I have a line, on a VERY VERY CLEAN 1979 F250 Supercab XLT LARIAT will ALL the options.
Less than 75K (verified) miles. This baby is SUPER nice, no issues!
Literally owned by a little old man (he's in his 80's now, original owner)

Biggest problem... it's a 4x2 I want/have to have a 4x4. So...

Do I spend the money and convert it (I've read all the pro's and con's on this
all over this forum and others). or... do I wait for something as FINE... with 4x4

OPINIONS PLEASE.

 

Wait until a 4x4 chasis becomes available or a complete parts truck .. Be patient .. In the mean time if it is as good as you say start the process of converting by by pulling the cab off and doing what it needs to body and whatever else is needed while waiting for 4x4 chasis ..

 

You're not too far away from Wyoming there, check this one out.
Ford F-250 | ksl.com

 

Hmm good question. If you have the coin, the shop and the time to take it on then you'll do it because of the project and challenge. Having a clean body to start with certainly helps. But, if you are patient, then maybe you should pass and just hold out for what you really want. When it's all done you will have invested X and it will be worth something less than X.

From a buyer's perspective, I'm not certain I would want to buy someone's conversion. I am thinking in terms of its future value when you might want to recover some of your investment and get something else. I'm also curious as to the implications on the vehicle's title.

 

Hmmm, that's an angle I've not considered. You have a good point here that I didn't think about.
But how often do 'we' consider the back end (selling our project down the road). Not something I was even considering.

thanks for offering that perspective.

 

I did the same thing. I had a clean 74 supercab 2wd clean title clean straight body and I ran across a rotted out 79 4x4 supercab did a body swap and it went great. the 2wd you can get would be a great start. I would start beating the pavement for a beat up rusted out supercab 4x4 I paid $250. converting the 2wd is alot of head ache but very possible. good luck. check out my truck in my profile it's 4 sale and now completed

 

Are you still wanting to do the the 460 ?

 

who you askin?

 

You .. I quoted you

 

Ive already done a couple 460's. I dont understand what you meant.

 

Never mind I misread your visitor message board .. It was posted by someone else .. sorry for the confusion

 

How good of a deal are you talking about? If you really think that this truck is so nice that you could buy all the 4x4 parts required and still come out ahead $ wise then go for it.

Do you plan on lifting this truck once it's converted to 4x4? If so then the 2x4 front cross member may not be an issue and in that case I'd find a highboy divorced np205 and add the suspension and front axle. If you want it stock height then a frame swap is probably the best way.

One option to consider is keeping the front coils, you have the buckets there already and if you do not need the dana 60 strength then you could find a f150 or bronco d44 with the coil and radius arm setup already there. It would need an 8 lug conversion but that's not too hard.Good Luck

 

Too many factors on whether to do it or not... Depends on time, tools, money, facilities, and mechanical knowledge.

 

All good points there any one of them could be a show stopper for sure .. Plus a practical understanding of how much time/energy commitment it actually is, even if you start with good parts ..

 

Ding!

All these 2WD to 4WD conversion questions is derived from looking at the project with eyes wide open but not looking at the details.

Few have succeeded and I am sure much more than a few have conversion projects languishing in the yard, the barn, or garage.

REALITY CHECK!!!