hello, i know there are a million posts on swapping to 4wd. im not sure any of them cover what i am looking for.


i need to know if i find a donor truck of the same year andit has a 460 or diesel. can the transfer case and all the 4 wheel drive parts still swap?
mine:1989 f250 lariat xlt 2wd. 351w 5 speed


i assume the transfer case will swap from a ZF to ZF but i don't know for sure.

thing is i can find trucks like mine with 4wd but not everyone has the same engine, usually a 460 or diesel.

my other question is, can i find a solid front axle for this year truck? what should i look for if i can find one? im kinda new to the 4wd scene, looking to setup my truck for it so can have more off road fun.

i also have another question i just thought of.

i have a set of eagle alloy aluminum wheels for my truck, the rear studs are quite long so even with the aluminum wheels will i need anything particular for lugnuts? the rearend i think was setup so duals could be mounted from the factory. it is just standard wheels on it right now.

if someone could point me in the right direction of where to go or what to look for that would help me greatly. thank you.

 

There are many write ups and projects involving a 2wd to 4wd swap. It is a lot of work. For what you are wanting I would steer you to a Dana 50 or 60. But with the Dana 60, you will need the springs and end links to complete the swap!

Here is some good reading that will give you an idea of what you are getting into.....
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ng-d-50-a.html

 

Unfortunately the d50s were not solid axles like he wants they are the same ifs styles that are in the f150s

 

I agree with the interest in the D-60 as even I am still on the search for one. But to get going on having 4wd in the mean time I went with the D-50. LOL! If he has the same challenges, I offered the write up on the D-50, but it holds the same basics to the swap as the D-50.

The F-150's are the same "style" axle, but not the same style suspension. The F-150 continues to use the coil over springs, while the IFS D-50 uses leaf springs.

 

you would be better off selling the truck you have and looking for a 4X4 truck. a 4X4 conversion is not for the back yard parts changer. it requires fabrication and welding skills.

 

thank you for all the information, it is alot to consider.

as far as the rear and the studs, the truck is a stock/standard pickup box not setup for duals. i just figured that was why the studs where soo long so that the rearend could be used for duals or it was the same as a dually on a f350 possibly.

i agree trying to find a 4x4 truck would be best, but finding one that has everything exactly the way i want it may not be possible. this truck is precisely what i want minus the 4wd. the truck is rust free and in excellent shape.

ive actually looked at 4wd models and only found a few with what i am looking for, but way out of my price range at the moment.

i will look for the mag lugs. i will be mounting up the wheels and tires i hope this week or possibly weekend.

as far as the tailshafts, i will have to look at mine to get a full grasp on what you are saying. i understand the length is wrong but what you are saying is i would need the donor truck's tailshaft and mount that on mine, correct? now as far as that, unless its a 351 and a 5 speed i would not be able to just switch transmissions over? from what i know is that the bellhousing is does not come off the ford transmissions and are unique to the engine they are made for?

thanks for all your help. i hope im not confusing you too much.

 

single rear wheel and dually rear axles are different, the dually frames are narrowerin the rear to allow for the inside dual wheels to clear the springs.i would suggest finding a 4x4 with the motor and tranny you want and if it is the cab options you want to keep then swap cabs,that way you still have the rust free body. that is not quite such a job as a 4x4 conversion.

 

i am keeping my eyes out. i have another question, i have the window sticker from when the truck was new. is there a way to tell if this truck orginally came with the aluminum wheels. maybe the glovebox sticker?

just out of a curiosity more then anything. i am waiting for my lugnuts i have some coming. so things are moving along.

 

You're right about trannys, find 1 to match your engine. T-cases should swap between trannys, an pull driveshafts to match your trans

 

thanks for the input. i will keep looking for donor trucks. i have passed up few. i actually shoulda bought the diesel truck i got some wheels and tires from. it was all complete. it only wanted $1000 for the works. like a fool i passed it up.

 

hey, im looking for the Mag lugs. having trouble finding them i see some online, but am not sure if they will work.

i need to get a number off the wheels to see if i can identify something from the manufacture. anyone have any good suggestions on what may work.

 

hello. just a update for everyone who has helped.

so far i may have found another donor truck, his is a 460 5 speed. 88 year truck.

wheels. i had to use standard acorn type lugs, it seems the wheels are set up for acorn as i can't find a mag that will fit. so im ok there.

i am picking up some center caps for the wheels tomorrow. ill try to remember to post some pictures of the truck.

 

update on this idea/project.


looks like i may have finally found a donor truck. 91 with same engine trans combo.

will hopefully get a look at this truck this weekend my dad picked it up in the middle of another deal.

is there anything to be on the look out for on a 91 that i would need to change for something?

this should be the ifs instead of the solid axel id like but i think i can live with it for now. perhaps ill change it later or find another truck at some point.

 

91 f250 351 zf5 4wd donor truck door tag says 10/91





this is my truck as is 2wd
89 f250 351 zf5



so there is the proposed swap from truck to truck. take parts from the rusted red one and put them into my truck. ive read a few posts about swapping and im fairly certain i can handle it.. but i would like to get some input if there should be something i need to know that would make it not worth my time at all.