-Do I have the money? (Axle, T-case, driveshafts, gears, links, Johnny joints, bushings, steering linkage, custom brackets, springs, steering box/pitman arm, shocks). Contact Ballistic Fab!!!

-Does it make my rig more desirable or is it gonna be a pain in the azz?

Prolly the "cheapest" way to go is to pirate the front end off a 4x4 or a 78-79 Bronco. However in the end, it usually makes sense for the hobbyist to start with a 4x4 instead of converting a 2WD - one-off can make sense if the rig is a high-speed desert/open country runner, a unique rock crawler, or a serious bogger.

Have you thought about building a pre-runner? There are some kick butt ones running around SoCal and Oceano Dunes here in CA.... we're taking 10 feet in the air and flying for 40 yards with super-droopy I-beams and 18 inches of wheel travel.... oh yeah!!!!

Take it on if you're committed to learning and doing it. Otherwise, I'd hate for ya to end up with a half-finished project languishing as yard art.

 

If you really wanted to "convert" your truck the easiest way would be to find a 4x4 with a rusted out body, no motor, or transmission for cheap. Then swap everything from your 2wd to it.If your not really that attached to your truck the easy way would be to sell it and buy a 4x4.

 

ok thanks for the help guys maybe I will just get my 78' 2wd all fixed up and just use it to tow my trailer with and then see if I can build me a bronco or find a 4x4 truck to fix up and maybe paint it to match my 2wd truck. thanks.

 

Unless there is some sentimental value to the truck I would suggest starting with another truck. I went the other way , four-wheel-drive to two-wheel-drive, and it is not a task for an inexperianced fabricator to say the least. That being said, in my opinion it would be best to find a complete donor truck to source your parts from. This would allow you to see how and where everything fits and works and provide a baseline to measure from. Precise measuring before you start is the key. If you don't know where you started, you won't know where you are heading. I used the entire front clip from about eight inches behind the firewall. This made use of the factory steering geometry and avoided many potential problems. And when you are done with the donor, you can part it and scrap it to get back some of the investment. A good welding ability is a must! It's not just your life on the line if something comes apart on the road.

 

the main thing with the old trucks is you can find stuff so cheap for em that its hardly worth it to invest the time. If you wanna go exotic like one tons or rocks on 3 or 4 link, you really have nothing to gain by started with a 4wd since everything will be custom anyway, but if you would be happy with stock, I'd second just buying a truck with the factory setup and swapping your body over to the 4wd frame.

Alternatively, if you just dont care and youre ok with ghetto, you can weld 4wd in a day... may not track right on the highway and etc .

 

well the truck belonged to my grandpa so there is some sentimental value that I have with the truck. so i think that I will leave it as it is and just get it fixed up and re painted. and then go see if I can find me a 78 bronco to fix up or maybe I will have to go to the dark side and see if I can get a jeep.

 

yeah, one thing I've learned, if a truck is clean and has sentimental value you def don't wanna take it wheeling.

 

yeah I have been thinking about repainting it and putting a posi trac in the rear end and then i would like to rebuild the motor and see if I can get some good power out of it. and turn the truck into a hot street truck.

 

people on here get butt hurt when you call it positraction. But limited slip 9's are easy to find. Just decide what gears you want.

 

2X..... and Ford called it as "Traction-Lok"

 

hahaha - I guess I'll never understand why people get their panties in a bunch over names like that. Same thing, different name. Doesn't change what the item actually is so why get so **** over semantics.

Ok sidetracking rant over

 

IMO, it's not being ****. Using the correct terminology gives ya "street cred".

 

Yeah i guess but i could care less About street cred as long as i get the right parts.

 

I could care less about "proper" names and "street cred." I'll let my builds gain me the cred... And the fun part is using the "right" part for the job, which is often NOT an original Ford part. That gets people all up in a huff as well.

As long as I get a well built truck in the end that's all I care about - not what the "correct" ford name of part is.