Hey Guys,

New here, but not new to forums. I'm not really a Ford guy, but my buddy is diehard. He has a 1979 F350 Camper Special in great shape. Built 460. He really wants to convert it to 4X4 and is not very internet literate, so that's where I come in. I searched around and came up with this site which looks great. We looked at a 4X4 model and most everything looks different to include the frame. My thoughts were to try and find a junk 73-79 4X4 and swap everything over that we need. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

Yeah, a body swap onto a 4x4 chassis is your best bet. The main issue is the steering linkage is behind the axle on 2wd trucks, so you have to weld a plate into the frame and remount a correct 4wd box and column for starters. Chebbys of that vintage are much easier to convert.

 

Consider this approach and keep your frame:
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/1979_ford_f150_driveline_conversion/index.html#ixzz1hHJm5k7J

 

Here is some words from "the man" F350.....

There is nothing nuts and bolts about a 4wd conversion. Having preformed several myself, there is not a thing that is bolt on or swappable.
The engine cross members are entirely different, and this means that if an un molested truck is what you are after, it will be impossible to create one with a 2wd platform.
The 2wd will have to be lifted quite a way to clear the front diff.
2wd trucks are coil sprung and most F250 4wd's are leaf sprung. None of the suspension items are even close to the same, so you will be fabricating or modifying some original 4wd stuff to work.
Steering systems are entirely different as well, so you will be upgrading that too.
My last conversion with leafs ran me several thousand dollars, and that was with the work that I performed for free.
The difference in sale values between a 4wd and 2wd are minimal, and the 4wd conversion is hardly justifiable.
How far away are you looking? I pick up F250 4x4's for reasonable money. Consider the cost of shipping, and then consider buying a west coast truck with no rust, and I can guarantee that you will be time and money ahead.
Well the frames are similar, with a few exceptions. The frame horns are slightly different, and the frame widths aft of the cab ar different from 73 to 77 trucks. The frame rise is also slightly different, but this is not a show stopper and does not make much difference one the fabrication begins.
Not that the important question is whether or not you will be using a coils springs or a leaf spring. It is possible to install a 78/9 radius arm and suspension. Not a big deal really, and with a standard cab this is reasonable. Not quite as easy with a super cab and or crew cab.
The 2wd frames are not cut for the shackle pivot, and they do not have the provisions for a spring hanger, but again, this is not a deal breaker. Installing a pivot is just a tedious process. Accuracy is key, but I am not telling you anything that you do not already know.
Ok, so next is the transfer case. You have two choices, Install a married case, and this requires the proper transmission. Might find some difficulty making or modifying an output shaft to accommodate the early C6 and a married transfer case. So then the next option is to find a divorced transfer case, and install this. You will have to make up a cross member, but then you will have to get creative with the shifter linkage. See the 4wd trans will have an adapter or tailshaft with a pivot for a typical 205 shifter.
Fabrication is the only limiting factor here.
Next and final factor will be the speedo. See your speedo works from the trans, so that being the case, you will have to get a speed reference form the t-case. If you do not, the speedo will read twice as fast when you put the case in low range.

As mentioned the steering box will have to be relocated, and the truck will require some lift. That engine crossmember has limited clearance so you will be looking at some lift to even clear it. The other option would be to remove it and replace it with a tubular unit.

This is a heck of a project. Not unreasonable, but a project none the less.
2500 bucks for a 2wd might get expensive. I paid 1300 bucks for a 4wd 75 last year, and it was already 4wd with 38" tires, and a strong 460, A/c, and plenty of goodies. I have made these conversions, and can tell you that it is a chore.

 

Wow; that's a lot to digest. We initially considered just doing a body swap, but this is the camper special and I don't think they ever came in 4X4; the wheelbase is different so the swap won't work on others. I'm now thinking why not find a donor 4X4 truck and cut off the front 25% or so of the frame and have it properly mated to the 2WD frame? This would give us all the steering and front suspension. Transfer case crossmember issues should be a comparatively simple matter. Thoughts?

 

Yes good idea to get a frame already set up for 4x4, it seems easier to lengthen the back half and relocate the rear spring hanger.

I am sure there is a frame that will work with a little work like a 4x4 ext cab/long bed, and move the rear axle as needed.

I would try that route.....seems a ton easier. To bad you are in Md and I am in Mo cause I have a 79 F250 thats a ext cab/long bed 4x4 460 auto NP 205 fnt/rear D60's
(bought it for the front axle), the body is pretty rusty, but the frame looks ok.

Motor has not ran since rebuilt trans. Its goin to be a parts truck once I get the front axle out from under it.

 

Hello all....new member..old '79 enthusiast!

I just bought this '79 F350 2wd dump and am looking to convert it to 4wd. I have a king-pin D60 but it's a later model '85 or so?

Since the F350 is coil sprung, I've entertained the idea of using radius rods and C-brackets from an F150 and keeping the coils. Problem is the diff housing is much closer to the knuckle than it is on the '79 style D60. I dont think there's enough room to weld on the c-brackets?

Of course using leaf springs will work OK but as thread #3 details, there's gonna be a lot of fab work involved. I own a machine shop business so that's not a problem other than the time involved.

I have two '79 F250 4wd truck for donors. Both have 435 trannies and 205 TCases plus other goodies I will need.
The F350 has a T18 but I believe the PTO gear box will fit the 435s?

Anyone have advice/suggestions?


BTW...to the OP....I will be scrapping the two F250 4wd frames. One is good...the other not so much.
Not sure where your located but.....?

Here's the F350 as bought:


One of the donor F250s....has a D44 front

 

I put a 2wd cab on my 4x4 f250. I had to do some fabricating, cut the hole out on the floor, and do some cutting underneath for the T-case to clear. I thought I was home free when the cab was bolted to the frame and the fenders and glass was in it. I was wrong. I would say that 4x4 and 2wd are different trucks. It is doable, but I have a 79 f350 4x4 superclean trailer special rust free Cali truck 100,000 original miles, and I sold it for $6000. It was a lariat with air and cruise that worked, might sound high, but I bet after that conversion, it might sound like a bargain.